Initially based in Canvey Island, Essex, on the Thames estuary, Dr. Feelgood broke into the London circuit in 1974. Brilleaux's menacing personality complemented Johnson's propulsive, jerky stage manner, while the guitarist's staccato style dominated the group's idiosyncratic brand of angular rhythm and blues.
Their debut album, Down By The Jetty, was released in 1974, but despite critical approbation, it was not until the following year that the quartet secured due commercial success with Stupidity. Recorded live in concert, this raw, compulsive set topped the UK charts and the group's status seemed assured. However, internal friction led to Johnson's departure during sessions for a projected fourth album and although his replacement, John 'Gypie' Mayo, was an accomplished guitarist, he lacked the striking visual image of his predecessor. Dr. Feelgood then embarked on a more mainstream direction which was only intermittently successful. 'Milk And Alcohol' (1978) gave them their sole UK Top 10 hit. After the punk explosion their raw, jerky sound and clean-cut image provided inspiration to the post-punk generation (John Lydon being a big fan).
Mayo left the band in 1981. Despite this, and various subsequent line-up changes, Dr. Feelgood continued touring and recording, although the band then suffered an almost career-finishing blow, when their frontman, Brilleaux, died of cancer on 7 April 1994. But, as Brilleaux had insisted prior to his demise, Dr. Feelgood reunited, initially with vocalist Pete Gage, and recommenced touring in 1996. Gage was replaced by Robert Kane who, celebrated his 1000th gig as the frontman of Dr. Feelgood in April 2007.
Following Brilleaux's death in 1994, a special concert known as the Lee Brilleaux Birthday Memorial was held on Canvey Island, where former and current Feelgoods celebrated the music of Dr. Feelgood, and raised money for The Fair Havens Hospice in Westcliff-on-Sea. Fans attended from all over the globe, and the 20th and final event was held on 9 May 2014.
You Don't Love Me
Dr. Feelgood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don't love me, yes i know
You don't love me, pretty baby
You don't love me and i know
If you leave me now, baby
Don't you know it's gonna hurt me so?
I'm gonna tell my papa too
I'm gonna tell my mama
I'm gonna tell my papa too
I'm gonna tell the old men
What these young girls do to you
You don't love me baby
You don't love me, yes i know
You don't love me, pretty baby
You don't love me and i know
If you say you're gonna leave me
Down that road you know i'll go
The song "You Don't Love Me" by Dr. Feelgood is a blues rock classic that speaks to the pain of unrequited love. The lyrics express the singer's sense of rejection as they come to terms with the fact that their partner doesn't feel the same way about them. The repeated refrain "You don't love me, yes I know" emphasizes the singer's sense of resignation and sadness. Despite this, the singer still loves their partner deeply, and when they contemplate the possibility of being left alone, they express their fear of the intense pain that they will feel, as demonstrated by the line "If you leave me now, baby, don't you know it's gonna hurt me so?"
The latter part of the song features the singer sharing their pain with their family and friends. They want to tell their mother, father, and even older men about what young girls do to men. The message here is that love can be a hurtful and painful experience, especially when it's unrequited. By telling everyone about their situation, the singer hopes to find some kind of solace or understanding.
In the end, the singer still loves their partner, and even though they know that their love is not reciprocated, they are willing to follow them to the end of the road. The sad yet powerful lyrics of the song convey a sense of heartbreak and rejection that many people can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't love me baby
I am aware that you don't have any genuine feelings of love for me.
You don't love me, yes i know
I am conscious of the fact that your feelings of love towards me are non-existent.
You don't love me, pretty baby
Your physical appearance might be attractive, but I am aware that there is no mutual romantic sentiment.
You don't love me and i know
I am certain that there is no love between us.
If you leave me now, baby
If you choose to terminate this relationship, I will be devastated.
Don't you know it's gonna hurt me so?
Are you aware of the emotional pain that will be inflicted upon me?
I'm gonna tell my mama
I will confide in my mother regarding the situation.
I'm gonna tell my papa too
I will divulge the information to my father as well.
I'm gonna tell the old men
I will disclose the misconduct of young women with older men.
What these young girls do to you
The young girls are guilty of leading older men into infatuation and heartbreak.
If you say you're gonna leave me
In the event that you verbally notify me of your decision to depart from me,
Down that road you know i'll go
I will inevitably head down the path of heartbreak and misery.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, CAMPBELL CONNELLY FRANCE, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ellas McDaniel, Willie Cobbs
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ianjrivers
This was the great comeback album for the new Dr Feelgood, back in '83, fresh new lineup and all great songs......
@MrKeefrichards
great classic feelgood song often overlooked by feelgood fans
@pit2ryan3
Originally written and recorded in 1960 by Willie Cobbs ... John Mayall (with Peter Green) covered it, also Allman Brothers did it ...
@MrRetromaniacs
Gordon Russell ROCKS - My favourite feelfoods album
@patrickhiggins6726
Indeed Graham, fantastic album!
@drfeelbad6322
Awesome
@laurentbabin1412
Enorme.
@chriscuttriss
yea
@janeough45
sublime joy xxlol
@yoeheart9443
You don't love me baby
You don't love me, yes i know
You don't love me, pretty baby
You don't love me and i know
If you leave me now, baby
Don't you know it's gonna hurt me so?
I'm gonna tell my mama
I'm gonna tell my papa too
I'm gonna tell my mama
I'm gonna tell my papa too
I'm gonna tell the old men
What these young girls do to you
You don't love me baby
You don't love me, yes i know
You don't love me, pretty baby
You don't love me and i know
If you say you're gonna leave me
Down that road you know i'll go