The song “Penny Lover” was the last single from Lionel Richie’s popular album “Can’t Slow Down,” which came out in 1983. Lionel Richie, along with his then-wife Brenda Harvey Richie, wrote the song.
In this sweet and romantic song, Lionel Richie reflects on the moment he met his loved one and expresses his wish for them to stay together forever.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the lyrics to understand their deeper meaning.
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“Penny Lover” Lyrics Meaning
[Chorus 1]
Penny lover, don’t walk on by
Penny lover, don’t you make me cry
Can’t you see, girl, who my heart’s beating for?
You’re the only girl that I adore
In Chorus 1, the singer is addressing someone called “Penny lover,” which is likely a term of endearment. It might not have a literal meaning related to money or pennies; instead, it’s a nickname or pet name he uses to show his love and devotion.
He pleads with Penny lover not to ignore him or hurt him because his heart belongs to her.
He emphasizes that she is the only girl he truly adores.
[Verse 1]
The first time I saw you
Oh, you looked so fine
And I had a feeling
One day you’d be mine
Honey, you came along and captured my heart
Now my love is somewhere lost in your kiss
When I’m all alone it’s you that I miss
Girl, a love like yours is hard to resist, oh
In Verse 1, the singer reflects on the first time he saw the person he’s singing to.
He thought she looked wonderful and had a feeling that they would be together one day.
He describes how she captured his heart. Now, he’s deeply in love with her, and her kiss has a special place in his heart.
When he’s alone, he misses her, and he finds it hard to resist a love like hers.
[Chorus 2]
Penny lover, my love’s on fire
Penny lover, you’re my one desire
Tell me, baby, could this be true?
That I could need someone like I need you?
In Chorus 2, the singer expresses how intensely he feels for the person he’s singing to.
He describes his love as being on fire and declares that she is his one and only desire.
He asks her if it’s possible that he could need someone as much as he needs her, emphasizing the depth of his feelings.
[Verse 2]
Nights warm and tender
Lying next to you
Girl, I surrender
What more can I do?
I’ve spent all of my life in search of your love
Now there’s one more thing I’d like to say
Don’t you ever take your sweet love away
Girl, I’ll do anything, just please stay, oh
In Verse 2, the singer talks about intimate moments spent with the person he loves. He mentions the warmth and tenderness of their nights together.
He expresses his surrender to his feelings and asks what more he can do to show his love.
He’s spent his life searching for her love, and now that he has found it, he pleads with her not to take her love away.
He is willing to do anything to make her stay by his side.
[Bridge]
I don’t understand it, oh, what’s come over me?
But I’m not gonna worry, no, not anymore
‘Cause when a man’s in love, he’s only got one story
That’s why my love is somewhere lost in your kiss
When I’m lost and alone it’s you that I miss
With a love like yours, it’s hard to resist, oh
(I’m gonna say this again)
In the Bridge, the singer expresses his confusion and astonishment at the overwhelming emotions he’s experiencing.
He acknowledges that he won’t worry anymore because, when a man is in love, there’s only one thing that matters.
He reiterates that his love is deeply connected to the person’s kiss, and when he’s lost or alone, he misses her.
He emphasizes that her love is irresistible to him, reinforcing the strength of his feelings.
[Chorus 3]
Penny lover, don’t you walk on by (Don’t you walk on by)
Penny lover, don’t you make me cry (Don’t you make me cry, baby)
Penny lover, don’t you walk on by (Don’t you walk on by)
Penny lover, don’t you make me cry (Oh, penny baby)
Penny lover, don’t you walk on by (Don’t you walk on by)
In Chorus 3, the singer repeats his plea to the person he’s addressing, “Penny lover,” not to walk by him or make him cry.
He repeats this request several times, expressing his longing for her and his desire for her not to ignore him or cause him pain.
It reinforces the idea of his deep affection and need for her presence in his life.
[Outro]
I remember the first time I saw you baby
Penny lover, don’t you make me cry
You had the look in your eye, you had the look in your eye, yeah, yeah
Ooh, pretty baby
I just wanted to reach out and touch you, baby
I wanna reach out and hold you, I wanna reach out and say ooh
Woah, oh no, now
Don’t make me cry
I wanna talk about you every day (Penny lover)
Need you, baby (Ooh), need you, baby
Oh, penny (Penny lover, ooh)
Oh, penny baby
Can’t you see I need you, baby? (Penny lover, ooh)
Don’t you walk on by, ooh (Penny lover, ooh)
Can’t you see that I need you, baby?
My penny (Penny lover, ooh)
Don’t you walk on by, oh, oh, penny
My baby
Don’t you walk on by
In the Outro, the singer reminisces about the first time he saw the person he loves, expressing a strong desire to reach out and touch her.
He recalls the look in her eyes and his longing to hold her. He repeats his plea not to make him cry and expresses his need for her.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Penny Lover”
Lionel Richie’s hit song ‘Penny Lover’ is a love ballad that takes you back to the 1980s. The song is about Richie remembering the early days of his relationship with his lover and hoping she won’t leave him.
The singer describes how he first saw his lover and how that moment left an indelible mark on his heart. He yearns for her presence and expresses a burning passion for her.
The singer pleads with the “Penny Lover” not to walk away or make him cry. In the lines “Now there’s one more thing I’d like to say, Don’t you ever take your sweet love away, Girl, I’ll do anything, just please stay, oh,” the singer conveys his unwavering commitment to the relationship. He’s willing to do anything to make the loved one stay.
The term “Penny Lover” likely doesn’t have a literal or symbolic meaning related to money or pennies. Instead, it serves as an affectionate nickname for the beloved. It reflects the singer’s tenderness and admiration for the person he adores.
The music video also references the name ‘Penny Lover.’ In the video, Richie portrays a nightclub owner who is reminiscing about an affair with a cocktail waitress named Penny. Despite his sincere love for her, Penny left him for her assertive boyfriend. Therefore, the song becomes a beautiful but bittersweet tale of lost love.
Decades later, ‘Penny Lover’ received a country makeover when The Band Perry performed a country version in 2012 for the televised concert ‘ACM Presents: Lionel Richie and Friends In Concert.’ This song truly stands the test of time!
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