Lyrics for On My Own by Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald - Songfacts
Album: Winner in You (1986)
Charted: 2 1
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  • So many times said it was forever
    Said our love would always be true
    Something in my heart always knew
    I'd be lying here beside you

    On my own
    On my own
    On my own

    So many promises never should be spoken
    Now, I know what loving you cost
    Now, we're up to talking divorce
    And we weren't even married

    On my own
    Once again now
    One more time
    By myself

    No one said it was easy, no
    Ooh, but it once was so easy
    Well, I believed (I believed) in love (in love)
    Now, here I stand (ooh), I wonder why

    Ooh, I'm on my own
    Why did it end this way?
    (On my own)
    This wasn't how it was supposed to be
    (On my own)
    I wish that we could do it all again

    So many times, I know I could have told you
    Losing you, it cut like a knife
    Hey, you walked out and there went my life
    I don't want to live without you

    (On my own)
    This wasn't how it was supposed to be
    (On my own)
    I wish that we could do it all again
    (On my own)
    I never dreamed I'd spend one night alone
    (By myself)

    (On my own)
    I've got to find out where I belong again
    (On my own)
    I've got to learn to be strong again
    (On my own)
    I never dreamed I'd spend one night alone
    (By myself) By myself, by myself

    (On my own)
    Woo, and I've got to find out what was mine again
    (On my own)
    My heart is saying that it's time again
    (On my own)
    And I, I think that I will shine again
    (By myself)

    (On my own)
    I have faith in me
    (fade out) Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 11

  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn March 16th 1986, "On My Own" by Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #88; twelve weeks later on June 8th, 1980 it peaked at #1 for three weeks...
    It also reached #1 {for 1 week} on May 11th, 1986 on Billboard's R&B Singles chart...
    And on June 15th, 1986 it peaked at #1 {for 2 weeks} on the Canadian RPM 100 Singles chart....
    Nine years later in 1995 it was covered by Reba McEntire, her version peaked at #20 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart...
    Also in 1986 both Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald charted with solo efforts; Ms. LaBelle's "Oh People" peaked at #29 for one week, while Mr. McDonald's "Sweet Freedom" reached #7 for three weeks.
  • Antonio from Chicago, IlLove the song!!! Both are great singers!!! Love Miss LaBelle's high vocal range. It's not screaming, just high range. A gift many don't have.
  • Jackie from Baltimore, MdI really like this song, and think Michael McDonald is a great singer. Especially like the line "now I know what loving you cost" - there's always a price to pay.
  • Earl from Greenwood, In"Own My On" is in the top five R&B duets of all time. Right along with "Baby Come To Me (James Ingram & Patti Austin), I Love You and Candlelight And You (Keith Washington & Chante' Moore), and "The Closer I Get To You (Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack).
  • Laurent from Manama, BahrainI think it is not an amazing ballad. It is a good song indeed but not outstanding. My favourite part is the tasteful bass part played by the great and unique Neil Stubenhaus.
  • John from Salem, CaI loved this song when it came out and still love to hear McDonald sing it from time to time during his concerts. Patti LaBelle, on the other hand, has become an embarrassment - screaming out phrases rather than singing. Personally I think she can't remember the words, so just goes off on long riffs. You can see this during the concert performance shown on the attached video. McDonald does most of the singing with LaBelle screaming back at him. No wonder this musical couple would have lived apart and broken up if their song had represented real life. McDonald continues to do good work, but LaBelle's best years are far behind her.
  • John from Nashville, TnPatti Labelle and Michael McDonald recorded their parts seperately and never met each other until they performed it on the Tonight Show.
  • Mckenzie from London, United KingdomEver since I heard this song back in 1986, I have loved this record ever since. It would be lovely if this song was re-released some day. Notice that Ms Labelle didn't need to be singing in her underwear or Mr McDonald didn't need to grab his crotch to score a number one hit with this record (in the USA). I am not a prude by the way - In fact, I am open minded, but I am so bored of some of todays "stars" who feel the need to be half naked to prove they have talent.
  • Sara from Silver Spring, MdThere is also a version by Reba McEntire from her single album. Instead of finding a male duet partner she used three country artists: Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride and Linda Davis.
  • Guy from Woodinville, WaI love this song! I actually don't like Michael McDonald's singing voice, but I can sure overlook it in this case. There's something very hypnotizing about this song--the background singers repeating "on my own," I guess. Oh well, I just love everything about this song. Especially the line "...and we weren't even married." Funny/poignant at the same time.
  • Sara from Silver Spring, MdOddly enough Patti LaBelle covered Michael McDonald's version of "I Keep Forgettin'" on one of her recent albums. She should have done it with him since it really is his signature song
    And they would do it finally together!
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