Brinsley Schwarz was popular in the U.K. and many European territories, touring Great Britian in 1972 as an opening act for Paul McCartney & Wings. The band also tried playing the UK's regional pub & hall circuit with artists Dave Edmunds, Atomic Rooster, Ducks DeLuxe, and the Grateful Dead, even headlining the first Glastonbury festival. In addition to Schwarz and Nick Lowe on bass & vocals, the band featured American Billy Rankin on drums, and Bob Andrews on Hammond B-3 organ, with additional guitarist Ian Gomm added in 1970.
Brinsley Schwarz signed a contract with manager Dave Robinson, who developed a plan to earn the group some wide scale publicity. They first played America on a fiasco laden press junket opening for Van Morrison at the Fillmore East in New York City in 1970 but were not well rested or well received. The group never toured the states again. Before breaking up in 1975, they released a total of 12 albums and 21 singles for United Artists. The band also notably were the first group to play live in 1973 on the BBC's 'Old Grey Whistle Test' programme and had a cameo in the film 'Stardust' with David Essex.
In 1970, Brinsley Schwarz released Despite It All, which had a definite country sound to it, and later added Ian Gomm to the band. Their wild performances soon garnered the band a large fanbase on the London pub rock scene, at venues such as 'The Tally Ho' in Kentish Town. Along with other bands like Eggs Over Easy, Brinsley Schwarz was soon dubbed "pub rock" by rock journalists. They sounded, at times, very much like The Band, with Schwarz's guitar work influenced greatly by Robbie Robertson's.
1972's ironic take on country rock, Nervous on the Road, received excellent reviews but did not reach the charts; neither did a series of singles or Please Don't Ever Change (1973). They continued recording for a time, but broke up in 1975.
Schwarz and Andrews joined Graham Parker & the Rumour, later Andrews moved to New Orleans and now plays in Dos Jefes Uptown Cigar Bar and has a web page www.neworleanspiano.com.
Rankin joined Terraplane and then Big Jim Sullivan's Tiger.
Lowe and Gomm both began solo careers, achieving moderate mainstream success, including Lowe's (1980) single "Cruel to Be Kind", originally Brinsley Schwarz's composition, and Gomm's 1979 hit "Hold On."
Lowe went on to greater acclaim than any other member, starting off as Stiff's in house producer he recorded the debut discs of Elvis Costello, The Damned & The Pogues, recorded several albums with Rockpile and had some late 70s solo hit singles. Lowe married Johnny Cash's step daughter Carlene Carter Cash for a spell in the 80's, and later made a million from the inclusion of Curtis Stigers' cover version of "(What's So Funny About) Peace Love & Understanding" on the multi-platinum soundtrack to Whitney Houston's film "The Bodyguard".
Gomm, once described in a 1971 NME issue as "the best guitarist in Britain" attempted a solo career, and later became a Welsh studio owner & record producer who worked with The Stranglers and Alexis Korner.
The original version of Elvis Costello's hit "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding," written by Lowe, was released by the band in 1974 on their album The New Favourites of Brinsley Schwarz and also featured on the multi million selling soundtrack of the movie The Bodyguard, where it was performed by Curtis Stigers.
Brinsley Schwarz Discography:
Brinsley Schwarz (April 1970)
Despite It All (December 1970)
Silver Pistol (October 1971)
Nervous on the Road (September 1972)
Please Don't Ever Change (October 1973)
The New Favourites of Brinsley Schwarz (July 1974)
The Last Album (June 1975)
Rarities (July 2000)
Don't Ever Change
Brinsley Schwarz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And powder's never on your face
You're always wearing jeans except on Sunday
Oh please don't ever change
No don't you ever change
I kinda like you just the way you are
You don't know the latest dance
Your kisses let me know you're not a tomboy
So please don't ever change
No don't you ever change
Oh promise me you're always gonna be
As sweet as you are
I love you when you're happy
I love you when you're blue
I love you when you're mad at me
So how can I get tired of you?
A lot of other girls I've seen
They know how to treat guys mean
But you would rather die than ever hurt me
So please don't ever change
No don't you ever change
No promise me you're always gonna be
As sweet as you are
The song "Don't Ever Change" by Brinsley Schwarz is an ode to the simplicity and authenticity of a girl the singer is in love with. The lyrics express how the singer finds the girl's lack of pretentiousness refreshing and endearing. She dresses in jeans and doesn't wear makeup, which is a stark contrast to the other girls the singer has seen who know how to play games and treat guys mean. The singer encourages her not to change and promises to love her no matter what.
The chorus of the song makes a plea for the girl to always remain sweet and true to herself. The singer even loves her when she's unhappy or mad at him, which shows how deep his love for her is. The girl might not know the latest dance moves, but her kisses let the singer know that she's not a tomboy, indicating that she can be both sweet and romantic.
The lyrics of "Don't Ever Change" highlight the importance of staying true to oneself and not compromising one's authenticity and values to please others. It's also a declaration of love that praises a simple and genuine spirit over flashy appearances and fickle behaviors.
Line by Line Meaning
You never wear a stitch of lace
You never dress up or pretend to be someone you're not
And powder's never on your face
You don't wear makeup or try to look different
You're always wearing jeans except on Sunday
You're comfortable being in casual clothes and don't feel the need to impress anyone
Oh please don't ever change
I love you just the way you are and don't want you to change
No don't you ever change
Please don't change your personality or behavior
I kinda like you just the way you are
I accept you for who you are and don't want you to change
You don't know the latest dance
You're not caught up in trends and fads
But when it's time to make romance
You know how to be intimate and show affection
Your kisses let me know you're not a tomboy
You may not be traditionally feminine but you know how to show love and tenderness
Oh promise me you're always gonna be
Please assure me that you won't change or become someone else
As sweet as you are
Stay as kind and loving as you are now
I love you when you're happy
I love all aspects of your personality and emotions
I love you when you're blue
I accept and support you during difficult times
I love you when you're mad at me
Even during conflict, my feelings towards you don't change
So how can I get tired of you?
I can't imagine ever losing interest in you or wanting you to change
A lot of other girls I've seen
I've met other girls who may be different from you
They know how to treat guys mean
They may play games or treat guys badly
But you would rather die than ever hurt me
You care deeply about me and would never intentionally harm me
So please don't ever change
I appreciate who you are and don't want you to change
No don't you ever change
Stay true to yourself and don't feel pressured to conform to societal norms or expectations
No promise me you're always gonna be
Please reassure me that you won't become someone else or change in a significant way
As sweet as you are
Stay kind and caring, just like you are now
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Gerry Goffin, Carole King
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
keykiyox
I learned this song by this version and it still makes me cry. Didn’t know that originally by the Crickets and the Beatles covered this as well. Music is how you deal with the material and Brinsley Schwartz did it right, quite right. I love this band.
Laura Marcus
Love this version. Whole album is great too.
Robert Willoughby
Yikes! I didn't know they'd covered this!
ronowen39
always liked this song
toru nagai
This song by Goffin & King. RIP Gerry Goffin.