Born Graham Barnes in Nottingham England, Alvin Lee took up guitar at the age of thirteen. By the age of fifteen he had formed the group Jaybirds. Following in the footsteps of earlier beat groups such as the Beatles, the Jaybirds played the clubs in Hamburg, Germany to great local acclaim. On returning to London in 1966, the group changed its name to Ten Years After.
Ten Years After scored hits with many albums and became a popular touring band. The band gained note in America after their appearance at Woodstock in 1969.
Lee's guitar work on ‘I’m Going Home’ on the 'Woodstock' album and film remains a standard for many rock guitarists to emulate.
Ten Years After played a mix of rock and blues tinged with jazz. In 1973, Lee left Ten Years After to pursue a solo career.
His first work was a collaborative effort with American gospel singer Mylon LeFevre on an album entitled On The Road To Freedom; other artists on the album included George Harrison, Mick Fleetwood and Steve Winwood. A year later he formed the band Alvin Lee & Company and released a double live album recorded at the Rainbow in London, In Flight.
Lee continued to record albums and play live until his death in 2013, thrilling audiences with his guitar virtuoso and nimble fingered fret work.
Having recorded over twenty albums, some of the key solo works Alvin Lee has recorded are:
1973 On The Road To Feedom
1974 In Flight
1975 Pump Iron
1976 Let it Rock
1978 Rocket Fuel
1979 Ride On
1980 Freefall
1981 RX5
1986 Detroit Diesel
1992 Zoom
1994 I Hear You Rockin
1996 Live In Vienna
2004 In Tennessee
2007 Saguitar
2012 Still On The Road To freedom
Official Website: Alvin Lee
You can also see Alvin Lee & Ten Years After and / or Alvin Lee & Co and / or Ten Years After and or Alvin Lee & Ten Years Later and / or The Alvin Lee Band on Last.fm.
You Told Me
Alvin Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You said you'd never say good-bye
You told me that you'd never hurt me
You told me that you'd never lie
Glad you love me - see who cares if I die!
You told me that you'd always love me
You told me that you'd never cheat
You said you'd spend your life with me
So much sugar - now it doesn't taste so sweet!
You told me that you really loved me
You say you're gonna stand by me
You told me that you'd always love me
You said you'd never part with me
So much talkin' - then you walk right over me!
You told me that you'd never leave me
You told me that you really knew
You told me that you'd never hurt me
You told me that your love was true
What you playin'? - Hey baby what can I.
The song "You Told Me," by Alvin Lee, is a classic tale of broken love and shattered trust. The singer has been lied to and cheated on repeatedly by their partner. The lyrics are reflective of a relationship gone wrong, where the singer was promised unconditional love and loyalty, but instead, they received nothing but pain and heartache.
The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song, as the singer describes the promises made by their partner. "You told me that you'd never leave me, You said you'd never say goodbye." These lines are an expression of love and devotion from the partner. The singer, however, is skeptical, and their doubts are soon confirmed as the relationship unravels.
The song's chorus, "So much talkin' - then you walk right over me!" illustrates the singer's realization that love is not enough to sustain a relationship. Their partner has repeatedly lied and cheated on them, leading to the end of the relationship.
Overall, the lyrics of "You Told Me" are an exploration of a relationship's promise and ultimate failure. The betrayal of trust and the pain of broken love are central themes, reminding us that words are just words, and actions speak louder than anything.
Line by Line Meaning
You told me that you'd never leave me
You promised that you would never abandon me
You said you'd never say good-bye
You assured me that you won't bid farewell
You told me that you'd never hurt me
You informed me that you won't cause me pain
You told me that you'd never lie
You stated that you won't tell me untruths
Glad you love me - see who cares if I die!
You professed your love for me, but it seems insignificant because it wouldn't affect you if I passed away.
You told me that you'd always love me
You expressed your everlasting adoration towards me
You told me that you'd never cheat
You assured me that you wouldn't be unfaithful
You told me that you'd never hurt me
You reiterated that you wouldn't harm me
You said you'd spend your life with me
You promised that you would share your life with me
So much sugar - now it doesn't taste so sweet!
Your excessive sweetness now seems insincere and fake
You told me that you really loved me
You claimed that you truly cared for me
You say you're gonna stand by me
You declare that you'll support me
You told me that you'd always love me
You reassured me that your affection won't diminish
You said you'd never part with me
You promised that you wouldn't leave me
So much talkin' - then you walk right over me!
Despite all your promises and assurances, you still mistreat me.
You told me that you'd never leave me
You stated again that you won't abandon me
You told me that you really knew
You professed to truly understand me
You told me that you'd never hurt me
You reaffirmed that you wouldn't cause me any harm
You told me that your love was true
You claimed that your love for me was genuine
What you playin'? - Hey baby what can I.
You seem to be acting and not being genuine about your feelings. What do you want me to do?
Contributed by Lauren J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MajasMusicMine
Outstanding!!
R.i.p. Alvin 😞
@elrip1
Best rock and blues guitarist ever. Eddie Van Halen listened to Alvin. Nobody compares. Writes the songs too.
@curtismedders7133
ALVIN HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE BEST
@perrykalamaras7102
I LOVE ALVIN LEE!!
@patriciavaun1821
rest in peace Alvin,will miss you.
@surferbri5346
the best guitarist to ever pick up a gibson ES335!! great sound
@joycetyner7643
Yes
@panheaddan1
first concert ever been to nov 10 71 i was 13 totally blew me away, sat behind the stage,we had one joint. a guy, his girl sat down next on the stairs, and we passed our only joint to em. he reached into his sock and pulled out a huge baggie full of joints and smoked our brains out,at one point Alvin turned around and pointed to us and said we came to have fun , or something to that affect , we were so loud it came accross his mic. what a night! where's the time machine when you need one ?
@FB1801
1) Alvin Lee 2) Rory Gallagher 3) Kim Simmonds are to me the best guitar players in the history of rock'n'roll
@clouds882
this is brilliant, thank u very much!