No matter how hard the music a rock band plays, there is almost always a beautiful ballad in their discography. Such tracks help to break through on the radio and reach out to girlish hearts, which are not always ready for hard rock.
Many hard rock bands have failed to record anything worthwhile in this format, but Cinderella is not one of them. Her repertoire has enough excellent ballads, and Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone) has become the band’s hallmark.
Story and Meaning of Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)
The title Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone) by itself perfectly explains the meaning of the song. They say that you have – do not keep, lose – cry. And then you can imagine yourself. Whether the text of the composition is based on some personal story, I don’t know.
Don’t Know What You Got by Tony Kiefer. Cinderella recorded it at Bearville Studios (Woodstock, New York) in the summer of 1988.
Release and achievements
In August, the song was released as a single from the album Long Cold Winter. It proved to be the most successful track in Cinderella’s history, climbing to number twelfth on the Billboard Hot 100.
When Tom Kiefer was asked if any of the members of Cinderella thought Don’t Know What You Got Till It’s Gone would become so popular, the band’s frontman replied:
Not really. Of course, I like this song and I knew it was a good song, but you can never be sure that it will be successful. This one is definitely like that. We’ve been enjoying it for many years now, and I think the listeners do too.
It seems to me that this song and its words are close to many. It’s still one of the songs I love to play live – if not my favorite. It is also one of my favorite songs that I have written myself. But at the time it was just another good song, and of course I knew it was good enough to put on the record.
TheVinylDistrict.com
Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone) – Cinderella Video
The music video was filmed near Mono Lake and in Bodie, California.
Interesting Facts
- The song is featured in the movie “The Wrestler” starring Mickey Rourke and in one of the episodes of “South Park”.
- Tom Kiefer recorded an acoustic version of Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone) for VH1 Classic’s Metal Mania Stripped.
Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone) Lyrics Cinderella
I can’t tell you, baby, what went wrong
I can’t make you feel what you felt so long ago,
I’ll let it show
I can’t give you back what’s been hurt
Heartaches come and go
And all that’s left are the words
I can’t let go
If we take some time to think it over baby
Take some time, let me know
If you really wanna go
chorus:
Don’t know what you got till it’s gone
Don’t know what it is I did so wrong
Now I know what I got, it’s just this song
And it ain’t easy to get back, takes so long
I can’t feel the things that cause you pain
I can’t clear my heart of your love,
It falls like rain
Ain’t the same
I hear you calling far away
Tearing through my soul
I just can’t take another day
Who’s to blame?
If we take some time to think it over baby
Take some time, let me know
If you really wanna go
Do you wanna see me beggin’, baby?
Can’t you give me just one more day?
Can’t you see my heart’s been draggin’ lately?
I’ve been lookin’ for the words to say
Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone) Lyrics Cinderella Alternative
I can’t tell you baby what went wrong
I can’t make you feel the way I did years ago
You will see for yourself
I can’t make you forget the past heartache
Suffering comes and goes
Leaving only words behind
that I can’t forget
If we need time to think things over, baby
No need to rush, let me know
If you really want to leave
Chorus:
Don’t appreciate what you have until you lose it
I don’t know what I did wrong
Now I understand that I have – only this song
And it’s not easy to get it all back – it takes time
I can’t feel what hurts you
I can’t take your love out of my heart
She’s like pouring rain
And not the same as before
I hear you calling from afar
Tormenting my soul
I can not do it anymore
But who is to blame?
If we need time to think things over, baby
No need to rush, let me know
If you really want to leave
Do you want to hear my pleas, baby?
Why can’t you give me one more day?
Can’t you see how my heart is breaking?
I’ve been looking for the right words for a long time
Song quote
This is probably our most famous song… It’s about what many people have felt many times in their lives… I never get tired of playing this song
Tom Kiefer, SomethingElseReviews.com
