"'If You Don't Love Me' was among a batc… Read Full Bio ↴Paddy McAloon on this song:
"'If You Don't Love Me' was among a batch I wrote in frustration in autumn of last year where I thought there should be nothing in the way of understanding the lyric. No interview needs to be done to explain concepts of Elvis Presley and the desert and all that stuff. Just give it to 'em easy. If you strip away the disco-pop elements of 'If You Don't Love Me', there's an intimate ballad at the heart of it. When I wrote it, it was extremely personal, 'cuz there are only words like 'you' and 'I' - direct, but not too specific. If I'm supposed to be good, surely I can write something that doesn't need explanation." - Creem, date unknown
kylie minogue recorded a cover version: If You Don't Love Me that was included in her 2001 album hits+.
If You Don't Love Me
Prefab Sprout Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can tell me anything,
You can tell me anything,
I'll believe you,
You know it too
Shame the truth with lies
Say the sun won't rise
If you don't love me oh if you don't love me
I will know, I will know oh oh
If you don't love me oh if you don't love me
I will know
I will know
You can ask me anything,
You can ask me anything,
I will do it,
You know it too
Nothing I won't do
If you want me to
But it's also true
If you don't love me oh if you don't love me
I will know, I will know oh oh
If you don't love me oh if you don't love me
I will know
I will know
The song "If You Don't Love Me" by Prefab Sprout is a melancholic love song about a person's fear of being unloved by their partner. The repeated refrain of "If you don't love me, oh if you don't love me" highlights the singer's insecurity about their relationship. The song's first stanza suggests that the singer is willing to accept anything their partner tells them and believes them, even if they are lying to spare their feelings. The second stanza suggests that the singer is willing to do anything for their partner, highlighting their deep love and commitment. However, the final lines of both stanzas suggest that the singer knows deep down if their partner doesn't love them and they will know if their partner truly loves them or not. The song's overall message is that love is a powerful force that cannot be ignored, and the fear of not being loved can consume even the strongest relationships.
The song was released in 1985 as a part of Prefab Sprout's debut album "Swoon". It was written by the band's lead singer, Paddy McAloon. The album was critically acclaimed, and the song became one of the band's most popular and well-known songs. The song has been covered by several artists, including Harry Connick Jr. and Tom Baxter.
Line by Line Meaning
If you don't love me, oh if you don't love me
The singer addresses the possibility that their partner doesn't love them.
You can tell me anything,
The singer assures their partner that they can be honest about their feelings.
I'll believe you,
The singer trusts their partner to tell the truth.
You know it too
The singer is confident their partner understands they are open to honesty.
Shame the truth with lies
The singer recognizes that their partner may try to conceal the truth with deception.
Say the sun won't rise
The singer alludes to the idea that their partner may tell outlandish lies.
Only realize
The singer acknowledges that, even if their partner lies, they will eventually come to realize the truth.
I will know, I will know oh oh
The singer asserts that they will be able to tell if their partner doesn't love them, even if they don't admit it openly.
You can ask me anything,
The singer invites their partner to ask for anything they need.
I will do it,
The singer promises to go to great lengths for their partner.
You know it too
The singer believes their partner is aware of their commitment and willingness to help.
Nothing I won't do
The singer emphasizes the extent of their devotion to their partner.
But it's also true
The singer recognizes that their partner's love is necessary for the relationship to work.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PADDY MCALOON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
RED Knight
One of the greatest song writers of modern times. Sad Paddy is not more known. Genuine genius
jml2621
Absolute Cole Porter of our time.
Fredrik Bolms
He sure is. It's weird that Prefab Sprout isn't more well known. I like to think about it as an exclusive club. We who know, we know.
stephane buissez
Yes
Seagreentangerine
Oh he's recognised, don't worry about that, the man is truly humble though and he's very forgiving of Thomas Dolby's military behaviour lol. I saw Thomas in session and he's not the cuddly Teddy bear geek you'd image, he's got cold steel running through his veins lol Vastly talented but a real dictator 💕
simp777
100 % right
Julio Cortés
Máximo éxito de Prefab Sprout en los charts de USA, en el otoño de 1992. En los dance charts, algo increíble para esa gran banda.
IstheBeast Bestia
de las mejores canciones de prefab sprout sin duda,ritmico,contagioso,bailable,gran banda alternativa,disfrutenla
Gary Walsh
A pop masterpiece from 1992 — likely one of my top 5 Prefab Sprout recordings. Though it's lyrically simpler than many McAloon classics — between the gorgeous melody, Paddy's beautiful vocal and the lavish and sweeping Stephen Lipson production, it all comes together with stunning results. It does sound closer to Pet Shop Boys than they've ever been (which for me is a good thing), but rarely have they achieved this kind of urgency, drive and climactic finale (well, they certainly did with "Scarlet Nights"). Happily, they also made one of their best videos to promote it.
Joe Dent
The pointless and lingering shot on the fun-bags was inspired. Truly Art.