About The Song
Don Williams sowed the seeds of his solo career in the fertile fields of JMI Records. At JMI, Don observed what he considered brilliant creative forces which, unfortunately, far overran the company’s poor administrative ability (aka, low money), ultimately bringing down the label.
JMI stood for “Jack Music, Inc.,” so named by its owner – music business veteran “Cowboy” Jack Clement, a long-time associate of Sam Phillips at the Sun Studio in Memphis, and the producer of many of Johnny Cash’s early hits. His conglomerate in Nashville included the JMI record company, a publishing business and “Jack Clement Studios” (later called “Sound Emporium”), with most of these ventures run by Allen Reynolds. In his role as producer, Reynolds helmed Don Williams’ first two albums.
In the beginning, Don Williams worked as a songwriter and a song plugger for Clement’s publishing company, but he was frustrated in both areas. He pitched quality songs for JMI all over Nashville, but producers frequently told him that he should record them himself.
Williams reluctantly agreed and, beginning in 1972, Don released five JMI singles. Four sides reached the top 20 of the Billboard country chart, a stellar showing for an independent record label. The best performer was 1974’s “We Should Be Together,” which peaked at #5.
From the start of Williams’ recording career, one of his frequent song suppliers was fellow JMI writer Bob McDill. Over time, McDill contributed over a dozen hits to Don’s catalog, including his third #1 single, “(Turn Out the Light and) Love Me Tonight.”
McDill remembers looking at this as “just another little song,” not really thinking too strongly about it. However, Chuck Neese, who was pitching songs for the company, was excited about “(Turn Out the Light and) Love Me Tonight” and thought it would be a huge hit for someone. In stepped Don Williams. They played it for him and it all came together the way Neese predicted it would. In its 12th week, “(Turn Out the Light and) Love Me Tonight” eased into the #1 position of Billboard’s “Hot Country Singles” chart on November 1, 1975.
Video
Lyrics
I’ve been lonesome I’ve been empty I got an achin’ way down inside
I need someone someone to hold me
Pull down the shade turn out the light and love me tonight
Don’t think about tomorrow it don’t matter anymore
We can turn the key and lock the world outside the door
I need you so now come on let go now
Kick off your shoes turn out the light and love me tonight
Now don’t you worry we’re all alone now let your hair down sit by my side
Turn off the TV put on some music
Pull down the shade turn out the light and love me tonight
Don’t think about tomorrow