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Sometimes When We Touch is a 1977 oldies love song ballad with lyrics and words by Dan Hill and Barry Mann (music) on the album Longer Fuse.

It was also released as a single in 1977 and become Dan Hill's biggest hit, peaking at #3 on the US Billboard Hot 100. He did a new version as a duet for his album "Greatest Hits And More" in 1993 with a woman named Rique Franks.

Sometimes When We Touch is probably one of the most misunderstood songs of all time. Many people thought it was a romantic, girlie song but if you sat down and really listened to it and understand the lyrics and words and meaning behind the song, be prepare for a shift of perspective! And to think of how many people actually played this song at their wedding!

This oldies love song is about a man(or woman) struggling with his feelings for a woman.  He faced a moral battle between his heart and his mind.He has deep, truthful and hidden love that wants to be shared, felt and received. On one hand, he wants to say he loves her but he knows that will only hurt her because he would be lying. At times he thinks they can be just friends but when they are close the romantic feeling flares again. He is afraid but yet he wish to be with her forever.

The love song meaning is bitter and pain but it's gentle and honest.

Lyrics and Words

You ask me if I love you
And I choke on my reply
I'd rather hurt you honestly
Than mislead you with a lie
And who am I to judge you
On what you say or do?
I'm only just beginning to see the real you 

And sometimes when we touch
The honesty's too much
And I have to close my eyes and hide
I wanna hold you til I die
Til we both break down and cry
I wanna hold you till the fear in me subsides


Romance and all its strategy
Leaves me battling with my pride
But through the insecurity
Some tenderness survives
I'm just another writer
Still trapped within my truth
A hesitant prize fighter
Still trapped within my youth

And sometimes when we touch
The honesty's too much
And I have to close my eyes and hide
I wanna hold you til I die
Til we both break down and cry
I wanna hold you till the fear in me subsides


At times I'd like to break you
And drive you to your knees
At times I'd like to break through
And hold you endlessly
At times I understand you
And I know how hard you've tried
I've watched while love commands you
And I've watched love pass you by
 
At times I think we're drifters

• Tina Turner in 1978 on her album Rough
• UK dance singer Newton also took the song into the top 40 in the UK (peaking at #32 in February 1996) and to #5 in Australia, also in 1996. Newton's version went gold in Australia.
• British singer Rod Stewart has also recorded this song, on the 1996 album If We Fall in Love Tonight.
• There is also a version recorded in 1980 by Cleo Laine and James Galway.
  
• Tammy Wynette covered the song in 1985 with country-pop singer Mark Gray. Their duet version peaked #6 on the country singles charts in 1985.
• The ska band Five Iron Frenzy also did a cover of this song as part of a "Medley" during their farewell tour in 2004.
  
• Veteran British entertainer Tommy Steele recorded this on his 'Family Album'.
• Bonnie Tyler on her album Lost In France-The Early Years.
• Olivia Ong in 2007 on her album Fall In Love With Olivia.
• Duet by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton on the album Back For You

Sometime When We Touch has been used in four movies

• Moment by Moment, 1978
• Superstar 1999
• Bubble Boy 2001 and Long Life Happiness & Prosperity 2002 
• On an episode of DeGrassi High: The Next Generation.

 Dan Hill


The melodious voice of Olivia Ong and her bossa nova rendition of Sometimes When We Touch