Rockpile was a short-lived yet influential British rock group that was foun… Read Full Bio ↴Rockpile was a short-lived yet influential British rock group that was founded in 1976. It consisted of Dave Edmunds (vocals, guitar), Nick Lowe (vocals, bass guitar), Billy Bremner (vocals, guitar), and Terry Williams (drums). The group being noted for strong rockabilly and power pop influences, Rockpile tunes are often labeled as just by either Nick Lowe or Dave Edmunds in various album re-releases given how they were composed.

Formed around the partnership of Lowe with Edmunds, the two musicians inspired by melodic 50s and 60s rock n roll, the band took its name from the title of a 1972 album by Edmunds. Rockpile was primarily known as a backup group to those two artists' solo projects. However, the band did release one official album, titled 'Seconds of Pleasure' in 1980, which spawned the minor hit "Teacher Teacher" while also receiving strong critical praise. In August of that year, the guys played the noted Heatwave festival near Toronto, and the group additionally made their only American television appearance on the ABC variety program 'Fridays'. The band broke up in 1981.

When I Write the Book
Rockpile Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Now I can remember like it was only yesterday
Love was young and foolish like a little child at play
But oh how lovers change, I never dreamed how easily
'cause now I'm just a shadow of the boy I used to be

And when I write the book about my love
It will be about a man who's torn in half
About his hopes and ambitions wasted through the years

The pain will be written on every page in tears
When I write the book about my love

I was a fool to myself when I kept on runnin' around
And I fared little better when I tried settlin' down
Maybe some magic moment, I've never known one, not for long
For all too soon the magic is in a moment gone

And when I write the book about my love
It'll be a heartbreaking story about love and luck
When I get down on the pages all I felt
It will make the hardest-hearted of critics' hearts melt
When I write the book about my love

When I was young love was fun and I was so happy, I looked so good and I dressed so snappy
Two-tone shoes on my feet big old smile on my face, as I moved and grooved all over the place
Now I'm down in the heels my complexion is bad
'cause my love life is sadder than sad

And when I write the book about my love
It'll be a pop publication, tougher than tough
When I get down on the pages all I missed

It will shoot to the top of the best-sellers list
When I write the book about my love

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Rockpile's song "When I Write the Book" describe the evolution of love over time, and the regrets that come with it. The opening lines remember a time when love was youthful and carefree, but the lyrics quickly turn to the pain of growing older and losing that love. The singer describes himself as a "shadow of the boy" he used to be, and laments that he has wasted his hopes and ambitions. The chorus repeats the idea that when the singer writes the book about his love, it will be a heartbreaking story filled with pain and tears.

The second verse adds to the theme of regret, describing the singer as having been foolish and never finding the magic moment of true love. The lyrics suggest that love is fleeting and disappears too quickly, leaving behind only pain and heartbreak. The final verse contrasts the singer's past happiness with his current state of depression and loneliness. However, despite the sad tone of the song, the chorus suggests that the "pop publication" about the singer's love will be successful and popular, perhaps indicating that others can relate to his experience.

Overall, the lyrics to "When I Write the Book" convey a sense of disappointment and loss, but also resilience and the hope that telling one's story can be a cathartic experience.

Line by Line Meaning

Now I can remember like it was only yesterday
The singer reminisces about a time when love was young and foolish.

Love was young and foolish like a little child at play
The singer likens the naivety of young love to that of a child playing.

But oh how lovers change, I never dreamed how easily
The singer reflects on how quickly and unexpectedly people and love can change.

‘cause now I'm just a shadow of the boy I used to be
The singer laments how love has changed him into a mere shadow of his former self.

And when I write the book about my love
The singer plans to put his love story in writing.

It will be about a man who's torn in half
The story will be about a man whose love has left him emotionally torn.

About his hopes and ambitions wasted through the years
The story will touch on how the man’s hopes and dreams have been unfulfilled.

The pain will be written on every page in tears
The story will be wrought with the artist's anguish, expressed in tears.

I was a fool to myself when I kept on runnin' around
The singer admits to foolishly running around without commitment.

And I fared little better when I tried settlin' down
The singer didn’t fare well when he tried to settle down.

Maybe some magic moment, I've never known one, not for long
The singer yearns for a moment of magic in his love, but hasn't yet experienced it.

For all too soon the magic is in a moment gone
Any magic or spark he experiences with love is fleeting and temporary.

It’ll be a heartbreaking story about love and luck
The love story within the book will depict heartbreak and misfortune.

When I get down on the pages all I felt
The singer will pour out all of his emotions and feelings into the writing.

It will make the hardest-hearted of critics' hearts melt
The story will be so poignant that even critics with tough exteriors will feel moved by it.

When I was young love was fun and I was so happy, I looked so good and I dressed so snappy
The singer recalls how happy he was when he was young and in love, dressing and appearing at his best.

Two-tone shoes on my feet big old smile on my face, as I moved and grooved all over the place
The singer remembers dancing and moving with joyous abandon in his two-tone shoes.

Now I'm down in the heels my complexion is bad ‘cause my love life is sadder than sad
The singer’s love life is now so dire that it’s affecting his physical appearance.

It'll be a pop publication, tougher than tough
The singer envisions his love story being published as a tough, popular publication.

When I get down on the pages all I missed
The singer will use the writing to express all that he has missed in love.

It will shoot to the top of the best-sellers list
The singer believes the book will be so successful that it will top the charts.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAVE EDMUNDS, NICHOLAS ORAIN LOWE, TERRY WILLIAMS, WILLIAM MURRAY BREMNER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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