Spedding was raised by adoptive parents in Sheffield before moving to Birmingham. During the late 1960s and early 1970s he became known as a guitar player on sessions for Alan Price, Jack Bruce, Pete Brown's Battered Ornaments and others. During this time he was also playing jazz with Nucleus and recorded and toured with Mike Gibbs. He was a session player on Harry Nilsson's breakthrough album, Nilsson Schmilsson, recorded in London.
During 1972-74 Spedding played a central role in Sharks, initially with ex-Free bassist Andy Fraser. They recorded two albums and toured with Roxy Music. After that, he toured and recorded with John Cale. He also played with Roy Harper's occasional backing band Trigger, notably on 1975's HQ album.
In 1975 Spedding had a Top Twenty solo hit in the UK with "Motor Bikin'", but subsequently became better known as a session guitarist, appearing and recording with Bryan Ferry, Roxy Music, Elton John, Brian Eno, Jack Bruce, Nick Mason and Katie Melua, amongst others. During the mid 1970s, he even took part in the Wombles' UK tour in full furry costume, whilst wielding his trademark Gibson Flying V.
Spedding recorded a version of the American singer-songwriter Garland Jeffreys' song, "Wild In The Streets", on his own Hurt album. The song has since been covered by the Circle Jerks and is featured on Tony Hawk's American Wasteland.
He also was the producer of the Sex Pistols first demos, which were recorded on 15 May 1976. The three tracks recorded were "Problems", "No Feelings" and "Pretty Vacant".
He made an appearance in Paul McCartney's Give My Regards to Broad Street in 1984, playing guitar in a session with McCartney and his wife, Linda. In 1995, he played on Willy DeVille's Big Easy Fantasy, and later that year, on his album Loup Garou.
Spedding was producer of the first two albums by Canadian rockabilly band "The Razorbacks" entitled "Go to Town"(1988) and "Live a Little"(1989).
Spedding has had a long association with rockabilly legend Robert Gordon recording the classic albumn 'Live at the Lonestar' in 1989. Their cover of Springsteen's 'Fire' is reported to be the Boss' favorite version.
In 2011 Spedding and Steve Parsons (aka "Snips", former vocalist with Sharks) are back together with Martin Chambers (Pretenders) on drums, Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols) on bass, and a new mysterious guitarist named Sixteen, making a five-piece band called King Mob.
Hurt By Love
Chris Spedding Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Twist my arm behind my back
Burn me with a lighted match
Bind me with ropes and chains
None of these things can cause me pain
I can be hurt by love
So hurt by love
I can be hurt by love
Yes, hurt by love
Hurt by love
So hurt by love
Where do I hurt
I can be hurt
I'm hurt by love
Hurt by love
Stick a ring through my nose
Drag me across burning coals
Cough out a witch's curse
The pain of love's far worse
I can be hurt by love
Hurt by love
So hurt by love
Hurt by love
Hurt by love
Hurt by love
So hurt by love
I can be hurt (hurt)
I can be hurt (hurt)
I can be hurt (hurt)
Hurt by love (hurt)
Take it easy now
Said, take it easy
Take it down
Way down
To the floor
Hurt me a little more now
Hurt me
Hurt me
Oh, yeah
Oh, yeah
Hurt
Hurt
Hurt
Hurt
I can be hurt by love
So hurt by love
So hurt by love
Hurt me
Hurt me
Hurt me
Hurt me
Hurt me
Aghh!
Aghh!
Hurt me
Hurt me
Hurt me
Hurt me
Hurt me
Well, I can be hurt by love
The lyrics of Chris Spedding's song 'Hurt By Love' explore the idea that love has a unique power to cause pain. The singer of the song claims that he can endure physical torture such as having his arm twisted behind his back, being burned with a lighted match, or being bound with ropes and chains without experiencing pain. However, he admits that he can be hurt by love, and that the pain caused by love is far worse than any physical pain he could endure. This idea is emphasized by the repetition of 'hurt by love' throughout the song, which intensifies the emotional impact of the lyrics.
Through the use of seemingly extreme examples such as having a ring stuck through his nose or being dragged across burning coals, the singer emphasizes the severity of the pain caused by love, indicating that it can be just as agonizing as physical torture. Lastly, the repetition of the phrase "hurt me" at the end of the song creates a sense of desperation and helplessness, indicating that the singer feels as though he has no choice but to endure the pain of love.
In conclusion, the lyrics of 'Hurt By Love' convey the idea that love has the power to cause intense pain, and that this pain can be just as debilitating as physical torture. The song shows how the singer is helpless in the face of this pain, and how it can dominate one's life, which is a sentiment felt by many who have experienced heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
Twist my arm behind my back
Physical pain inflicted upon me does not affect me, it is futile in comparison to the emotional pain caused by love
Burn me with a lighted match
Even the most extreme forms of physical torture are like child's play compared to the emotional pain caused by love
Bind me with ropes and chains
Bondage, degradation, and humiliation are nothing when compared to the pain inflicted upon me by love
None of these things can cause me pain
Physical torture is powerless in comparison to the pain caused by love
Stick a ring through my nose
Even mutilation and disfigurement are nothing in comparison to the emotional pain caused by love
Drag me across burning coals
The most agonizing form of physical torture, like being burned alive, is insignificant in comparison to the pain caused by love
Cough out a witch's curse
Even supernatural curses and spells cannot compare to the pain caused by love
The pain of love's far worse
The pain caused by love is greater than any physical or supernatural torture
Where do I hurt
I am in emotional pain and do not know how to cope with it
Stick a ring through my nose
Even mutilation and disfigurement are nothing in comparison to the emotional pain caused by love
Take it easy now
Please be gentle with me, I am already hurting so much from love
Hurt me a little more now
I am so consumed by emotional pain caused by love that I am numb, I need more hurt to feel alive
Well, I can be hurt by love
Despite all the physical pain I can endure, nothing could prepare me for the pain caused by love
Contributed by Mason H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dom Peyote
His BEST solo effort. Sad there was no US release. I asked him about it at a Robert Gordon gig. He had to blondes in each arm, and was polite, and thanked me for liking it, but I KNEW that wasn't the time to talk about it lol.
Jeremy Fordrey
Chris Spedding's a joy to listen to. I recommend his eponymous album from 1976 too. Some fantastic songs on it like Guitar Jamboree, Bedsit Girl. He was a fantastic mentor to the Sex Pistols, particularly Steve Jones. It's widely claimed he played guitar on their records. Not true, it was all Jonesy's work. He just got encouragement from Spedding
myoldmate
Chris is great, now and always has been, just never caught on mainstream. Wonderful guitarist . Hey, Miss Betty is my jam.
Kali Kava
One of my all-time favorite songs! Love the energy and guitar!! Mr. Spedding is one of the GREATS.
David Ellis
Saw him as a member of Robert Gordon's band in 1980. This was a huge hit on KROQ. Much of the guitar work on Sex Pistols record is his. Ace player.
Dean VanDyke
David Ellis this has been refuted ad nauseum by Steve Jones, Chris Thomas, and Spedding himself. That's ALL Steve Jones on that record. Unmistakably Jonesy.
David Ellis
@Dean VanDyke urban myths really do spread. I have heard the Rod Stewart stomach pumping one for 40 years. I trust the word of Chris Thomas he produced that brilliant mess.
Jon Combs
The bass man Herbie Flowers kicks it deep in the pocket
Greg Parker
Have had this song in my head,regularly,since it was released in the mid 1970s....
Duane Anderson
fantastic!