He has been active in the 00s and since, touring both as a single artist and as a member of the rotating supergroup 'Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band'. Before fronting the band titled in his name, Squire was the frontman of the power pop group Piper. Said band had some underground fame in the 70s before Squire left for bigger things.
Squier started off his solo career with May 1980's 'The Tale of the Tape'. Although a commercial breakthrough eluded him, the release spent three months on Billboard's album chart and gained a large fan response. Working with songwriter impresario Desmond Child and Kiss co-guitarist Bruce Kulick, his album also brought him praising critical reviews, noting his talent for meeting catchy pop hooks with aggressive guitars and vocals.
His 1981 follow-up, 'Don't Say No', shot his career into the stratosphere. It hit the Top Five on the Billboard album chart and remained on the chart for over two years (a total of 111 weeks). Getting RIAA certified as triple-platinum, singles such as "Lonely Is The Night" and "The Stroke" became staples of arena rock radio. His music from this album has popped up in variety of places such as in the comedy film 'Blades of Glory' and in the popular Guitar Hero video game series.
Squier's third album, 'Emotions in Motion', also picked up both critical praise, with Allmusic calling it a "slice of AOR heaven", and commercial acclaim. The album itself peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200 chart while singles such as "Everybody Wants You" and "Learn How To Live" achieved top 40 rock stardom. Squier also achieved notability both for his album cover, devised by famous artist Andy Warhol, and for his popular music videos, played often on MTV.
Massively successful touring with artists such as Queen had Squier labeled as one of the best hard rock artists of the decade. Still, 'what goes up, must come down', as the saying goes, and his next album would spell his downfall. 1984's 'Signs of Life' came out with initial good press, viewed as perhaps lacking the rock crunch of his previous affairs but still involving some catchy tunes. Single "Rock Me Tonite", released in June 1984 as the lead single, became his highest charting U.S. song, peaking at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and hitting the Top 10 on the Cash Box singles chart. It also returned him to #1 on the Top Rock Tracks chart in August of 1984.
Nevertheless, the music video for the song was the beginning of the end for this part of Squier's career. Popularly regarded as one of the worst ever music videos ever made, if not the worst, it shows Squier putting on a pink tank top and making effeminate dance moves around a bed with pastel-colored satin sheets while badly miming to the song, rolling around on the floor in several parts. Many viewers who saw it thought that it depicted the singer on drugs or pretending to be flamboyantly gay. It was directed by Kenny Ortega, who was the third director to be considered for the job.
After an acrimonious break from his label and also making other changes, Squier re-grouped and released 'Enough Is Enough' on September 27, 1986. Signed to Capitol Records, he achieved some success, with the album having peaked at #61 on the Billboard album chart, but failed to meet expectations. Some critics charged that the stress that he had been put under took its toll on his songwriting. Future releases over the next few years failed to change things as his popularity slid downwards, and he ultimately quit the music industry for several years in the 90s.
As stated before, he has been active in the 00s and since, touring both as a single artist and as a member of the rotating supergroup 'Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band'. More recently, a few live albums have come out featuring his music. He also has had several low-key tours.
Don't Say You Love Me
Billy Squier Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yea
You can't get up, you can't get down
You can't sit still, you never settle down
Don't say you love me, just say huh!
Your can't get loose until you get control
Don't say you love me, just say huh!
Don't say you love me, just say (don't say you love me) all right, yeah
You're scared to win, you're scared to lose
You're scared to live with the life you choose
Don't say you love me, just say (don't say you love me) right now
You can't say yes you can't say no
Your mind's made up you don't know where to go
Don't say you love me whatcha say? (Don't say you love me)
Don't say you love me, just say huh!
