About The Song
In the illustrious career of Conway Twitty, I Want to Know You Before We Make Love, released in 1987 as the second single from his album Borderline, stands as a soulful testament to his mastery of country music’s romantic storytelling. Written by Becky Hobbs and Candy Parton, this heartfelt ballad captures a man’s desire to deepen emotional intimacy before physical connection, resonating deeply with mature listeners who cherish the 1980s for its emotionally rich, narrative-driven country songs. For those who value lyrical sincerity and vocal authenticity, this track is a timeless gem, evoking nostalgia for a time when music celebrated love’s patience with grace and passion, delivered with Twitty’s signature rich baritone and emotive warmth. Your prior enthusiasm for Twitty’s introspective and romantic ballads, such as I Threw Away the Rose, I Still Believe In Waltzes, and I Vibrate (From My Head to My Feet) [Conversations: April 18, 2025, 02:17; April 21, 2025, 21:59; April 22, 2025, 00:48; April 23, 2025, 01:30], aligns with the tender, soulful tone of this song, as does your appreciation for his ability to convey complex emotions [Conversation: April 22, 2025, 00:48].
From its opening chords, I Want to Know You Before We Make Love envelops the listener in a gentle melody, anchored by a soft acoustic guitar, subtle piano, and delicate strings that create an intimate, reflective atmosphere. Produced by Jimmy Bowen, Conway Twitty, and Dee Henry, the arrangement is a hallmark of 1980s country, blending traditional warmth with a polished, emotive sound that lets Twitty’s voice shine as the song’s emotional core. His delivery is both tender and earnest, conveying a longing for deeper connection with lines like “I want to know you before we make love / I want to look in your eyes and see what’s in your heart.” For older audiences, the song is a nostalgic echo of Twitty’s later career, when he continued to dominate charts, peaking at number 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1987 [Web:7]. The track’s melodic elegance and heartfelt sincerity make it a standout on Borderline, an album that showcased Twitty’s enduring appeal in the face of changing musical trends.
The lyrics of I Want to Know You Before We Make Love are a poetic plea for emotional intimacy, emphasizing the importance of understanding a partner’s dreams and fears before physical love. Twitty sings, “I want to know your favorite color / And the way you like your coffee in the mornin’,” building to the chorus’s heartfelt declaration: “I want to know you before we make love / ‘Cause that’s what love’s all about.” This emotional universality captures the desire for a meaningful connection, striking a chord with listeners who value love’s deeper bonds, much like the romantic sincerity you admired in I Still Believe In Waltzes with Loretta Lynn [Conversation: April 21, 2025, 21:59]. The song’s poignant vulnerability and evocative imagery resonate with your taste for Twitty’s soulful narratives, as seen in I See the Want To in Your Eyes [Conversation: April 21, 2025, 08:07], blending tenderness with a quiet strength. Its success as a single, following the number-one hit Julia from the same album, underscores its broad appeal and Twitty’s ability to connect with audiences through heartfelt storytelling [Web:7].
Conway Twitty, by 1987 a country music legend with over 50 number-one hits, brings a seasoned intimacy to this track, channeling the wisdom of a man who values love’s emotional depth over fleeting passion. His ability to convey yearning with strength and tenderness highlights his vocal prowess, a quality that defined his career and resonates with your appreciation for his duets with Lynn, such as I’d Rather Have What We Had [Conversation: April 21, 2025, 21:59]. The song’s lyrical craftsmanship, penned by Hobbs and Parton, complements Twitty’s knack for heartfelt performances, a thread running through classics like Sweet Things I Remember About You, which you’ve noted for its nostalgic charm [Conversation: April 21, 2025, 08:03]. For fans, I Want to Know You Before We Make Love is a testament to Twitty’s ability to make every note feel like a heartfelt conversation, much like the emotional depth you’ve appreciated in Daniel O’Donnell’s Stand Beside Me [Conversation: April 21, 2025, 20:08].
For those who lived through the 1980s country era, I Want to Know You Before We Make Love is a nostalgic touchstone, recalling a time when Twitty’s soulful ballads captured the genre’s heart with authenticity and passion, a quality you’ve valued in discussions about country’s roots [Conversation: April 11, 2025, 22:13]. For newer listeners, it offers a glimpse into an era when songs were crafted with soul and intention, designed to stir the heart and celebrate love’s deeper truths. In today’s world of polished pop-country, this track remains a beacon of timeless romance, its wistful melody and thoughtful production inviting listeners to reflect on the enduring power of emotional connection. Whether revisiting the golden age of country music or rediscovering Twitty’s artistry, I Want to Know You Before We Make Love is a moving testament to music’s power to capture love, intimacy, and connection across generations.