I'd Really Love To See You Tonight

Album: Nights Are Forever (1976)
Charted: 26 2
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Songfacts®:

  • The 1970's were the peak time for this duo, and this was their biggest hit. A man wants to see his former love again, even though it won't be for anything long-term. Even though the lyrics are a proposal for a one-night-stand, the song remains a Soft Rock favorite, as it takes a keen listen to get the message. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Santa Barbara, CA
  • England Dan is Dan Seals, who had a series of country hits after he stopped performing with Coley in 1980. His older brother Jim was the Seals of Seals & Crofts, who had the hit "Summer Breeze."
  • Seals and Coley met in high school. This was their first single, and they followed it up with several other light favorites, including "Nights Are Forever Without You" and "We'll Never Have To Say Goodbye Again."
  • This was written by a Mississippi songwriter named Parker McGee, who also wrote "Nights Are Forever Without You."
  • When "I'd Really Love To See You Tonight" was played to an executive at Atlantic Records, he turned it down. However Doug Morris of Big Tree Records heard the song through the wall of his over-joining office and offered the duo a contract.
  • One of the great misheard lyrics appears in this song: "I'm not talking about movin' in" is often heard as "I'm not talking about the linen."

Comments: 35

  • Cb from Colorado Via Missouri Almost ForeverThis song strikes me between the eyes. I had a nice relationship with a girl in college but ghosted her for my wife. They both attended the same college which made for an awkward situation. Covid gave me the opportunity to reconnect with all sorts of people including some exes, especially the one I left behind. I contacted her to profusely apologize and see how life has treated her, hopefully better than my experience with my wife who has Alzheimer's for perhaps 10 years. So yes my intent was to only talk & hang out as the song says, however should circumstances allow it, who knows?
  • Marge from MichiganWhat a beautiful song.
    So sweet and tender.
    America really produced some great music over the years.
    The seventies were a fun time. I noticed they all kind of had long hair.
    Just a special song.
  • Pete from Nowra AustraliaI thought they were saying I'm not talking about my lady.
  • Rnmorton from PaI just heard this in a restaurant and I always thought it said "I'm not talking about the movin in", i.e., this is a one-nighter. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
  • Afternoon Delight from Palm Coast FlThey were told to not sing I'm not talking 'bout my movin' in they rushed to get the recording right and had to pick some sound alike garbage at the last minute 'Ma lin ee in'
  • Lost-in-dixie from MemphisIt's "I don't want to shave your wife."
  • Sally from UkA beautiful 1977 memory still.
  • Suzukisue from Newport Its definitely not talking about movin in. It either linen or living. I've gone over it and over it . Love the song regardless
  • Gump from LaSure sounds like meridian
  • Kai from UsaI remember this. Used to crack up foks when as a kid I sang,
    I'm not talking about the lemon.
    And I don't wanna change your mind
    But there's a war going on it's so far out
    And I'd really love to see you tonight.
  • Seventhmist from 7th HeavenThis song, along with their "We'll Never Have to Say Goodbye Again," bring the 70s back to me so pleasantly.
  • Sean from NjDefinitely about a booty call. He's not tryina have a relationship with his ex, nor does he care how he gets her in the sack.
  • Tony from Cape CodThis song has zero meaning to me if he is not singing about LINEN. If he's not, he needs a diction coach. And possibly a launderer.
  • Tony from San DiegoThis one always reminds me of an old girlfriend, Phyl. She's contacted me over the years and still looks fantastic. If she's never heard this song maybe I could use these lines on her, lol.
  • Susan from Atlanta, GeorgiaXavier of Troutdale: "I won't ask for promises, so you don't have to lie" rang just the opposite for me -- as if he's saying, "I'm not going to push for permanent, so you don't have to come up with false reasons not to see me". Just my take on it.
    Anyway, loved this song from day one.
    Does anyone know where the name "England Dan" originated and why?
  • Kim from PaThis song...every time I hear it, I can't ignore it...I immediately think of an old boyfriend, not always the same one :) - it's just a beautiful wistful song...that brings out all those old feelings that never really go away! - So yes Ed-Hollywood, I've been there :) (oh also I've always sung "movin' in" :) )
  • Ed from HollywoodNot a booty call song (check out Last Request by Paolo Nutini for a beautiful one of those). "We could go walking through a windy park/ Or take a drive along the beach/ Or stay at home and watch tv/ You see it really doesn't matter much to me." "And I really do miss your smile." "I guess I really just wanted to talk to you." Have you never been there?
  • Camille from Toronto, OhFirst, this is an absolutely beautiful song which stands the test of time. By that, I mean it still sounds as good in 2014 as it did back in 1976. England Dan and John Ford Coley have an amazing sound and I love their hits. Now, in 1976, for the average guy or gal, moving in with someone before marriage was not common. I was in my late teens, and I was one of the first people I know who ever lived with a guy without marrying him (didn't work out, btw). So I think people weren't tuned in to that expression which is why it was often misinterpreted. However, I always heard the right words, 'movin' in'. On the other hand, I agree with Lalah from AK, that I still allow myself to sing, "there's a cool wind blowin' the stars around" rather than "there's a cool wind blowin', the stars are out". The former just sounds more poetic and definitely possible. Having said all this, and agreeing that it's a beautiful song, nowadays this would be labeled a booty call tune. Love it, tho!
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn August 14th 1976, England Dan & John Ford Coley performed "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight" on the ABC-TV program 'American Bandstand'...
    Two months earlier on June 6th, 1976 it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #89; and on September 19th, 1976 it peaked at #2 {for 2 weeks} and spent almost a half-year on the Top 100 {24 weeks}...
    And on August 15th, 1976 it reached #1 {for 1 week} on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Tracks chart {also peaked at #1 on the Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary chart}...
    The two weeks it was at #2 on the Top 100; the #1 record for both those weeks was "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry...
    Between June 1976 and March 1980 the duo had nine Top 100 records, with four making the Top 10, the others were "Nights Are Forever Without You" {#10 in 1976}, "We'll Never Have to Goodbye Again" {#9 in 1978}, and "Love Is the Answer" {#10 in 1979}...
    R.I.P. 'England' Dan Seals {1948 - 2009} and John Ford Coley will celebrate his 66th birthday in two months on October 13th, 2014.
  • Paul from Gold Coast, AustraliaHe's definitely not talking about the linen, but I don't want to change your mind.
  • Michael from Torrance, CaAs a kid, I really liked this song, but as an adult, I love this new, heartfelt version. And yes, for decades I have wondered what in the world the duo were saying. It still sounds to me like "Ba-Lidian," which is not even a word. "Movin' in" = two syllables, what they sing = 4 syllables. I still wonder what they were really saying (they were NOT singing "Movin' In" at the time. My living in? My leadin' in? My movin' in? Bolivian? I wish John Ford Coley would chime in.
  • Sarx from Tucson, AzKaren, when I head this, on the mono AM radio in my car, I always thought it was "millennium" too. I took that as meaning a metaphorical thousand years, a long lasting relationship. So I wasn't that far off.

