Originally from Nottingham in the UK, this band of virtuoso musicians under the leadership of Alvin Lee conquered the UK scene and then spread their wings to the USA. Their blend of jazz, blues and rock was initially slightly awkward but their first album provided an opening for them. In October, their 1967 self-titled debut album was released.
In 1968, after touring Scandinavia and the United States, Ten Years After released their second album, live Undead, which brought their first classic, "I'm Going Home." This was followed in February 1969 by studio issue, Stonedhenge, a British hit, that included another classic, "Hear Me Calling" (it was released also as a single, and covered in 1972 by British glam rock rising stars, Slade). In July 1969 they appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival, in the first event to which rock bands were invited. In August, the band performed a breakthrough American appearance at Woodstock; their furious-to-soft-to-furious rendition of "I'm Going Home" featuring Alvin Lee as the lead singer was featured in both the subsequent film and soundtrack album and catapulted them to star status.
During 1970, Ten Years After released "Love Like a Man", their only hit in the UK Singles Chart. This song was on their fifth album, Cricklewood Green. The name of the album comes from a friend of the group who lived in Cricklewood, London. He grew a sort of plant which was said to have hallucinogenic effects. The band did not know the name of this plant, so they called their album Cricklewood Green. It was the first record to be issued with a different playing speed on each side – one a three-minute edit at 45rpm, the other, a nine-minute live version at 33rpm. In August, Ten Years After played the Isle of Wight Festival 1970 to an audience of 600,000.
In 1971, the band released the album A Space in Time which marked a move toward more commercial material. It featured their biggest hit, "I'd Love To Change The World". But a few albums later, the band broke up after the 1974 album Positive Vibrations. They re-united in 1983 to play the Reading Festival and this performance was later released on CD as The Friday Rock Show Sessions - Live At Reading '83. In 1988, they re-united for a few concerts and recorded the album About Time (1989). Finally, in 1994, they participated in the Eurowoodstock festival in Budapest.
Alvin Lee has since then mostly played and recorded under his own name. In 2003, the other band members replaced him with Joe Gooch and recorded the album Now. Material from the following tour was used for the 2005 double album Roadworks.
Lee died on March 6, 2013. According to his website, he died from "unforeseen complications following a routine surgical procedure."[2][3][4] He was 68. His former bandmates lamented his death, Leo Lyons called him "the closest thing I had to a brother", while Ric Lee (no relation) said "I don't think its even sunk in yet as to the reality of his passing." Billboard Magazine wrote of his passing, highlighting such landmark performances as "I'm Going Home" from the Woodstock festival and his 1974 hit single "I'd Love to Change the World."[5]
Band members:
Alvin Lee – guitar, vocals
Leo Lyons – bass
Chick Churchill – keyboards
Ric Lee – drums
Joe Gooch – guitar, vocals (joined in 2003)
You can also see Alvin Lee and / or Alvin Lee & Ten Years After and / or Alvin Lee & Co and / or The Alvin Lee Band on Last.fm.
I Don't Know That You Don't Know My Name
Ten Years After Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Love is just a sound, I want you to hear it from here
I don't know that you don't know my name
But it's all around us just the same
I don't know that you don't know my name
You don't know that I don't know your name
Love is all around, I want you to live it from here
I don't know that you don't know my name
But it's all around us just the same
I don't know that you don't know my name
You don't know that I don't know your name
Peace is all around, I want you to need it from here
Peace is just a sound, I want you to hear it from fear
I don't know that you don't know my name
But it's all around us just the same
I don't know that you don't know my name
You don't know that I don't know your name
The lyrics of Ten Years After's song "I Don't Know That You Don't Know My Name" express a desire for love and peace to be recognized and felt by everyone, even if their names are not known to one another. The repetition of "Love is all around, I want you to..." and "Peace is all around, I want you to..." emphasize the universality of these sentiments and the desire for them to be experienced collectively.
The line "Love is just a sound, I want you to hear it from here" suggests that love can be heard and felt even from a distance, while the refrain of "I don't know that you don't know my name" highlights the theme of connection despite anonymity. The use of "you" and "I" throughout the lyrics creates a sense of personal investment and mutual recognition, despite the lack of formal introduction.
Overall, the song seeks to bridge the gap between strangers and promote empathy and understanding, with the idea that love and peace can be shared even without the exchange of names.
Line by Line Meaning
Love is all around, I want you to see it from here
I want you to open your eyes and see that love is everywhere around us
Love is just a sound, I want you to hear it from here
I want you to listen carefully and hear the sweet melodies of love
I don't know that you don't know my name
I may not be aware that you have no knowledge of my identity
But it's all around us just the same
Despite our lack of familiarity with each other, love still surrounds us both
You don't know that I don't know your name
You might not realize that I am also oblivious to your name
Peace is all around, I want you to need it from here
I want you to feel the presence of peace that is all around us
Peace is just a sound, I want you to hear it from fear
Even though fear may be present, I want you to listen for the soothing sound of peace
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ALVIN LEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
joseph lemko
I love Alvin's accoustic songs. They seem to be forgotten. The man was more than just a great guitarist. His music will always be part of me.
Angelo Mercure
Great song! Ten Years After were a wonderful band. RIP, Alvin Lee.
LoriAnn Grilley-Jamroz
i am 60 yrs old today, and all i can say IS THIS BAND IS ONE OF THE BEST! HEART GRIPPING, BANDS OF THEIR DAY~(WHY CAN'T THEY MAKE MUSIC LIKE THESE GUYS ANYMORE~(PPL HAD HEART!!BACK IN THE DAY!!!)
jeffthepoet7
great song from a great album from a great band.
LOST IN MUSIC
Amazing song from an awesome band !
John Ortiz
R.I.P. Alvin Lee! This song is very dear to my heart and mind! Thank you for the music!
littlewing19380
~*~Love It! My First Ten Years After Album. Many Thanks And Blessings Always~*~
thomas chippie
Mine too.
Spankystube1
Great tune by GREAT band!!! Thanks for sharing!
Smudgefizz
Such a good melodic song... Combines elements of the Beatles "Norwegian Wood" & the Trogg's "Love is All Around``