Forster met McLennan during drama classes at the University of Queensland and, inspired by a mutual love of Bob Dylan and the New York music scene, they formed the Go-Betweens in 1977. In addition to his work with the Go-Betweens, Forster has released several solo albums, including: Danger in the Past, recorded in Berlin in 1990; Calling from a Country Phone, recorded at Sunshine Studios, Brisbane, in 1993 with members of local pop group Custard; I Had a New York Girlfriend, a collection of cover versions recorded in Melbourne in 1994; Warm Nights, recorded in London in 1996 and produced by Edwyn Collins; and The Evangelist, recorded (all but one track - "A Place to Hide Away") at Good Luck Studios, London, September - November 2007 with long time collaborators Glenn Thompson and Adele Pickvance.
Critically-acclaimed internationally as a songwriter, Forster reveals a strong literary influence in his work. In 2005, Forster began writing for the Australian magazine, The Monthly. Prior to this he had virtually no print experience, with only a column on hair care for a fanzine in the 1980s to his credit. On 25 October 2006, it was announced that Forster was the winner of the Pascall Prize for Critical Writing for his columns.
On 6 May 2006, Grant McLennan died in his sleep at his home in Brisbane. Forster picked three songs co-written by Grant McLennan, including "Demon Days", which is the last song the pair wrote together, and recorded them alongside some of his own material to produce his first album in 11 years. The Evangelist was released on April 26, 2008 through Yep Roc Records.[5]
Forster announced his return to live performance with four nights at the Queensland Music Festival in July 2007.
Tell Me That It Isn't True
Robert Forster Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They say that you're planning to put me down
All I'd like you to do
Is tell me that it isn't true
They say that you've been seen with some other man
That he's tall, dark, and handsome, and you're holding his hand
Darling, I'm a-countin' on you
Tell me that it isn't true
To know that some other man
Is holding you tight
It hurts me all over
It doesn't seem right
All of these awful things that I have heard
I don't want to believe them, all I want is your word
So darlin' you better come through
Tell me that it isn't true
All of these awful things that I have heard
I don't want to believe them, all I want is your word
So darlin' I'm countin' on you
Tell me that it isn't true
Robert Forster's heartbreaking song, "Tell Me That It Isn't True," tells the tale of a man addressing his significant other's rumored infidelity. The lyrics convey his desperation to believe that the rumors aren't true, despite their pervasiveness in town. He pleads with his lover to confirm his suspicions, hoping that she will deny them, but she hasn't yet.
The lyrics are dense with emotion, painting a picture of a man who is on the verge of being emotionally wrecked. He is consumed by doubt, uncertainty, and fear that his lover's actions will alienate him. The lines, "To know that some other man/Is holding you tight/It hurts me all over/It doesn't seem right," conveys the intensity of these feelings, hinting at the deep pain and sadness he is grappling with.
Line by Line Meaning
I have heard rumors all over town
I have heard people talking behind my back throughout the town
They say that you're planning to put me down
They say that you are planning to break up with me
All I'd like you to do
All I want you to do
Is tell me that it isn't true
Is to deny all the rumors and prove them wrong
They say that you've been seen with some other man
Rumors have it that you have been spotted with another man
That he's tall, dark, and handsome, and you're holding his hand
That he is an attractive man and you are holding hands with him
Darling, I'm a-countin' on you
Honey, I am counting on your loyalty and honesty
To know that some other man
To find out that there is another man
Is holding you tight
Is embracing you and holding you close
It hurts me all over
It causes me pain and hurt emotionally
It doesn't seem right
It feels unnatural and distressing
All of these awful things that I have heard
All of these distressing rumors that I have been hearing
I don't want to believe them, all I want is your word
I do not want to believe these rumors, I want to believe what you tell me
So darlin' you better come through
So, my love, I hope you will support me in this matter
Tell me that it isn't true
Assure me that these rumors are entirely untrue
Contributed by Makayla R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
RareCoolStuff_Official
this is such a great album..and track! But, i told Robert that i thought this was one of the worst album covers EVER and i would do his NEXT one for FREE to make up for it! haha!!
Deus Vult
Great track . Any chance you could upload this great album ? Thanks.
Music of Bob Dylan
Hello, finally you can get inside Bob Dylan's Music Box and play this track and many others at http://thebobdylanproject.com/Song/id/625/Tell-Me-That-It-Isn't-True yes...