    This song came out shortly after I broke up with my First Love. It was never going to work out, we amplified each others worst traits, and the smartest thing we ever did was we both realized that and broke it off before we did too much damage to each other. But every time this song came on I couldn't help but think "Just one more night."
  • Lalah from Wasilla, AkI heard this on the radio on my ride home tonight and had to find out if it was "I'm not talking about the linen" or "Im not talking about belitlin" so, now I know. Now, how come nobody mentions that "there's a warm wind blowing the stars around"?
  • Karen from Manchester, NhI used to think that the line was, "I'm not talking about the millennium"...yeah, like THAT makes more sense... :)
  • Joyce from Houston, TxI alway that he was saying "I'm not talkin bout linen" too.
  • Sheryl from Kennewick, WaThis is one of my fiance and I favorite songs to hear on the radio in the summer with the cool breezes blowing and the windows down, absolutely love this song!!!
  • Michael from Washington Township, OhIt is definitely the following: I'm not talkin' 'bout movin' in .
  • Xavier from Troutdale, AlAlways sounded to me like ". . . not talkin' 'bout meridian", but that's just crazy.
    Actually what always irritated the heck out of me was the line "I won't ask for promises, so you don't have to lie". I mean, here is this guy giving a line of b.s. to get this gal in the sack, and he's telling HER that HE won't ask for promises so that SHE doesn't "have to lie" as if she's the one who is so all fired anxious to get him in the sack that she's likely to say just about anything he wants to hear. I know it's just "pop" and it doesn't have to make perfect sense, but it's just always struck me as something only an arrogant jerk would say.
  • Joe from Fort Mitchell, KyI just saw John Ford Coley at a local wine festival in Maysville KY. He put on a really good show and he mentioned the misheard lyrics. He went on to emphasize the words "movin' in" Pretty good stuff.
  • Tom from Lafayette, GaJohn Ford Coley played the stepfather of Meredith Salenger in the 1989 movie dream a little dream starring Corey Feldman & Corey Haim.
  • Carrie from Roanoke, VaTo me, the "linen" line means that he doesn'twant to settle down with her. The word "linen" has connotations of home and domesticity.
  • Dana from Orland Park, IlIt absolutely sounds like I'm not talking about the linen and despite this saying no, I believe it is. It makes perfect sense. Sheets are linen. I'm not talking about hitting the sheets. Not talking about sleeping together and I don't want to change your life. Great song with linen. I don't hear movin' in at all.
  • Steven from Gibsonia , PaIt sure sounds like it's :I'm not talking about the linen", but that doesn't make any sense.
  • Joycemorrison from Ph, ->"England Dan is Dan Seals, who had a series of Country hits after he stopped performing with Coley in 1980. His older brother Jim was the Seals of Seals And Crofts, who had the hit "Summer Breeze.""

    i didn't know! wow.
    as for the song--it's a classic. love and affection that's gentle, unobtrusive.

  • Kevin from Reading , PaI was 14 when this song was popular, and for the life of me, I didn't know he was singing "I'm not talkin 'bout movin' in . . . " It always sounded to me like "I'm not talkin' bout the linen . . . " Didn't know why he would be singing about linen, but I just didn't hear "movin in."
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