The three attempted a collaboration project in 1970 but Beck suffered a head injury in a car accident that year which sidelined him for well over a year. Bogert and Appice, who previously were members of Vanilla Fudge, instead formed the group Cactus with guitarist Jim McCarty and singer Rusty Day. After several Cactus releases, the band split and Bogert and Appice were again searching for a new band. Beck, after recovering from the head injury, formed a new Jeff Beck Group and released several LPs before disbanding in 1972.
With all three members out of work they decided to revive the old idea of a collaboration and started work on their eponymous debut album Beck, Bogert & Appice. The album had solid sales in 1973 and had a hit single "Superstition", which was a cover of Stevie Wonder's original composition of the same name. Later that year the band released a live album in Japan (now an extremely sought after rare album), Live in Japan. The group began work on a second studio album, but Beck suddenly left the band in early 1974, forcing a dissolution.
Why Should I Care
Beck Bogert & Appice Lyrics
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You never care about me when I was sad
You only care about me when I was talented
So why should I care about you now
You never care about me when I was down and out
You never care about me when I was blue
You only care about me when I was on top
You never know the good times from the bad times
You never see the side of in between times
You never care about me when I was down and out
So why should I care about ya
When I was down I done without ya
Why should I care about ya now
So why should I care about ya
When I was down I done without ya
Why should I care about ya now
Oh I′m hanging on out the window
I'm trying to never let me head go
You never care about me when I was down and out
So why
Why should I care about ya
When I was down I done without ya
Why should I care about ya
I was alone I done without ya
Why should I care about ya now
The lyrics of Beck Bogert & Appice's "Why Should I Care" revolve around the feeling of being neglected and how people tend to care about an individual only when they have something to offer. The song's narrator is reminiscing on past experiences where he/she was lonely, sad, or in a tough spot, but the people around them, specifically the person he/she is addressing, didn't offer support. However, when the singer was successful or talented, the person suddenly took an interest in their life. The lyrics suggest that the singer has moved on from the situation and doesn't feel the need to care about the person anymore.
The lyrics also highlight how people often fail to recognize and appreciate the positive characteristics of someone and instead only focus on their accomplishments. The words "You never know the good times from the bad times, you never see the side of in-between times" further emphasize this point. In the end, the singer questions why they should care about this person now and seemingly concludes that they don't need them in their life anymore.
Overall, the song's lyrics express a feeling of disappointment in the lack of genuine care and support from some people and the realization that one doesn't need such people in their life.
Line by Line Meaning
You never care about me when I was lonely
You were never there for me when I was lonely and needed you
You never care about me when I was sad
You didn't care when I was sad and needed someone to talk to
You only care about me when I was talented
The only time you seemed to care about me was when I had something to offer or was successful
So why should I care about you now
Given your history of not being there for me, there's no reason for me to care about you now
You never care about me when I was down and out
You weren't around to support me when I was struggling and needed help
You never care about me when I was blue
You didn't check in on me or show concern when I was feeling down
You only care about me when I was on top
You showed interest when I was successful or in a good place
You never know the good times from the bad times
You can't recognize when I'm doing well versus when I'm struggling
You never see the side of in between times
You don't acknowledge or understand the transitional periods
So why should I care about ya
Given your lack of support in the past, there's no reason for me to care about you
When I was down I done without ya
I managed to get through hard times without your help or support
Oh I'm hanging on out the window
I'm feeling desperate and at the end of my rope
I'm trying to never let me head go
I'm struggling to keep from feeling overwhelmed and hopeless
I was alone I done without ya
I was able to handle things without you and don't need you now
Why should I care about ya now
There's no reason for me to care about you given all of the times you weren't there for me
Writer(s): R. Kennedy
Contributed by Samantha J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.