Herman's Hermits was an internationally successful 60s British rock band, f… Read Full Bio ↴Herman's Hermits was an internationally successful 60s British rock band, from Manchester, England, formed in 1963. Part of the British Invasion, their trademark simple, non-threatening, clean-cut "boys next door" image made them easier to listen to and more accessible than other British Invasion bands.

Their first hit, "I'm Into Something Good", was produced by Mickie Most, reaching #1 in the UK (1963) and #13 in the US (1964). Other hits followed such as "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter" (1965) and "I'm Henry VIII, I Am". The last was said at the time to be "the fastest-selling song in history". The band played on these singles but many of their subsequent singles employed session musicians, including Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, with contributions from the band. The band's singles were written by top songwriters of the day. Regardless of how the records were made, the guitar player, Lek Leckenby, was a gifted guitarist. Indeed, all the other members were capable players and Peter Noone was a charismatic front man. The band was nominated for two Grammy awards in 1965, both for "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter". Noone and the band deliberately emphasized their Manchester accents on the record, which was never intended to be a single.

Born in Manchester, England, Noone was a child TV star in Coronation Street and in other TV work. He was still only 15 when he achieved international fame as teenage heart-throb as leader of the Hermits.

Herman's Hermits, whilst hugely successful in the mid-1960s, never topped the British charts again after their first hit, "I'm Into Something Good". However, they had two US No. 1's with "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter" and "I'm Henry the Eighth, I Am". The band disliked both songs, and never released them as singles in Britain. They appeared in several movies, including When The Boys Meet The Girls (1965) and Hold On! (1966). They also appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Dean Martin Show and The Jackie Gleason Show.

They enjoyed consistent success in Britain throughout the rest of the decade but they were even more popular in America for a while. Their hits continued until 1967's "No Milk Today". Soon, however, the Monkees had replaced Herman's Hermits as the simple pop rock act, and the Hermits' career declined. "There's a Kind of Hush (All Over the World)" engendered a revival, but the Hermits never again cracked the top 10 in the U.S. This song was, however, successfully covered by The Carpenters in their album "A Kind of Hush", released in 1976. The band continued releasing records throughout the 1970s with little success. In the end, Herman's Hermits were a band which were both blessed and cursed by the 'niche' in which originally they found success.

(Adapted from Wikipedia)

Don't Try to Hurt Me
Herman's Hermits Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I’ve been hurt by love
Too many times
Not to know the signs of breaking up
When they have been

Don’t try to hurt me
Don’t try to harm me
Don’t try to hurt me

Or You pay

‘Cos You know I get magic or bad
And when I get mad
You know I do things
I really shouldn’t do

I’ve told You once before
And I’ll tell You once again:
Don’t try to hurt me, or You pay

I’ve told You first time – easy girl
But that was almost second time
But there won’t be forgive

Don’t try to hurt me
Don’t try to harm me
Don’t try to hurt me
Or You pay

‘Cos You know I get magic or bad
And when I get mad
You know I do things
I really shouldn’t do

I’ve told You once before

And I’ll tell You once again:
Don’t try to hurt me
Don’t try to harm me
Don’t try to hurt me
Or You pay

Overall Meaning

In "Don't Try to Hurt Me," the singer expresses his fear of getting hurt by love again. Having been hurt too many times in the past, he is equipped with the knowledge of recognizing the signs of a failing relationship. He warns his lover not to try to hurt him, as he will not take it lightly. He knows that he has the potential to act irrationally when hurt, and he doesn't want to be put in that situation again. The lyrics make it clear that he has communicated this warning before and will not forgive any further attempts to cause him emotional harm.

The song portrays a level of vulnerability from the singer that showcases his fear of getting hurt more than anything else. He's been hurt before, and he's not willing to go through it again. He warns his lover to think twice before trying to break his heart. The lyrics also showcase his self-awareness; he knows he is not perfect and may act poorly when hurt. Therefore, he is trying to prevent any potential heartbreak before it happens.

Line by Line Meaning

I’ve been hurt by love
I have experienced emotional pain caused by love

Too many times
This has happened on multiple occasions

Not to know the signs of breaking up
I'm familiar with the indicators that a relationship is coming to an end

When they have been
As soon as I recognize these signs

Don’t try to hurt me
Please don't intentionally cause me emotional pain

Don’t try to harm me
I hope you won't cause me any physical harm

Or You pay
Otherwise, there will be consequences

‘Cos You know I get magic or bad
You know that I have unpredictable moods

And when I get mad
Especially when I become angry

You know I do things
I may behave inappropriately

I really shouldn’t do
Actions that I might regret later