I can see you comin' 'round again ('round again)
I can feel you but I can't say when (can't say when)
I will be there in your now and then
(Don't say you love me) don't say, huh, alright
Don't say you love me, better know you want me too
Don't say you love me, girl, it all comes down to you
Don't say you love me, I know you want me too
Don't say you love me, it all comes down, it all comes down to you
Don't say, don't say
The song "Don't Say You Love Me" by Billy Squier is about a relationship that is not going well. The lyrics focus on the various ways that the other person is unable to commit, whether it be by not being able to make up their mind, being scared to win or lose, or being unable to control their emotions. The song is essentially telling the other person not to say they love the singer if they don't truly mean it and if they are not willing to put in the effort to make the relationship work.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Don't say you love me, just say huh!" emphasizing that actions speak louder than words and that the other person needs to show that they care through their actions. The last verse ends on a more positive note, with the singer expressing that they are willing to be there for the other person and that it all comes down to them whether the relationship succeeds or fails.
Overall, "Don't Say You Love Me" is a relatable song that tackles the theme of commitment and the importance of actions over empty words. It is a reminder that love requires effort and that one cannot simply rely on words to make a relationship work.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't, don't, don't, don't, don't say you love me
Don't express your love for me
Yea
Agreement or emphasis to the previous statement
You can't get up, you can't get down
You are indecisive
You can't sit still, you never settle down
You don't take a stand
Your love runs heat, your love runs cold
Your feelings are inconsistent
Your can't get loose until you get control
You need to be in control of your emotions
Don't say you love me, just say huh!
Don't use the word 'love', just acknowledge me
Don't say you love me, just say (don't say you love me) all right, yeah
Acknowledge me but don't use the word 'love'
You're scared to win, you're scared to lose
You're afraid of taking risks
You're scared to live with the life you choose
You're uncertain about your decisions
Don't say you love me, just say (don't say you love me) right now
Don't say 'love', just exist in the moment
You can't say yes you can't say no
You can't make up your mind
Your mind's made up you don't know where to go
You appear decisive but still unsure
Don't say you love me whatcha say? (Don't say you love me)
Don't express your love for me, what do you mean?
Don't say you love me, just say huh!
Don't use the word 'love', just acknowledge me
I can see you comin' 'round again ('round again)
I know you'll come around again
I can feel you but I can't say when (can't say when)
I sense your presence but can't predict when you'll appear
I will be there in your now and then
I'll be with you occasionally
(Don't say you love me) don't say, huh, alright
Don't say 'love', just be present
Don't say you love me, better know you want me too
Don't just say 'love', understand that you also desire me
Don't say you love me, girl, it all comes down to you
Don't blame emotions for your decisions, it's your responsibility
Don't say you love me, I know you want me too
I know you have feelings for me, but it's not just about 'love'
Don't say you love me, it all comes down, it all comes down to you
Don't just rely on emotions, the decision is up to you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ANDREA JANE CORR, CAROLE BAYER SAGER, CAROLINE CORR, JAMES CORR, SHARON CORR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
KJ Lancaster
Billy’s songs graced my Pioneer system in my 79 Trans Am and he sound tracked my adventures in Myrtle Beach in 81 and 82. Billy, we had a great time. Thank you for the incredible music. I am now 59 and still love his music.
Suzanne Hastie
Agree
Suzanne Hastie
Yeah I'm from Australia Perth I Think he's brilliant
J Z
Pioneer in a Chevy Citation over here 😂💚👍
Perry McCallum
Oh yeah.Was rockin Billy in Brisbane,AU then too mate.
Connie J
Mine was an '81 TA...yes! ..and Im also 59! I was thinking of it when I read your comment! It was def a great time to be alive.
Saw "Billy Squire" and "Foreigner" in Tallahassee in '81..my second concert.
John G
So underrated. Billy was one of the best artist of the 80s, timeless classic rock. His new song is great and I hope he decides to tour again. Billy live is great!!
Seth Kaicer
That is one man I have nothing but respect for. It takes a lot of courage and guts to walk away like he did.
Richard Schachinger
He got a bad review, still came back for this great LP..... Then did his own thing 😂🎉
Randy Wissler
Let's be for real, the video for Rock me tonight really was a HUGE black eye to his career. Imo the Man will always be an icon!!!!