General Public signed to I.R.S. Records and released All the Rage (1984). However, by the time the album was released, Jones was no longer a member of General Public, although he did play guitar on the majority of the album's tracks. Kevin White (who also played on the album) was now the group's official guitarist and sixth member.
In Britain, General Public had a minor hit with the eponymous track called "General Public", which reached # 60. The band fared better in North America, where their second single "Tenderness" was a top 40 hit in the US and Canada, reaching #27 on the U.S. charts, thanks in part to heavy play from MTV and Los Angeles-based modern rock station KROQ. (Ironically, The Beat never had any top 40 hits in the UK.) [Chart info cited from: The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, Billboard Books (2004).]
For the follow-up album, White and Stoker were replaced by brothers Gianni Minardi and Mario Minardi on guitar and drums, respectively. Unfortunately, despite featuring a track from the soundtrack to Weird Science, Hand to Mouth (1986) was significantly less successful than the debut album, and the band soon split up. They both front two versions of the band, with Roger & Everett Moreton ( as The Beat ) in the UK & Dave in America ( as The English Beat ).
Roger and Wakeling worked on various solo projects for the next few years, before reuniting in 1994 to perform a cover of The Staple Singers hit "I'll Take You There" for the Threesome soundtrack. The song, credited to General Public, was a surprise top 40 hit in the US and Canada, and a minor hit (#73) in the UK.
The duo (now the only members of General Public) stayed together to release the album Rub It Better in 1995, recorded with the aid of producer Jerry Harrison. But sales were dismal, and Roger was tired of the grind of touring, so they soon broke up again.
Beginning in 2000, Dave Wakeling began calling his backing band alternately either General Public or The English Beat. He then toured (mostly in North America) as either "The English Beat featuring Dave Wakeling" or "Dave Wakeling & General Public". Aside from Wakeling, this new backing band featured no original members of The (English) Beat or General Public, although reportedly Ranking Roger and other Beat members turned up as guest performers at a handful of shows.
Never You Done That
General Public Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well I guess I should
The second night was just as good
By the end of the week we were living as one
Gone two years now we're still together
Day in and day out
For however long
That could last forever
Day in and day out
For however long
Each time we kiss you're the perfect stranger
So me say
Don't never you go
Too far away from me girl
Never you done that
Don't never you go too far away
Don't even think of saying it
Don't never you go
Too far away from me girl
Never you done that
Don't never you mention certain words about
No no
Never you done that
Never you done that
Never you done that
Take another stab
Try another play
Maybe a little drink will take the edge off
I'm trying not to slip
Trying to get a grip
But each time we kiss you're the perfect stranger
So me say
Don't never you go
Too far away from me girl
Never you done that
Don't never you mention certain words about
No no
Never you done that
Never you done that
No never you done that
Never you done that
Tired all day
Can't sleep at night
Out of control since
You've been in my sights
Day in day out
It's such a fright
Till you hold me close
And say that it's alright
Don't never you go
Too far away from me girl
Never you mention certain words about
No no
Never you done that
Never you done that
Never you done that
No, never you done that
Never you done that
Never you done that
Well who would've guessed?
Well I guess I might
Another cheerless restless night
Another day gone none too bright
Gone two years do you still remember?
That all the while my mouth was saying "Go"
My heart was screaming no no no
Turn around and look at me
You'll find me on my knees
Saying please please
Don't never you go
Too far away from me girl
Never you done that
Don't never you go too far away
Don't even think of saying it
Don't never you go
Don't never you go far
No never you done that
Never you mention certain words about
No no no no no no no no no no
No, never you done that
Never you done that
Never you done that
Never you done that
Never you done that
Never you done that
No never you done that
Never you
Never you
Never ever ever you
The lyrics to "Never You Done That" by General Public describe the intensity and the fear of losing a passionate relationship. The verses describe the progression of a whirlwind romance, as a couple becomes fully intertwined after only a week together. The love is so strong and so all-consuming that the singer is terrified of losing it. The chorus is a plea for the lover not to leave or abandon the relationship. The repetition of "Never you done that" is a warning to the lover not to mention leaving or ending the relationship in any way, as it might rock the foundation of the love they have built.
