Pagan was a gifted vocalist. His light, floating tenor was as serenading as Smokey Robinson's, but more ardent when he came down from the clouds. His melodious crooning got some chart action on a remake of Bread's "Make It With You" (1971) for Wand Records (Fania contracted with Wand during this period). Two years later, he scored a minor charter with "Soul Je T'aime" with Sylvia Robinson (now there's a duet made in heaven) on Robinson's Vibration label; but its success was modest at number 39 R&B and 99 pop on Billboard. Other singles include "Didn't Want to Have to Do It," "Just for a Little While," and "Come Back Baby."
In addition to the four Fania albums, he had an obvious hand in Ralfi Pagan Presents Johnny Nelson, which is quite an item among collectors; Low Profile Records also reissued his second Fania album, Ralfi Pagan With Love. Examples of Pagan's haunting vocals can be found on ITP Records' East Side Classics series.
I Never Thought You'd Leave Me
Ralfi Pagan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've killed my every dream
Torture and sadness
These things you left me
Pain when I′m lonely
Drives me insane
You left me for another
Then you'll remember
That day in September
Leaving behind a fool such as I
Memories of long ago
Love letters
They provoke
Words of Love so meaningful
Passions full of every thrill
I never thought you′d leave, oh,oh,oh
I never thought you′d leave me
I'll always remember
That day in September
I never thought you′d leave me
(Instrumentals)
Memories of long ago
Love letters
They provoke
Words of Love so meaningful
Passions full of every thrill
I never thought you'd leave me, oh,oh,oh
I never thought you′d leave me
Torture and sadness
These things you left me
I never thought you'd leave me
(Last verse in Spanish)
(Chorus) Porque me dejaste
Ralfi: Cuando menos lo esperaba
Ralfi: Yo que todo a tí te daba
Ralfi: Nunca te perdonó por dejarme
Ralfi: Dolor y tristeza me dejaste
Ralfi: Algún día la pagarás
Ralfi: El maldito día que me dejaste
Ralfi: Falsa mujer, me las vas a pagar
The song "I Never Thought You'd Leave Me" by Ralfi Pagan is a heart-wrenching depiction of a man who has been abandoned by his lover. The singer's pain from the breakup is palpable as he describes feelings of sorrow and torture that he experiences as a result of the separation. The lyrics suggest that the singer was blindsided by the sudden departure of his significant other, as he "never thought" they would leave him.
The first verse begins with the singer expressing his disbelief and devastation at the breakup. He states that his former partner has "killed [his] every dream" and left him with "torture and sadness." The chorus repeats this sentiment, with the singer declaring that he "never thought" his lover would leave him. The second verse is particularly poignant, as the singer addresses his ex directly, stating that "someday you'll be blue" and "remember that day in September" when she left him.
The final verse is sung in Spanish, and adds to the emotional weight of the song. The lyrics roughly translate to the following: "Because you left me/When I least expected it/I gave you everything/I never forgive you for leaving me/You left me with pain and sadness/One day you will pay/For the cursed day you left me/Fake woman, you will pay for it."
Overall, "I Never Thought You'd Leave Me" by Ralfi Pagan is a devastatingly beautiful song about heartbreak and loss. The lyrics are simple yet effective, conveying the pain of a breakup in a way that is relatable to anyone who has experienced the same.
Line by Line Meaning
I never thought you'd leave me
I never expected you to leave me
You've killed my every dream
You have shattered all of my hopes and aspirations
Torture and sadness
The pain and sorrow I feel
These things you left me
These are the emotions you left me with
Pain when I'm lonely
The hurt I feel when I am alone
Drives me insane
It makes me crazy
You left me for another
You abandoned me for someone else
But someday you'll be blue
One day you will feel sad
Then you'll remember
You will recall
That day in September
The day you left me
Leaving behind a fool such as I
You left behind someone who was foolish enough to believe in your love
Memories of long ago
Recollections of the past
Love letters
Written expressions of affection
They provoke
They elicit a reaction
Words of love so meaningful
Sentiments of love that were dear to me
Passions full of every thrill
Emotions that were full of excitement and exhilaration
I'll always remember
I will never forget
That day in September
The day you abandoned me
(Instrumentals)
Music without lyrics
Porque me dejaste
Ralfi: Cuando menos lo esperaba
Ralfi: Yo que todo a tí te daba
Ralfi: Nunca te perdonó por dejarme
Ralfi: Dolor y tristeza me dejaste
Ralfi: Algún día la pagarás
Ralfi: El maldito día que me dejaste
Ralfi: Falsa mujer, me las vas a pagar
Why did you leave me
Ralfi: When I least expected it
Ralfi: I gave you everything
Ralfi: I will never forgive you for leaving me
Ralfi: You left me with pain and sadness
Ralfi: One day you will pay
Ralfi: The cursed day you left me
Ralfi: You false woman, you will pay for this
Writer(s): Louie Ramirez
Contributed by Penelope F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.