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.
Read About Love
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Daddy, can you tell me what a lover really means?"
His eyes went glassy, not a word was said
He poured another beer and his face turned red
Asked my mother, she acted the same
She never looked up, she seemed so ashamed
Asked my teacher, he reached for the cane
(Read about love)
I read it in a magazine
(Read about love)
Cosmo and Seventeen
(Read about love)
In the back of Hustler, Hustler, Hustler
So I know what makes girls sigh
And I know why girls cry
So don't tell me I don't understand
What makes a woman and what makes a man
I've never been to heaven
But at least I've read about love
My big brother told me when I was fourteen
It's time I showed you what a lover really means
Girls like kissing and romance too
But a boy's got to know what a man's got to do
He gave me a book, the cover was plain
Written by a doctor with a German name
It had glossy pictures, serious stuff
I read it seven times, then I knew it well enough
(Read about love)
And now I've got you
(Read about love)
Where I want you
(Read about love)
I got you on the test bed, test bed, test bed
So why don't you moan and sigh?
And why do you sit there and cry?
I do everything I'm supposed to do
If something's wrong, then it must be you
I know the ways of a woman
I've read about love
Well, well, well
When I touch you there it's supposed to feel nice
That's what it said in reader's advice
I've never been to heaven
But at least I've read about love
In "Read About Love," Richard Thompson sings about the many sources he's turned to in his quest to understand romantic relationships. He starts by recounting his unsuccessful efforts to learn about love from his parents and teacher. Their evasiveness is conveyed in language rich with imagery - Thompson's father turns red as he pours himself another beer, while his mother is so ashamed she can't even look at him. The teacher is more direct, advising him not to bring the subject up again. All of this leaves him turning to a more unconventional source of instruction: magazines like Cosmo and Seventeen, and even the back of Hustler. While these publications may have provided some information, they ultimately left him feeling like he was missing something essential.
The second half of the song focuses on Thompson's brother's attempt to provide him with a more complete picture of sex and relationships by giving him a book on the subject. It's a medical text that presents glossy pictures and "serious stuff." Thompson devours the book, reading it repeatedly until he feels like he has a better understanding of what he's supposed to be doing. But when he puts all this "knowledge" into practice on his partner, he finds that things still don't feel right. He's doing everything he's supposed to, so he concludes (rather stubbornly) that the problem must lie with her.
The song is ultimately a commentary on the ways that the media can inadequately prepare us for the complexities of real life. We can read about love, sex, and relationships as much as we want, but until we actually experience these things for ourselves, we're likely to feel a bit lost. Thompson's lyrics are witty and full of wry observations, yet they're also a poignant reminder of how difficult it can be to find reliable guidance in matters of the heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Asked my daddy when I was thirteen
I inquired my father at the age of thirteen
"Daddy, can you tell me what a lover really means?"
I asked him the meaning of being a lover
His eyes went glassy, not a word was said
He did not answer me and appeared confused
He poured another beer and his face turned red
To avoid answering, he simply drank another beer and appeared embarrassed
Asked my mother, she acted the same
I posed the same question to my mother
She never looked up, she seemed so ashamed
She refused to meet my gaze and looked embarrassed
Asked my teacher, he reached for the cane
I asked my teacher, he tried to punish me instead
He said "Don't mention that subject again"
He warned me and prohibited me from talking about the matter
(Read about love)
I read about love
I read it in a magazine
I read about it in a magazine
(Read about love)
I read about love
Cosmo and Seventeen
In magazines like Cosmo and Seventeen
(Read about love)
I read about love
In the back of Hustler, Hustler, Hustler
Even in the back pages of Hustler
So I know what makes girls sigh
Thus, I believe I know what makes girls sigh
And I know why girls cry
And, I know why girls cry
So don't tell me I don't understand
I consider myself to understand
What makes a woman and what makes a man
What differentiates a woman and a man
I've never been to heaven
I have not experienced heaven
But at least I've read about love
But, I have read about love
My big brother told me when I was fourteen
My older brother gave me an answer when I was fourteen
It's time I showed you what a lover really means
He thought it was time to explain what lovers truly are
Girls like kissing and romance too
He stated girls enjoy kissing and romance also
But a boy's got to know what a man's got to do
However, a boy should know what is expected of him as a man
He gave me a book, the cover was plain
He handed me a book that had an unadorned cover
Written by a doctor with a German name
It was written by a doctor having a German name
It had glossy pictures, serious stuff
It included high-quality pictures and essential facts
I read it seven times, then I knew it well enough
I repeated the reading process seven times until I knew everything thoroughly
(Read about love)
I read about love
And now I've got you
Now, I have you
(Read about love)
I read about love
Where I want you
I have you where I want you
(Read about love)
I read about love
I got you on the test bed, test bed, test bed
I put you to test under my trial bed thrice
So why don't you moan and sigh?
For what reasons don't you moan and sigh?
And why do you sit there and cry?
What is the rationale behind sitting and crying?
I do everything I'm supposed to do
I do everything expected of me
If something's wrong, then it must be you
If things are not right, then it must be your fault
I know the ways of a woman
I know the ways women think and behave
I've read about love
And, I have read about love
Well, well, well
An expression of astonishment or doubt
When I touch you there it's supposed to feel nice
When I touch you there, it should feel good
That's what it said in reader's advice
That's what I read in a reader's advice
I've never been to heaven
I have not been to heaven
But at least I've read about love
However, I have read about love
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RICHARD JOHN THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ken Soehn
on Love in a Faithless Country
At a show at the Culch (The Vancouver East Cultural Centre) decades ago, Thompson said the song was inspired by two British serial killers, who seemed to be inspiring each other through the newspapers. Now you know why it sounds so spooky.
Mark Apelman
on Devonside
Not sure what this song means, but I love the feeling of it.