The lyrics speak to the idea that love can be all-consuming and difficult to maintain, and that even the smallest hint of trouble can make a relationship fall apart. The repeated refrain of "Never you done that" speaks to the fear of abandonment and the need to maintain the status quo in a relationship that is passionate and intense, but also fragile.
Overall, the lyrics to "Never You Done That" are a testament to the complexity and fragility of love, and the constant effort it takes to maintain a relationship. They also speak to the fear that comes with falling in love, and the difficulty of letting go when things don't work out.
Line by Line Meaning
Well who would've guessed?
I'm surprised by what's happened.
Well I guess I should
I probably should have seen this coming.
The second night was just as good
Our second night together was great, just like the first.
By the end of the week we were living as one
Within a week of being together, we were already living as a couple.
Gone two years now we're still together
It's been two years and we're still together.
Day in and day out
Every day, all the time.
For however long
For as long as possible.
It's the kind of love
We have a special kind of love.
That could last forever
Our love could last forever.
Each time we kiss you're the perfect stranger
Even though we're in a relationship, every kiss feels like the first time.
So me say
I say
Don't never you go
Never leave me.
Too far away from me girl
Don't go too far away from me.
Never you done that
Don't ever do that.
Don't even think of saying it
Don't even consider saying it.
Don't never you mention certain words about
Don't ever mention those words to me.
No no
Absolutely not.
Take another stab
Make another attempt.
Try another play
Try a new tactic.
Maybe a little drink will take the edge off
Maybe a drink will help me relax.
I'm trying not to slip
I'm trying to stay in control.
Trying to get a grip
Trying to gain control of the situation.
Tired all day
I'm exhausted all day.
Can't sleep at night
I have trouble falling asleep at night.
Out of control since
Things have been crazy since you came into my life.
You've been in my sights
I've been focused on you.
It's such a fright
It's scary.
Till you hold me close
Until you hold me, I'm afraid.
And say that it's alright
And reassure me that everything is okay.
Another cheerless restless night
Another night without you that's sad and difficult.
Another day gone none too bright
Another day that's not very exciting or fulfilling.
Do you still remember?
Do you remember what we've been through together?
That all the while my mouth was saying "Go"
Even though I was saying it was best to leave, I didn't really want to.
My heart was screaming no no no
My heart was screaming for you to stay.
Turn around and look at me
Look at me.
You'll find me on my knees
I'm begging you.
Saying please please
Please don't leave me.
Never you done that
Never do that.
Don't never you go far
Don't go too far.
No never you done that
Never do that.
Never ever ever you
Never do it.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Spirit Music Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: MICK BILLINGHAM, ROGER CHARLERY, DAVID WAKELING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bozo Ono
RIP Rankin, Rodger! Your music was something that I grew up on as a teenager during the 80's. Thank you for contributing joy to my life.
Briar Ashton
@Odin Darian Happy to help :D
Odin Darian
@Briar Ashton Thank you, I went there and it seems like a nice service :D I appreciate it!!
Major Keanu
@Briar Ashton yea, been watching on flixzone for years myself =)
Briar Ashton
@Odin Darian I watch on flixzone. Just google for it =)
Odin Darian
I realize I'm kinda off topic but does anyone know of a good place to watch new series online?
cubalz
This song always makes me smile. General Public was a very special band. RIP Ranking Roger
Stella Rocquie
Met Roger one night back stage at the Ritz in NYC, around 1981. I asked him where his accent was from. He said, "Birmingham". I said, "Alabama?" I was drunk and being sincere. We both LAUGHED OUR ASSES OFF! Nice guy. This is my favorite GP tune. Rest in peace, Roger.
Gloria Valenzuela
I'm so glad I was a teenager in the 80s!
MrPESensation
CORRECT!!