No Tell Lover is one of Chicago’s best known songs, and is about an affair. He loves the woman he’s cheating with more than his girlfriend/wife, but he doesn’t want her to know about it. It hurts him because he knows unless his wife/girlfriend knows about it, he can’t leave her to be with this woman...
[Verse 1: Peter Cetera, with bandmates]
Pretty smile, lovely face, and a warm breeze
Now I need you, lady
You're my no tell lover
Every night in a different place
I'll meet you, tender lady
You're my no tell lover
Ooh ooh ooh
[Chorus: All, Donnie Dacus]
Everyone keeps telling me that this affair's not meant to be
Even though I need you night and day
Walk away if you see me coming, even though it's you
I'm loving
[Verse 2: Peter Cetera, with bandmates]
Every minute is an hour
Every day's a lonely lifetime
You're my no tell lover
The little time that we spend together just can't last forever
You're my no tell lover
Yeah
[Chorus: All, Donnie Dacus]
Everyone keeps tellin' me that this affair's not meant to be
Even though I need you night and day
Walk away if you see me coming, even though it's you
I'm lovin'
[Bridge: All]
I want her
I can't leave her
I won't live without her
There's nothing left to say
I want her
I can't leave her
[Verse 3: Peter Cetera, with bandmates]
Every night in a different place I'll need you, tender lady
You're my no tell lover
Ooh ooh ooh
[Chorus: All, Donnie Dacus]
Everyone keeps tellin' me this affair's not meant to be
Even though I need you night and day
Walk away if you see me coming, even though it's you I'm lovin'
[Outro: All]
I want her
I can't leave her
I won't live without her
(She's my no tell lover)
I want her
I can't leave her
I won't live without her
(She's my no tell lover)
I want her
I can't leave her
I won't live without her
(She's my no tell lover)
I want her
I can't leave her
I won't live without her...
No Tell Lover was written by Danny Seraphine & Lee Loughnane.
No Tell Lover was produced by Chicago & Carol Peters & Phil Ramone.