Unveiling the Tale Behind Eddie Rabbitt’s Iconic Hit: “I Just Want to Love You”
Authored by Eddie Rabbitt, Even Stevens, and David Malloy, this classic track soared to the number one spot in 1978, etching itself into the annals of music history. Yet, what lies beneath the surface of this timeless melody is a story as captivating as the song itself.
Now, you might be wondering, who is Even Stevens? Well, it turns out his moniker didn’t originate from birth but from a twist of fate during his days as a Coast Guard radio operator in Ohio. His penchant for rhyming correspondence earned him the nickname “Even” from his pen pals. Not exactly enamored with the name, Even later embraced it when he ventured into the world of songwriting, understanding that it would make a lasting impression.
Even’s journey to the heart of the music industry reads like a classic songwriter’s odyssey. On the recommendation of a musical uncle who played drums near the hallowed Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Even made his way to Music City. One fateful night, he listened to his uncle’s beats in a dimly lit bar on Broadway and, after the final set, picked up a stray guitar to play one of his own compositions. Fortunes smiled upon him when Webb Pierce, a prominent figure in the music scene, happened to be in the audience and heard Even’s rendition of “Fair Weather Friends.” In a stroke of destiny, Pierce offered him a coveted writer’s contract with Cedarwood Publishing, sealing Even’s fate as a Nashville songwriter. Living out of a converted mail truck for a year, Even’s tenacity and passion were unwavering.
It was in the bustling heart of Nashville that Even Stevens crossed paths with Eddie Rabbitt. They became inseparable collaborators, often spending marathon sessions crafting songs for up to eighteen hours a day. Their artistic synergy was undeniable, and their partnership thrived.
One such whirlwind session birthed “I Just Want To Love You.” Picture this: Eddie Rabbitt, surrounded by session musicians, walks into the studio with nothing more than half a verse and half a chorus. A mere fifteen minutes earlier, he and Even had conjured these embryonic lyrics in a nearby office while eagerly awaiting the 6:00 PM recording session. Without hesitation, they shared their nascent creation with the assembled musicians, stating, “We don’t have this song fully fleshed out yet, but it goes something like this.”
Intriguingly, “I Just Want To Love You” is a medley of three separate songs, the remnants of previous creative endeavors by Rabbitt and Stevens. Some portions were sublime, while others languished in obscurity. With audacious spontaneity, they pieced together the choicest sections, crafting a bridge on the spot that would meld these disparate fragments into a harmonious whole. The alchemy was magical, and “I Just Want To Love You” emerged as a unified masterpiece.
Admittedly, it might have seemed like a gamble, cobbling together a hit song on the fly, but it paid off in spades. On December 2, 1978, “I Just Want To Love You” ascended to the pinnacle of the charts, becoming Eddie Rabbitt’s third of an astonishing seventeen number one hits.
In the world of music, serendipity often meets sweat and inspiration, and “I Just Want To Love You” is a shining testament to the indomitable spirit of two gifted songsmiths, Eddie Rabbitt and Even Stevens. Their story reminds us that greatness often emerges from the unlikeliest of places, and that even a half-formed melody can evolve into a timeless anthem when touched by the hands of genius.
Album: Variations
Artist: Eddie Rabbitt
Released: 1978
Lyrics
I was just passing through
Wasn’t staying long till I met you
And when you said, “Hello” my heart just knew
What else could I do?
Stand right here and fall in love with you
Girl, you’re almost too good to be true
Now we’re swayin’ to the music
And your body’s soft and warm
Flowin’ with the feelin’
Here in my arms
I just want to love you
I just want to hold you tight
Lay right here with you all night
I just want to love you
I just wanna make you mine
Tonight untill the end of time
I just want to love you
What good is life if you
Don’t take a chance on love a time or two
And I want to take my chance with you
‘Cause it could be so sweet
As long as you’re close to me
There’s nothing in this world we couldn’t be
Now we’re swayin’ to the music
And your body’s soft and warm
Flowin’ with the feelin’
Here in my arms
I just want to love you
I just want to hold you tight
Lay right here with you all night
I just want to love you
I just wanna make you mine
Tonight untill the end of time
I just want to love you
I just wanna make you mine
Tonight untill the end of time
I just want to love you
I just want to love you
Oo, let me love you
Oh, let me love you
Let me love you
