Story Behind The Song
This song was written when AIDS was first discovered and legions of men fell to it. Of course, in particular gay men who consciously engaged in a lifestyle dominated by casual sex. It's a view of how one decision which wasn't really thought about had far reaching effects, and how victims suffered not only physically, but became outcasts as the world was gripped by fear of the unknown.
Song Description
A story following one night in a gay man's life indulging in casual, unprotected sex, and the dire consequences of AIDS which included homophobia, widespread fear and social stigma during the beginning of the disease's era.
| Song Length |
3:42 |
Genre |
Pop - Easy Listening, R & B - General |
| Tempo |
Medium Slow (91 - 110) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Moving, Poignant |
Subject |
Diseases, Suicide |
| Language |
English |
Era |
1980 - 1989 |
Lyrics
Tonight
Tonight you died and you didn?t know
Tonight you gave your life away
You can?t fight the things you don?t know
You won?t win in the end
Hide away from the questioning eyes
You don?t want to offend
Tonight you died and you didn?t know
Tonight you gave your life away
Want to shout tell the world what it?s like
But you can?t find the words to say
?Bout the pain, the suffering
They?re not listening anyway
Tonight you died and you didn?t know
Tonight you gave your life away
Now that your gone yesterday?s news
They don?t give a damn
Turn their heads walk away
Don?t want to understand
Chorus (repeats till fade away):
Tonight you died and you didn?t know
Tonight you gave your life away