1. The Buckinghams is an American sunshine-pop band from Chicago formed in 1966. They went on to become one of the top-selling acts of 1967, charting their only five Top 40 hits in the U.S. that year. The band dissolved in 1970, but re-formed in 1980 and as of 2019 they continue to tour throughout the United States.
If everyone on the northwest side of Chicago who claims to have hung out with the Buckinghams during their heyday had faithfully bought all their releases, the rock group might have sold more records than the Beatles. Popular attractions while still in high school, the quintet changed its name from the Pulsations to the Buckinghams to reflect the British Invasion craze and signed with Chicago's USA Records in 1966. Backing Dennis Tufano's buoyant lead vocals with prominent harmonies and punchy soul-styled brass, the group came across the wistful "Kind of a Drag," and in short order, The Buckinghams had a million-selling pop chart-topper on their hands. They quickly graduated to recording for Columbia. As long as songwriter Jim Holvay supplied more material of the same high quality as "Kind of a Drag," the Buckinghams were sitting pretty. Holvay co-wrote "Don't You Care," "Hey Baby (They're Playing Our Song)," and the pseudo-psychedelic "Susan," and they all proved to be major hits for the band. The group's R&B roots surfaced on a vocal adaptation of Cannonball Adderley's jazz standard "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy," their second-biggest hit.
But the Buckinghams' fortunes soon changed drastically -- one of the top-selling rock groups of 1967, they managed only one hit after early 1968. Two original members, guitarist Carl Giammarese and bassist Nick Fortuna, have since revived the Buckinghams and began touring full-time again in 1982.
2. Not to be confused with the more famous Chicago hit-makers, The Buckinghams were a 1960s pop/beat band from Islington, North London, United Kingdom. They released two 45s on Pye Records: 'I'll Never Hurt You No More' b/w 'She Lied' (may 1965), quickly followed by 'To Be or Not To Be' b/w 'I Was Your First Guy'.
Don't Want To Cry
The Buckinghams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
By a girl like you.
I can't take anymore.
Tell me what can I do.
Every time I feel like trying.
Seems I always end up crying.
Tell me,
Tell me what can I do.
Don't want to cry.
You said that you love me,
And will always be by my side.
But what if I trusted you,
And found out that you lied.
It would've hurt you as much as me,
Cause I've been hurt before you see.
Tell me,
Tell me what can I do.
Every time I feel like trying.
Seems I always end up crying.
Tell me,
Tell me what can I do.
Don't want to cry.
If I chance my love,
I'll feel so broken up.
Will it seem like I will
Or will you tear it apart?
I want to love you so,
But my heart don't love no more
Tell me,
Tell me what can I do.
Don't want to cry.
Don't want to cry.
Don't want to cry.
Dont want to cry.
The Buckinghams's song Don't Want To Cry is about a man who has been hurt in a past relationship and is afraid to love again, even though he has found someone new who loves him. The lyrics "I've been loved before by a girl like you, I can't take anymore, tell me what can I do" suggest that he has been hurt in the past by a similar type of girl, making him hesitant to let his guard down again. The fear of being hurt again is so strong that he questions whether he can handle the pain, asking "tell me what can I do?".
The chorus of "Don't want to cry" is a declaration of the man's fear and vulnerability. He is afraid of getting hurt if he trusts this new person but at the same time, he wants to give love a chance. The line "If I chance my love, I'll feel so broken up" emphasizes his vulnerability and the fear of being hurt, while also highlighting the strength and courage it takes to open up and love again. He pleads with his lover to be truthful in their feelings for him, as lying and betrayal would be devastating and would cause him to feel hurt once again.
Overall, The Buckinghams's song Don't Want To Cry is a powerful representation of the fear and vulnerability that comes with loving again after being hurt in a past relationship. The lyrics and emotional delivery of the song capture the anxiety and uncertainty that can accompany starting a new relationship after experiencing pain.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been loved before
I have experienced love in the past
By a girl like you.
By someone who is similar to you.
I can't take anymore.
I am emotionally exhausted and cannot handle any more pain.
Tell me what can I do.
Asking for advice or help.
Every time I feel like trying.
Whenever I attempt to start a new relationship.
Seems I always end up crying.
It always ends up in tears because of the inevitable heartbreak.
Don't want to cry.
Expressing the desire to avoid any more emotional pain and tears.
You said that you love me,
Referring to a previous promise of love and commitment.
And will always be by my side.
Assurance of staying together through thick and thin.
But what if I trusted you,
Contemplating the consequences of trusting someone again.
And found out that you lied.
Discovering that the promise of love and commitment was false.
It would've hurt you as much as me,
The pain of deception and heartbreak would affect both parties equally.
Cause I've been hurt before you see.
Reiterating that the singer has experienced and survived heartbreak in the past, implying strength and resilience.
If I chance my love,
If I give love another try.
I'll feel so broken up.
The fear and expectation of emotional pain.
Will it seem like I will
Questioning whether there is hope for a successful relationship.
Or will you tear it apart?
Considering the possibility of the other party being the cause of future heartbreak.
I want to love you so,
Expressing the desire for love and affection.
But my heart don't love no more
Acknowledging the numbness and resistance to love due to fear of pain.
Don't want to cry.
Repeating the desire to avoid emotional pain and tears.
Don't want to cry.
Repeating the desire to avoid emotional pain and tears.
Don't want to cry.
Repeating the desire to avoid emotional pain and tears.
Dont want to cry.
Repeating the desire to avoid emotional pain and tears.
Contributed by Charlie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.