In 1960, he started in music with Gibraltarian band 'The Diamond Boys', which had no real commercial success, but played a part in Spain's introduction to popular music.In 1966 Hammond co-founded the British vocal group The Family Dogg, scoring a UK Top 10 hit with "A Way of Life" in 1969. He is probably best known for his early 70s hits "It Never Rains In Southern California" and 'Free Electric Band' - but he went on to write countless hits for other artists such as Madonna and Leo Sayer. In 1987, Hammond's composition with Diane Warren "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" (recorded by Jefferson Starship) was nominated for an Oscar, Golden Globe and Grammy. In 1988, Hammond won an Emmy Award for the song "One Moment in Time", a song he wrote along with John Bettis. In 2008, Hammond was inducted in the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He is immortalised in song by Half Man Half Biscuit in their 1986 track "Albert Hammond Bootleg".
His son, Albert Hammond, Jr., is a guitarist in The Strokes.
More info: www.alberthammond.net
Don't Turn Around
Albert Hammond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't tell me that you wanna leave
Oh, oh, oh, oh
If you wanna leave
I won't beg you to stay
And if you gotta go, darling
Maybe it's better that way
I'm gonna be strong, I'm gonna do fine
Don't worry about this heart of mine
Walk out that door and see if I care
Go on and go, but
Don't turn around
'Cause you're gonna see my heart breaking
Don't turn around
I don't want you seeing me cry
Just walk away
It's tearing me apart that you're leaving
I'm letting you go
But I won't let you know, I won't let you know
Oh, oh, oh, oh
I won't miss your arms around me
Holding me tight, holding me tight
And if you ever think about me
Just know that I'll be alright, I'll be alright
I'm gonna be strong, I'm gonna do fine
Don't worry about this heart of mine
I will survive, I'll make it through
I'll even learn to live without you
Don't turn around
'Cause you're gonna see my heart breaking
Don't turn around
I don't want you seeing me cry
Just walk away
It's tearing me apart that you're leaving
I'm letting you go
But I won't let you know
I wish I could scream out loud
That I love you
I wish I could say to you
Don't go
As he walks away
He feels the pain getting strong
People in your life
They don't know what's going on
Too proud to turn around
He's gone
Don't turn around
'Cause you're gonna see my heart breaking
Don't turn around
I don't want you seeing me cry
Just walk away
It's tearing me apart that you're leaving
I'm letting you go
Baby, don't turn around
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Don't turn around
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Just walk away
Oh, oh, oh, oh
It's tearing me apart that you're leaving
I'm letting you go
Don't turn around
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Don't turn around
Oh, oh, oh, oh
The lyrics to Albert Hammond's song "Don't Turn Around" depict a person who has come to terms with the end of a relationship and is determined to move on and survive without their partner. The singer acknowledges that their partner wants to leave, and rather than begging them to stay, they accept that it may be better for both of them to go their separate ways.
In the first verse, the singer expresses their resolve to be strong and fine without their partner. They encourage them to leave and not to turn around, as they don't want their partner to witness their heart breaking or see them cry. The singer is determined to let go but does not want to reveal their true emotions.
The second verse emphasizes the singer's determination to be independent and not to miss the physical and emotional closeness they once shared. They reassure themselves that they will be alright and will learn to live without their partner. The singer recognizes that they will survive and make it through this difficult time.
The chorus repeats the plea for the partner not to turn around, as it would only intensify the pain of the breakup. The singer desires to maintain a sense of strength and independence, even though internally, they are deeply affected by the departure of their loved one. They choose to let their partner go without expressing their inner turmoil.
In the final verse, the singer reveals their true feelings of love and desire for their partner not to leave. However, their partner decides to walk away without turning around, leaving the singer in pain and feeling misunderstood. The song concludes with a repetition of the chorus, underscoring the singer's plea for their partner not to turn around and see the heartbreak they are experiencing.
Overall, the lyrics of "Don't Turn Around" convey a complex mix of strength and vulnerability. While the singer asserts their ability to survive and move on, there is an underlying desire for their partner to stay and a fear of being seen in a state of heartbreak and sadness. The song captures the conflicting emotions that arise when a breakup is accepted, but the lingering feelings of love remain.
Line by Line Meaning
I will survive without you
I am capable of living without you in my life
Don't tell me that you wanna leave
Please refrain from expressing your desire to depart
If you wanna leave, I won't beg you to stay
If you truly wish to depart, I won't plead for you to remain
And if you gotta go, darling, maybe it's better that way
If you feel the need to depart, perhaps it is for the best
I'm gonna be strong, I'm gonna do fine
I will show strength and manage well without you
Don't worry about this heart of mine
Please do not concern yourself with the state of my emotions
Walk out that door and see if I care
Exit through the door and observe if I display any concern
Go on and go, but
Proceed with your departure, however
Don't turn around
Please refrain from looking back
'Cause you're gonna see my heart breaking
Since you will witness the pain in my heart
I don't want you seeing me cry
I prefer not to let you witness my tears
Just walk away
Simply depart from my presence
It's tearing me apart that you're leaving
The fact that you are departing is causing me great distress
I'm letting you go
I am allowing you to leave
But I won't let you know, I won't let you know
However, I won't disclose this information to you
I won't miss your arms around me
I will not long for the embrace of your arms
Holding me tight, holding me tight
Gripping me firmly, holding me tightly
And if you ever think about me
In case you ever ponder about my existence
Just know that I'll be alright, I'll be alright
Simply understand that I will be fine, I will manage
I will survive, I'll make it through
I will endure, I will overcome
I'll even learn to live without you
I will even acquire the ability to exist without your presence
I wish I could scream out loud
I desire to shout at the top of my lungs
That I love you
To express my love for you
I wish I could say to you
I yearn to convey to you
Don't go
Please do not depart
As he walks away
While he moves further from me
He feels the pain getting strong
He experiences an intensifying pain
People in your life, they don't know what's going on
Individuals in your life are unaware of the situation
Too proud to turn around
Possessing excessive pride to look back
He's gone
He has departed
Baby, don't turn around
Darling, please do not look back
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Realsongs
Written by: Barry Mann, Phil Spector, Cynthia Weil, Albert Hammond, Diane Warren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alisonhayes3478
I kissed Albert Hammond on the lips when I was about 14 after a concert in Joburg, South Africa in the 70s. 😊😊😊 Wild child roots were showing 😅
@MrHarychan76
never knew before how many great songs that he wrote... such a great musicians
@gabelhoferkreuz
Unbeliebable how many wonderful songs you have written, Dear ALBERT HAMMOND ☀️ Looking forward when we will climb the MATTERHORN together! Yours Felice Giordano, REINWALD KRANNER 👍🇨🇭🎶😎
@MsReallylove
I love you
@lilymay1658
i only knew roughly 3 or more of his song, this was played on the radio yesterday i heard it and thought wow who sings this version, so shazam and it was albert hammond, so i thought i would check a few more out, wow he has written some fantastic songs, and many bands have covered them i was blown away with what you have done in your career.
@Athensdiamond
Better perfoming and feeling ... after all these years !
@saptefrati1600
You, adorable Albert ! Carry on, make us happy ! God bless ! 3mar19
@sebulbathx
Good song!
@harryw9598
i will make it trough.
even learn how to live without you.
@saptefrati1600
Wait for Spring ! Life is beautiful again . . . ! 😜