Recording and Mixing Dates: Recorded January 12 & 13, 2016. Mixed January 13, 2016

Genesis: I wrote this song in 1985. At the time I was an active member of the Minnesota Songwriters Association (MSA). Most of us in the group were trying to write and place commercial songs with music publishers in Nashville. I wrote “Cried Myself Out” around the same time as this song.  Both used choruses as “hooks” to catch the listeners attention.

One Saturday afternoon in 1985, the MSA monthly gathering met at a state-of-the-art recording studio  in Edina, MN, owned by John Volinkaty. Volinkaty was a songwriter who struck gold with the first song he wrote: “Satin Sheets.” Jeanne Pruett released it as a single in 1973 and it became a Number One country hit. Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, and Martina McBride later recorded it. It remains one of the most played songs in the world. I don’t believe Volinkaty wrote another hit but he had a steady stream of royalties for the remainder of his life. (Sadly, he died from cancer in 1992 at the age of 49.)

I came to the meeting with a simple demo of “Nothing Less Than Your Love” on a cassette. The group made positive comments and Volinkaty was very excited. He thought the song was ready for Nashville once I made a better recording. Alas, I never did. Looking back, I can see I missed some opportunities that were there for the taking.

This arrangement is more folk-rock and jingle-jangle than country or country rock. I have also taken the song at a brisker pace than I did when I wrote it.

Production: Bass, drums, organ, electric baritone guitar, and electric guitar.

NOTHING LESS THAN YOUR LOVE

Believe me when I tell you

You’re the one for me

I like your easy laughter

I like your company

A hundred nights of heartache

Are gone with one sweet kiss.

I’m aiming for your heart

I don’t want to miss

CHORUS

I want

Nothing less than your love

Nothing more than you

My needs are simple

My wants are few

Give me a chance

To show what I can do

I want

Nothing less than your love

Nothing more than you

I’m on a roller coaster

Unsure if you’ll be true

You’ve had so many others

Who said that they loved you

I don’t know about others

I only know about me

I don’t want you halfway

Darling can’t you see

CHORUS

Nothing less than your love

When I reach out in the night.

Nothing more than you

When things aren’t working out right

CHORUS

Copyright 2016 Fred Grittner All Rights Reserved