Last week, Jim teased out the first letters of our surnames (those of us who wanted to enter into the spirit of the thing, at any rate). Now, he wants to know about our first, ‘given’, names.

So now you know: my first name begins with ‘B’ – and so does this great rocker, co-written by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith. Almost certainly, you will already be familiar with it and it’s been covered by very many other artistes. To me, however, Patti Smith’s own version, as released on her 1977 album ‘Easter’ has never been bettered.

By the way, this video is pulled from a 1978 edition of the BBC’s seminal ‘Old Grey Whistle Test’.

Take me now baby here as I am
Pull me close, try and understand
Desire is hunger is the fire I breathe
Love is a banquet on which we feed

Come on now try and understand
The way I feel when I’m in your hands
Take my hand come undercover
They can’t hurt you now,
Can’t hurt you now, can’t hurt you now
Because the night belongs to lovers
Because the night belongs to lust
Because the night belongs to lovers
Because the night belongs to us

Have I doubt when I’m alone
Love is a ring, the telephone
Love is an angel disguised as lust
Here in our bed until the morning comes
Come on now try and understand
The way I feel under your command
Take my hand as the sun descends
They can’t touch you now,
Can’t touch you now, can’t touch you now
Because the night belongs to lovers …

With love we sleep
With doubt the vicious circle
Turn and burns
Without you I cannot live
Forgive, the yearning burning
I believe it’s time, too real to feel
So touch me now, touch me now, touch me now
Because the night belongs to lovers …

Because tonight there are two lovers
If we believe in the night we trust
Because tonight there are two lovers …

Written by Patti Smith and Bruce Springsteen

Song Lyric Sunday 4 August 2024