Expert: Bong Santos - 2/18/2008

Question
Hi Bong,

I'm back again with two more song questions.  The first song was played around the 80's and goes something like this.  "I sit alone in my empty room, waiting for a sign.  I'm tired of guessing at what to do.  So many crazy thoughts are in my mind, I know that they're untrue.  Am I in love or just a fool for you?... You never told me you love me, I know you're not to blame, it's just the way you play your game.  You never told me you love me, but I'll get by somehow.  You never told me you love me, so why should you care now."  I tried researching the song, I thought David Gates sang this one because the voice sounded just like him.  However, I went through his discography and could not find the song in his collection.  I'd be really grateful if you can provide the actual singer and lyrics for this song.

The second song is very vague and I only know maybe the title.  The song is, "I'd give you anything".  It has an eerie tone to it and was popular in the late 70's or early 80's too.  If you could help with the artist and lyrics, that would be awesome.

Bong, I'd like to thank you for being the great facilitator of these 80's music.  You have a wonderful gift and I'm glad you are around to help us lost souls.  Thank you so much for what you do!

Alec

Answer
Dear Alec,

YOU NEVER TOLD ME YOU LOVE ME is by the Seattle group GABRIEL. Fronted by lead vocalist/songwriter/guitarist FRANK BUTORACI, they never made it big in the US, collecting only one Hot 100 hit, MARTHA (YOUR LOVERS COME AND GO) from their fourth album GABRIEL, released in 1978. MARTHA  (YOUR LOVERS COME AND GO) peaked at a lowly #73 back in October 21, 1978. Other members include keyboard player STACY CHRISTENSON, drummer MICHAEL KINDERS, guitarist TERRY LAUBER and bass player GARY RUHLS. FRANK went on to front the group FRANKIE BLEU. YOU NEVER TOLD ME YOU LOVE ME was from their 1975 album THIS STAR ON EVERY HEEL.

Here's how it goes:

YOU NEVER TOLD ME YOU LOVE ME / GABRIEL

I sit alone in my empty room
Waiting for a sign
Is this the way you show you’re mine?

So many crazy thoughts are in my head
But I know they’re untrue
Am I in love or just a fool for you?

Chorus:
You never told me you love me
I know you’re not to blame
It’s just the way you play your game
You never told me you love me
But I’ll get by somehow
You never told me you love me
So why should you care now?

Night after night I’d sit and wait for you
But you rarely show
I get the feeling it’s time to go.

Are you sincere or just passing time
With someone who loves you
I’m tired of guessing at what to do.
(Repeat Chorus)

The other song would be I'D GIVE YOU ANYTHING by RODWAY. RODWAY is an 80s pop rock band who released a successful album here in the Philippines back in 1983 called HORIZONTAL HOLD, from where the song was culled. Another hit from that album was DON'T STOP TRYING. Here's the lyrics:

I'D GIVE YOU ANYTHING / RODWAY

Life's a lonely stage
The actor's play their parts
Tonight will be the same
Tonight we'll be some petty hearts.

Chorus 1:
(And) I'd give you anything
I'd give you anything
I'd give you anything (anything)
If you'd give to me.

It's no use tryin' the phone
I can't wait around tonight
And though the winter maybe cold
It's still summer in my fickle mind.

Chorus 2:
I'd give you anything
If you'd give to me
I'd give you anything
You mean the world to me, yeah.

Bridge:
How can I (how can I), I can't carry on now
Why don't I (why don't I). I don't feel so strong now
How can I, how can I?
How in the world can I carry on?
(Instrumental)
(Repeat Bridge except last 2 words)
Oh, I can't carry on, no no.
(Repeat Chorus 1 except last line)
Coda:
If you'd give, if you'd give
If you'd give to me.

Maraming salamat po!!

BONG M. SANTOS
Manila, Philippines