Richard Thompson OBE (born 3 April 1949, Notting Hill, London) is a British… Read Full Bio ↴Richard Thompson OBE (born 3 April 1949, Notting Hill, London) is a British singer/songwriter and guitarist. Highly regarded for his guitar techniques, Thompson was awarded the Orville H. Gibson award for best acoustic guitar player in 1991. Similarly, his songwriting has earned him an Ivor Novello Award and, in 2006, a lifetime achievement award from BBC Radio. Thompson made his debut as a recording artist as a member of Fairport Convention in September 1967. He left the group in 1971 and began recording with his wife as Richard & Linda Thompson, before their marriage dissolved in 1983. Since then, Thompson has maintained a critically-acclaimed solo career.

He continues to write and record new material and performs live frequently throughout Canada, the United States, Europe and Australia.

Thompson was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to music. On 5 July 2011, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy honoris causa was conferred on Thompson by the University of Aberdeen, in a ceremony at the University's Elphinstone Hall.

Dry My Tears And Move On
Richard Thompson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If you don't want me I'll dry my tears and move on
If you don't want me I'll dry my tears and move on

You treated me just good enough until now
But if you're tired of me I'll get over you somehow
Oh, if you don't want me I'll dry my tears and move on

If you don't need me there's someone else who needs me out there

She's kind and tender and one day I'll find her I swear
So set me free while I've still got time
Don't try to hide your shame, dear, from my eyes
Oh, if you don't want me I'll dry my tears and move on

Faded love
As if you need a reason
Am I out of your dreams
Or just out of season
Oh the flame of love
Oh you wouldn't understand
You hide it in your heart
You don't hold it in your hand

If you don't want me I'll dry my tears and move on
If you don't want me I'll dry my tears and move on

My suits got creases and my shoes have got shine
Let me know soon I'll find a better use for my time
Oh if you don't want me
If you don't want me
Oh, if you don't want me I'll dry my tears and move on

I'll dry my tears and move on
I'll dry my tears and move on

Overall Meaning

In "Dry My Tears And Move On," Richard Thompson sings about a relationship that has reached its end. He acknowledges that he has been treated "just good enough" but it's clear that his partner is tired of him. However, he's not going to sit and wallow in self-pity. He sings that he will "dry my tears and move on," accepting the change and moving forward with his life. He isn't going to let the end of this relationship hold him back, though he is understandably heartbroken.

Thompson's lyrics are poignant and insightful, touching on the universal experience of heartbreak and the process of moving on. He acknowledges that there may be someone else out there for him, someone who will appreciate and value him in the way that his former partner did not. He speaks to the importance of self-respect and recognizing when it's time to let go and move on from a relationship that is no longer fulfilling. Ultimately, Thompson's message is one of hope: that even in the face of heartbreak, we have the strength and resilience to move forward and find happiness.

Line by Line Meaning

If you don't want me I'll dry my tears and move on
I will accept your decision and move on if you do not want to be with me.

You treated me just good enough until now But if you're tired of me I'll get over you somehow Oh, if you don't want me I'll dry my tears and move on
You have been treating me decently, but if you are no longer interested, I will find a way to move on.

If you don't need me there's someone else who needs me out there She's kind and tender and one day I'll find her I swear So set me free while I've still got time Don't try to hide your shame, dear, from my eyes Oh, if you don't want me I'll dry my tears and move on
If you do not require me in your life, I will find someone who does; please do not hold me back and conceal your guilt.

Faded love As if you need a reason Am I out of your dreams Or just out of season Oh the flame of love Oh you wouldn't understand You hide it in your heart You don't hold it in your hand
My love for you has faded away, and I wonder whether it is due to my inadequacies or simply bad timing. The nature of true love is not something you can understand or control.

My suits got creases and my shoes have got shine Let me know soon I'll find a better use for my time Oh if you don't want me If you don't want me Oh, if you don't want me I'll dry my tears and move on I'll dry my tears and move on I'll dry my tears and move on
I have taken care of myself in anticipation of a brighter future and will soon find a new purpose if you do not choose to stay with me.

Contributed by Sophie G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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06Crawl Back (Under My Stone)3:56

07Uninhabited Man

08Dry My Tears And Move On

Richard Thompson

09Walking The Long Miles Home

10Sights And Sounds Of London Town

11That's All, Amen, Close The Door5:56

12Hope You Like The New Me5:00

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Comments from YouTube:

Chrissy Margo

Love ❤️ it rich. I hv all your CDs from years ago.
My husband’s coworker 30 years ago gave me demo tapes
Of you and Robin Trower.
You got me hooked.
Saw you at palookaville in Santa Cruz California

Brian Drexler

Richard thompson does country lol. This is another great song by the master. Thank you mr. Thompson thanks for all of the great music. Your music continues to touch me emotionally and spiritually.

Riaakiller

8y↑2

I played this song to my ex wife just 101 days after I filed for divorce.
10 years on and off and 5 yrs married. Just to get stabbed in the back.
I found the woman of my dreams as the song says.

Chrissy Margo

Brilliant musicianship. Saw him at Palookaville 15 minutes from my home in Santa Cruz California

Tim Wright

I saw him in Birmingham England in 1999, a month or so after my dad died. I only ever listened to this album. I really should listen to more of his stuff.