Gerry Marsden (1942-2021) formed Gerry & The Pacemakers in the late 1950s with his brother, Fred Marsden (died 2006), Les Chadwick (1943-2019) and Arthur Mack. They rivalled The Beatles early in their career, playing in the same areas of Hamburg, Germany, and Liverpool, England, and being from Liverpool, managed by Brian Epstein, and recorded by George Martin. Mack was replaced on piano by Les Maguire ()born 1941) around 1961. They are known to have rehearsed at Camell Laird shipping yard at Birkenhead.
They began recording in early 1963 with "How Do You Do It?", a Mitch Murray written song that both Adam Faith and The Beatles had turned down (in the latter case because they wanted to record their own material, specifically "Please Please Me"). The song became a number one hit, until being replaced at the top by The Beatles' third single, "From Me to You".
Gerry & the Pacemakers next two singles, Murray's "I Like It" and Rodgers and Hammerstein's "You'll Never Walk Alone", both also reached number one in the UK Singles Chart. Never before had the first three singles by a performer all reached the top spot (the feat would not be duplicated until Frankie Goes to Hollywood did it in the 1980s).
Despite this early success, Gerry & the Pacemakers never had another number one single in the U.S. Gerry Marsden began writing most of their own songs, including "It's All Right", "I'm the One", and "Ferry Cross the Mersey", as well as their first and biggest U.S. hit, "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying". All of these represented the band's light, poppy, enjoyable sound. They also starred in a moderately successful early 1965 film called Ferry Cross the Mersey, for which Marsden wrote much of the soundtrack.
By later in 1965, though, their popularity was rapidly declining on both sides of the Atlantic. They lacked the innovation of the Beatles and did not have the rawer musical and visual edge of some of the other British Invasion groups, and they soon seemed un-hip. They disbanded in October 1966 with much of their latter recorded material never released in the UK.
Gerry Marsden became a popular cabaret and children's TV entertainer. He reformed the band in 1972 with prominent Liverpool musicians Jose McLaughlin, Billy Kinsley and Pete Clarke. In April 1973, this second version of the group became the only Merseybeat band to ever record for the John Peel Show on BBC Radio. The tracks from that show have now been included on the album Gerry & the Pacemakers Live at the BBC, released on Parlophone Records in October 2018. Subsequently, Marsden occasionally toured with various line-ups of the band on the oldies circuit. Gerry Marsden announced his retirement on 29 November 2018.
The band is probably best remembered for their version of "You'll Never Walk Alone," which has become the anthem for Liverpool Football Club in England. Liverpool's fans sing the song before every match at Anfield, their home stadium.
Fall in Love
Gerry & The Pacemakers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maybe I am living in the past
But when I meet the right one
I know that I'll be true
My first love will be the last
When I fall in love it will be forever
Or I'll never fall in love
Love is ended before it began
And too many moonlight kisses
Seem to cool in the warmth of the sun
When I give my heart it will be completely
Or I'll never, never, never give my heart
And the moment I can feel that you feel that way too
Is when I give my heart to you
The lyrics of Gerry & The Pacemakers's song, 'When Oh When' reflect someone who is perhaps an old soul and feels that they may be living in the past. They believe that they are too idealistic when it comes to love and loyal to their first love. They still hold on to the belief that there is a "right one" out there that is meant for them and when they do meet them, they will finally be able to give their heart completely with the confidence that their love will last forever.
The lyrics also express the singer's notion that love in today's society is often fleeting and short-lived. They suggest that too many people experience "moonlight kisses" that end up cooling as soon as they are touched by the warmth of the sun. This reflects the belief that love is often not sustained and people are quick to move on from old relationships just as soon as new ones arise. The singer's view of love is more romantic and idealistic, and they believe that when they finally meet someone who shares this view, they will be able to give themselves to them completely.
Overall, the lyrics of 'When Oh When' are reflective of someone who has perhaps been hurt in love before and is now hesitant to give their heart to someone else again. They are looking for someone who they know will appreciate and love them just as they are, and who will be willing to accept and reciprocate their love in the same way.
Line by Line Meaning
Maybe I'm old fashioned, feeling as I do
Perhaps my conservative nature makes me think this way
Maybe I am living in the past
I might be nostalgic or stuck in outdated thoughts
But when I meet the right one
However, once I encounter my soulmate
I know that I'll be true
I am sure that I will be faithful
My first love will be the last
The person I fall in love with for the first time will be my forever love
When I fall in love it will be forever
If I ever fall in love, it will be a perpetual feeling
Or I'll never fall in love
Alternatively, I may never experience the emotion of love
In a restless world like this is
In a world full of anxiety and disorder
Love is ended before it began
A romantic relationship can come to an abrupt end before even starting
And too many moonlight kisses
Frequently indulging in romantic moments
Seem to cool in the warmth of the sun
These passionate instances never seem to last forever, only fading away as time passes
When I give my heart it will be completely
Whenever I make an emotional commitment, it will be my wholehearted dedication
Or I'll never, never, never give my heart
Otherwise, I may never give any portion of my heart
And the moment I can feel that you feel that way too
Once I sense that you have the same feelings as I do
Is when I give my heart to you
I will give my heart entirely and exclusively to you
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Edward Heyman, Victor Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind