For My Sunday Song #437, we are taking one of the best power ballads from the Hair Band era, “Don’t Close Your Eyes” by the band Kix. The song is off their 1988 album ‘Blow My Fuse’ and was the 5th single off the album. The song was released on May 12, 1989 and went all the to #11 on the Hot 100 just missing a Top 10 song. The song also went Gold selling over half a million copies. Donnie Purnell, from the band, was their main songwriter. He collaborated on this song with John Palumbo from the band Crack The Sky and Bob Halligan Jr., who made his mark writing songs for Judas Priest.
The song an anti-suicide song. Someone has taken a bunch of pills and called for help. The person who received the call is giving a heart wrenching plea for the caller to stay awake and not fall asleep. The person pleading to hold on tight and they are praying to the Lord to keep their soul. Help is on the way. Damn…so powerful and so dark. A power ballad that is far from a love song. The lyric of “Don’t sing your last lullaby” is so strong and hits you between the eyes. It also makes me wonder if that person didn’t make it and went to the other side. Whatever the outcome, a moving song regardless.
Musically, it opens with a piano, wind blowing and an overall very haunting opening. The guitars, the bass and the drums are all subtle, nothing overpowering as the focus is the vocals of Steve Whiteman. He really sells the story as you can hear the sadness and feel the pain of those lyrics. It feels like a very personal song to the band. There is a great instrumental break, but again, it doesn’t show off and is simply for the song, the way hit should be.
Give the song a listen and let me know what you think. Do you remember this song from back in the day? Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you all have a wonderful and Happy Sunday, despite the dark topic.
“Don’t Close Your Eyes”
Whatcha doing out in the night time
Why’d ya’ call me on the phone
Your mama can’t solve your problems
When’s daddy ever gonna get home
So you did your little move and cried
In the middle of a suicide
Don’t close your eyes
Don’t close your eyes
Don’t sing your last lullaby
There’s no one there to hold you
No one hears your scream
You live life up and down
Your nightmare’s are your dreams
I know it’s lonely when your hanging ’round
Don’t ya’ take it lying down – no, no
Hold on – Hold on tight
I’ll make everything all right
Wake up – Don’t go to sleep
I pray the lord your soul to keep
Don’t close your eyes
Don’t close your eyes
Don’t sing your last lullaby
Don’t close your eyes
Don’t close your eyes
Don’t sing your last lullaby
Writer(s): Robert Sidney Jr. Halligan, Donald Kevin Purnell, John Palumbo
