In Chicago, she began recording for small soul labels and worked with soon-to-be big name producers Ike Turner and Curtis Mayfield until 1963, when she was picked up by Vee-Jay Records. While recording for Vee-Jay, she released several minor hits including "You're No Good" and the catchy "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)" which was her biggest solo hit. It peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was #1 on the Cashbox R&B chart.
Her other hits included "I Can't Hear You", "Getting Mighty Crowded", and several duets with Jerry Butler, including "Let It Be Me" which made the US Top 5 in 1964 and was another Cashbox R&B number 1. After Vee-Jay folded in 1966, she recorded for several other labels including Uni, Fantasy, and ABC.
She had another major success in 1969 with "There'll Come A Time", which rose to #2 on the Billboard R&B charts and topped the Cashbox chart. While most of her later work could not match the success she had with Vee-Jay, there were other R&B hits with "It's Been A Long Time" and "I Got To Tell Somebody" in 1970. Her final recording came out in 1980. Her awards include the BMI Pop Award, both for 1964 and 1991, and the BMI R&B Award for 1964.
I Can't Hear You No More
Betty Everett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tellin' me you're sorry, baby
Tellin' me you wanna come on back home
Where you belong
There you go again
Lyin' and alibiin'
Singin' that same old worn out song
I can't hear you no more
I've heard it all before
You ain't a reachin' me no how
No way, no time until dooms day
I can't hear you no more
I can't hear you no more
You walked out on me
Once too often baby
And I can't take no more of your jive
And that's the truth
I ain't about to let you
Run me into the ground
I'm not gonna throw away my youth
No not hardly
I can't hear you no more
I've heard it all before
You ain't a reachin' me no how
No way, no time until dooms day
I can't hear you no more
I can't hear you no more
You ain't a reachin' me no how
No way, no time until dooms day
I can't hear you no more
I can't hear you no more
You gotta speak out louder
You gotta speak out louder
'Cause I can't hear you no more
I can't hear you no more
Just a little bit louder
The lyrics to Betty Everett's song "I Can't Hear You No More" tell the story of a relationship that has reached its breaking point. The singer is being approached by her former lover, who is attempting to apologize and come back home. However, the singer has had enough of the lies, excuses, and broken promises that characterized their relationship, and she refuses to be swayed by his words anymore. She asserts that she can't hear him, no matter how loud he speaks or how many times he repeats himself. She has reached the point where she is no longer willing to tolerate his behavior, and she is determined to move on with her life.
The repetition of the phrase "I can't hear you no more" throughout the song emphasizes the singer's sense of finality and conviction. She has made up her mind and is not going to be swayed by any further attempts at reconciliation. The references to "doomsday" and "throwing away my youth" suggest that she sees this as a pivotal moment in her life, and that she is not willing to waste any more time on a relationship that has already caused her so much pain.
Overall, "I Can't Hear You No More" is a powerful and assertive statement of independence and self-worth. It is a reminder that sometimes we need to take a stand and put our own well-being first, even if it means saying goodbye to someone we once loved.
Line by Line Meaning
Here you are again
You have returned once more
Tellin' me you're sorry, baby
Apologizing to me
Tellin' me you wanna come on back home
Stating that you want to return to our shared home
Where you belong
Implying that you belong with me
There you go again
You are repeating old habits
Lyin' and alibiin'
Being deceitful and making up excuses
Singin' that same old worn out song
Repeating the same lies and excuses that you have used before
Here it comes now
You are about to say something that I have heard before
I can't hear you no more
I am tired of listening to you
I've heard it all before
I know everything you are going to say
You ain't a reachin' me no how
You are not making any progress with me
No way, no time until dooms day
There is no chance of reconciliation between us
You walked out on me
You left me alone and abandoned me
Once too often baby
You have done this multiple times and enough is enough
And I can't take no more of your jive
I am tired of your lies and excuses
And that's the truth
I am being honest with you
I ain't about to let you
I will not allow you
Run me into the ground
Exhaust me physically or emotionally
I'm not gonna throw away my youth
I refuse to waste my time and energy on you anymore
No not hardly
Definitely not
You gotta speak out louder
You must be more clear and direct in your communication
'Cause I can't hear you no more
I am not interested in hearing what you have to say
Just a little bit louder
Perhaps if you speak louder I may be able to hear you, but it is unlikely
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CAROLE KING, GERRY GOFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mike Cole
To me this seems to encapsulate early 60s songwriting. Love the dirgey "apologetic" backing vocals being offset with the scornful passionate lead. No time till doomsday. Priceless. Why ever did the critics at the time not like this (or for that matter the record-buying public ever so much)? Of the many covers only Dusty's (particularly live) comes anywhere near close to this in quality.
james smirk
Love it !!!!
SylentEcho
I love The Move's version of this one.
costernocht
The definitive version. Just perfect.
RBIKO5
brilliant arrangement and production. by who ?
DJ Chas Gibson
Johnny Pate
snap07801
Written by Carole King & Gerry Goffin.
surfinwax58 wilson
Some of the other soul that should still be on 'oldies' playlists or greatest r & b compilations. Not all the greatest soul songs are the mainstream hit records most of us are familiar with on heavy rotation.
Myles McGuire
Much better than lulus
Avery Dominguez
Ya damn right it is. My grandmother did it first before lulu