Despite producing an excellent, melodic, catchy and very Magnum-like self-titled album the band was relatively short-lived with Clarkin announcing it's demise around 1999. The album "Hard Rain" (1997), follows the previous Magnum formula with Catley's superb vocals, Clarkin's guitars and use of backing keyboards in the older "prog rock" tradition; as well as a slightly funkier beat and harmonic backing vocals (Sue McCloskey). A second, more experimental album, "When the Good Times Come" followed in 1999.
In 1981, two tracks were written and produced by Clarkin and were sung by Sue McCloskey, a friend of Magnum. They were entitled "Really Need Your Love" and "Lost Inside Myself". After Catley left Hard Rain, Clarkin continued to write material with McCloskey. Some of these songs were broadcast on radio during an interview with Clarkin. Two of these songs surfaced as Magnum songs, "Still" and "Dream About You" on Magnum's 2002 studio album, Breath of Life.
Often overlooked but if you are a long-standing fan of Magnum then you're very likely to want the album "Hard Rain" in your collection as it rivals the best that the former band had to offer.
Stop Me From Lovin' You
Hard Rain Lyrics
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Ain't no pleasure, ain't no pain
I won't ever be the same
Took your love and run
I'm the loser from now on
It's crazy
I've got trouble on my mind
Can't believe you're gone
I've been crying all night long
Open up and let me in
(Just enough)
I don't know where to begin
(Open up)
Open up and let me in
You'd better stop me from loving you
(Can't stop you now)
Stop me from loving you
(Can't stop or try to)
'Cause deep in the night (can't stop you)
Into the storm (can't stop you)
Who's holding you tight (can't stop you)
Keeping you warm (can't stop you)
Stop me from loving you
(Can't stop you now)
Tell me I'm through
Oh, baby
Ain't no pleasure, ain't no pain
I won't ever be the same
Took your love and run
I'm the loser from now on
Open up and let me in
(Just enough)
I don't know where to begin
(Open up)
Open up and let me in
You'd better stop me from loving you
(Can't stop you now)
Stop me from loving you
(Can't stop or try to)
'Cause deep in the night (can't stop you)
Into the storm (can't stop you)
Who's holding you tight (can't stop you)
Keeping you warm (can't stop you)
Stop me from loving you
(Can't stop you now)
Tell me I'm through
I can walk the line
You can see my face
What can I do?
In another time
In another place
I get to you
You'd better stop me from loving you
(Can't stop you now)
Stop me from loving you
(Can't stop or try to)
'Cause deep in the night (can't stop you)
Into the storm (can't stop you)
Who's holding you tight (can't stop you)
Keeping you warm (can't stop you)
Stop me from loving you
(Can't stop you now)
Tell me I'm through
(Can't stop you now)
(Can't stop or try to)
(Can't stop you)
(Can't stop you)
(Can't stop you)
(Can't stop you)
(Can't stop you now)
The song "Stop Me From Lovin' You" by Hard Rain is a heartfelt tune about a man who is struggling to overcome the end of a relationship. He admits that he won't ever be the same, and that he has been crying all night long. Despite his troubles, he still longs to be with his ex-lover, as apparent in the line "Open up and let me in." He pleads with his former partner, asking them to stop him from loving them, as he can't seem to do so himself. The repeated phrase "Can't stop you now" reflects the singer's frustration with his inability to move on from the relationship, and highlights the powerlessness that he feels in the face of his emotions.
The second verse builds on the first, with the singer describing his desperation to be with his ex-lover, even though he knows it's not possible ("In another time, in another place, I get to you"). The chorus is repeated three times throughout the song, emphasizing the singer's struggle to let go of his love for his ex-partner. The final repetition of the chorus, with the lines "Tell me I'm through" indicates that the singer is ready to move on, yet is still afraid of the consequences of doing so.
Overall, "Stop Me From Lovin' You" is a poignant and relatable song that reflects the universal experience of heartbreak and the difficult process of letting go of a lost love.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, baby
Addressing the subject of the song in a loving or affectionate way
Ain't no pleasure, ain't no pain
There is no feeling or sensation, possibly referencing a numb or desensitized state
I won't ever be the same
The subject's world has changed drastically since losing the love they once had
Took your love and run
The love they had was taken away quickly or unexpectedly
I'm the loser from now on
The artist feels like they lost the love and relationship, making them feel like a loser
It's crazy
The situation or the feelings associated with it are hard to understand or cope with
I've got trouble on my mind
The singer is struggling with thoughts and emotions related to the lost love
Didn't mean to be unkind
The artist is showing remorse for possibly acting harshly or rudely towards the subject of the song
Can't believe you're gone
The artist is having a hard time accepting that the subject is no longer a part of their life
I've been crying all night long
The artist has been emotional and crying throughout the night
Open up and let me in (Just enough)
The singer is requesting the subject to be more open and honest with them
I don't know where to begin (Open up)
The artist is feeling lost and unsure of how to proceed or communicate with the subject
You'd better stop me from loving you (Can't stop you now)
The singer is conflicted and struggling to stop themselves from feeling love towards the subject
Deep in the night (can't stop you)/Into the storm (can't stop you)/Who's holding you tight (can't stop you)/Keeping you warm (can't stop you)
The subject is on the singer's mind constantly, even during times of darkness or turmoil
Tell me I'm through
The singer is seeking validation or closure in regards to their feelings for the subject
I can walk the line/You can see my face/What can I do?
The singer is putting on a brave face or trying to show strength, but is still struggling with their feelings
In another time/In another place/I get to you
The artist is imagining a scenario where they can be with the subject again
Contributed by Mason P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.