Dubstar released their debut album 'Disgraceful' on Food Records in the Autumn of 1995 to worldwide critical and commercial success. Disgraceful features four UK Top 40 singles including the dreampop classic Stars, perennial radio favourite Not So Manic Now and The Day I see You Again, a ballad that revisits a broken relationship that's been covered by artists as diverse as Claudia Brücken and Bon Bob Club. A timely female led version of Billy Bragg's St Swithin's Day caught the imagination of the music press; an instrumental version was even used as the theme for the BBC's coverage of the Euro '96 football championship.
The follow up album Goodbye was released two years later and spawned another three UK Top 40 singles including No More Talk, a number one radio hit in the UK. Both albums were produced by Stephen Hague.
Third album Make It Better was released in 2000 and includes the fan-favourite Self Same Thing, their last single for Food Records. A belated compilation 'Stars…the best of Dubstar' was released by EMI in 2004.
Following a twelve year hiatus, Dubstar announced the recording of new material in 2012 and release their fourth, as yet untitled album in 2013, again working with Stephen Hague.
Not Once Not Ever
Dubstar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your reputation quite true
These are thoughts I've held on
And saved inside for you
I remember
Couldn't trust you once, not ever
It could be three
You know it's hard to recall
I was younger I thought it was me
Maybe you were someone else then too
I remember
Couldn't trust you once, not ever
It's the same old thing
You know I said it from the start
That living together is something you do
Married is something you are
Now
I remember
Couldn't trust you once, not ever
And even after all this
I writing to you now
To be reminded of it all
Darling can you hear me
Do you understand
Our best decisions so often were unplanned
I remember
Couldn't trust you once, not ever
Not ever
Not ever
Not ever
The lyrics of Dubstar's song "Not Once Not Ever" seem to revolve around a turbulent relationship and the trust issues that may have occurred within it. The singer of the song is addressing a friend whose reputation for untrustworthiness has apparently been confirmed by the singer's own experiences. The lines "These are thoughts I've held on/And saved inside for you" suggest a long-standing history between the two individuals, perhaps one in which the singer has been reluctant to confront their friend about their behavior.
The chorus of the song, which repeats the phrase "Couldn't trust you once, not ever," reinforces the sense of betrayal and disillusionment that the singer feels. The verses offer some additional details about the relationship, including the fact that it began when the singer was younger and less experienced. There is a sense that the singer may have been somewhat naive or vulnerable in the beginning, only to realize later on that their friend was not who they seemed to be.
Overall, "Not Once Not Ever" is a song about the difficulty of trust in relationships, the confusion that can arise when someone's true nature is revealed, and the lasting impact of those experiences on our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello my dear friend
The singer addresses the person they are talking to as a friend.
Your reputation quite true
The singer acknowledges that they have heard things about the person they are talking to and they believe those things are true.
These are thoughts I've held on
The singer has been thinking about what they want to say and has held those thoughts inside until now.
And saved inside for you
The thoughts the artist has been holding inside are meant to be shared with the person they are talking to.
I remember
The artist is recalling a past experience or situation.
Couldn't trust you once, not ever
The singer has lost trust in the person they are talking to and will never trust them again.
Maybe it's been two years
The singer is unsure of the exact timeframe but remembers that it was some time ago.
It could be three
The artist is uncertain about how much time has passed since the situation they are referring to occurred.
You know it's hard to recall
The artist is having difficulty remembering all the details of the event.
I was younger I thought it was me
The artist thought that they were the problem in the situation when they were younger and did not realize the other person was at fault.
Maybe you were someone else then too
The singer suggests that the person they are talking to may have changed since the event took place.
It's the same old thing
The issue the artist is referring to is something that has happened before and is not a new problem.
You know I said it from the start
The singer has expressed their opinion or feelings about the situation from the beginning.
That living together is something you do
The singer believes that living together is a choice that people make.
Married is something you are
The singer believes that being married is not just a choice, but is a fundamental part of who a person is.
Now
The artist is bringing the conversation back to the present moment.
And even after all this
Despite the time that has passed, the artist is still holding onto their feelings and thoughts about the situation.
I writing to you now
The singer is expressing their thoughts through a letter or message.
To be reminded of it all
The singer wants to remember the situation and the feelings they had in order to address them.
Darling can you hear me
The artist is asking if the person they are talking to is listening and paying attention to what they are saying.
Do you understand
The artist wants to know if the person they are talking to comprehends what they are saying.
Our best decisions so often were unplanned
The artist is reflecting on how their decisions were not always made with careful consideration and planning.
Not ever
The singer emphasizes that they will never trust the person they are talking to again.
Not ever
The artist reiterates that they will never trust the person they are talking to again.
Not ever
The singer emphasizes one last time that they will never trust the person they are talking to again.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: STEVE HILLIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Roiy Benkel
Hello my dear friend
Your reputation quite true
These are thoughts I've held on
And saved inside for you
I remember
Couldn't trust you once, not ever
Maybe it's been two years
It could be three
You know it's hard to recall
I was younger I thought it was me
Maybe you were someone else then too
I remember
Couldn't trust you once, not ever
It's the same old thing
You know I said it from the start
That living together is something you do
Married is something you are
Now
I remember
Couldn't trust you once, not ever
And even after all this
I writing to you now
To be reminded of it all
Darling can you hear me
Do you understand
Our best decisions so often were unplanned
I remember
Couldn't trust you once, not ever
Not ever
Not ever
Not ever
Dora D.
this melody somehow makes me cry every time I hear it.
moby boy
this is a good example how the word "pop" doesnt have to sound cheap and nasty like Katy Perry and GA GA
M Grayl1983
And no autotune in sight, unlike todays ahem "Talents"...
Александр Дедков
what is Sarah's angelic voice, just lovely, Dubstars One of the best pop groups, well, for me that's for sure)))
Jasper_1979
The fact that this simply brilliant tune did not get released as a single from this album proves how strong the collection of songs truly was.
Kate WolfSpirit
The sign of a good song is that it doesn't sound dated 20 or 30 years after it was released. This still sounds as fresh today as it did in 1995. Loved this album.
David Copson
True.
TheXptachh
My #1 song in the UK back in '96. - Somewhy it lingers on and does not let go.
Rik Blackburn
At the same time both fragile and imperious. A rare lyrical talent sadly passed over
Roiy Benkel
Hello my dear friend
Your reputation quite true
These are thoughts I've held on
And saved inside for you
I remember
Couldn't trust you once, not ever
Maybe it's been two years
It could be three
You know it's hard to recall
I was younger I thought it was me
Maybe you were someone else then too
I remember
Couldn't trust you once, not ever
It's the same old thing
You know I said it from the start
That living together is something you do
Married is something you are
Now
I remember
Couldn't trust you once, not ever
And even after all this
I writing to you now
To be reminded of it all
Darling can you hear me
Do you understand
Our best decisions so often were unplanned
I remember
Couldn't trust you once, not ever
Not ever
Not ever
Not ever