About the song
When David Gates, the legendary voice and songwriter behind the soft rock band Bread, released “Take Me Now”, he delivered more than just another romantic ballad. He offered a deeply personal expression of love, commitment, and vulnerability that resonated with audiences worldwide. Known for his heartfelt lyrics and warm, melodic style, Gates crafted a song that remains timeless in its sincerity.
Released in 1981 as the title track of his solo album Take Me Now, the song marked an important chapter in Gates’ career. By that time, Bread had already cemented its place in music history with classics like Make It With You, If, and Baby I’m-A Want You. But “Take Me Now” showed that Gates’ artistry extended far beyond his band’s successes. It was an intimate, stripped-down love song — gentle in delivery, yet powerful in its emotional pull.
The lyrics of “Take Me Now” tell the story of a man ready to devote himself completely to the woman he loves. Lines like “Take me now, I don’t know how, but all I need is you” capture the essence of surrendering to love without hesitation or fear. Gates’ warm tenor voice, tender yet commanding, brings these words to life, making listeners feel as though they are hearing a genuine confession from the heart.
Musically, the track stays true to Gates’ signature style — a soft arrangement led by acoustic guitar, light percussion, and understated harmonies. The simplicity of the production allows the emotion in the vocals and the storytelling in the lyrics to take center stage. Unlike the grand, orchestrated ballads of the era, “Take Me Now” thrives on its quiet intimacy, making it a perfect soundtrack for weddings, anniversaries, or private moments between lovers.
Though it didn’t climb as high on the charts as some of his earlier hits, the song found a loyal audience among fans of soft rock and romantic pop. It became one of those tracks that listeners would return to not for hype or trend, but for comfort and connection. In an era dominated by flashy production and fast-paced hits, “Take Me Now” stood out as a song that took its time — just like the kind of love it celebrated.
The Take Me Now album as a whole showcased Gates’ talent for blending heartfelt ballads with more upbeat tracks, but it was the title song that truly embodied his gift for writing simple yet profoundly moving love songs. Over the years, the track has been covered by other artists and featured in various romantic playlists, ensuring its place in the canon of enduring love songs.
Today, “Take Me Now” remains a shining example of David Gates’ legacy: music that speaks to the heart, stripped of pretense, built on sincerity. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most powerful expressions of love are the quiet ones — words whispered in the dark, carried on a gentle melody, asking only for the chance to hold someone forever.
Video
Lyrics
I need, baby I need your love right now
And I want, baby I want to show you how
Come on, you know that we’ve waited long enough
And now it’s time
Time to be lovers.
I tried, tried to be only one with you
And it’s hard but baby it’s worth it all for you
And it hurts, makin’ me wait for you this way,
I can’t go on.
So come on and…
Take me now, take my love
Make come true the feelings I’ve been dreamin’ of
Take me now, take me fast
You can trust in me,
Our love will ever last.
I know we haven’t known each other long
But still something so right just can’t be wrong
Besides, it ought to be up to
Me and you.
When it’s time, time for each other.
I live, live for the day we’re made as one
Look back, back over all the things we’ve done
But now, baby I need your love right now,
I can’t go on.
So c’mon and…
Take me now, take my love
Make come true the feelings I’ve been dreamin’ of
Take me now, take me fast
You can trust in me,
Our love will ever last.
Take me now, take my love
Make come true the feelings I’ve been dreamin’ of
Take me now, take me fast
You can trust in me,
Our love will ever last.
