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'.
I'll Go Crazy
The Buckinghams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well if you leave me baby, oh I'll go crazy
'Cause I love you, I love you, oh I love you so much
& if you quit me, I'll go crazy
& if you forget me baby, oh I'll go crazy
'Cause I love you, I love you, oh I love you so much
You've got to live for yourself, for yourself & nobody else
If you leave me, I'll go crazy
& if you forget me baby, oh I'll go crazy
'Cause I love you, I love you, oh babe I love you so much
(chorus)
You've got to live for yourself, for yourself & nobody else
You've got to live for yourself, for yourself & nobody else
If you leave me, I'll go crazy
& if you forget me baby, I'll go crazy
'Cause I love you, I love you, oh babe I love you so much
You've got to live for yourself, for yourself & nobody else
You've got to live for yourself, for yourself & nobody else
The Buckinghams' song, "I'll Go Crazy," is a love song that tells the story of a person who is deeply in love with their partner, to the extent that they feel like they'll lose their mind if they were to leave. From the beginning of the song, the lyrics convey that if the partner departs, they will go crazy because they are in love with them so deeply. The repetition of the phrase "I love you, I love you, oh I love you so much" emphasizes the intensity of the feelings the person has for their partner.
The chorus of the song reinforces the message that people need to live for themselves and, thus, should not depend on anyone or anything else for their happiness. The emphasis on living for oneself rather than others highlights the importance of self-worth and personal fulfillment. The song conveys how love can be both a source of pleasure and happiness, as well as pain and suffering.
Line by Line Meaning
Well if you leave me, I'll go crazy
My mental health is entirely dependent on you staying in my life.
Well if you leave me baby, oh I'll go crazy
I cannot handle the thought of you leaving me and it would push me over the edge.
'Cause I love you, I love you, oh I love you so much
The reason for my overwhelming reaction to your potential departure is the depth of the love I have for you.
& if you quit me, I'll go crazy
If you abandon me, I will lose my grip on reality and become unstable.
& if you forget me baby, oh I'll go crazy
Even the thought of being forgotten by you is enough to make me lose my mind.
You've got to live for yourself, for yourself & nobody else
Remember to focus on your own well-being and personal growth above all else.
If you leave me, I'll go crazy
My emotional attachment to you is so strong that I cannot imagine losing you.
& if you forget me baby, oh I'll go crazy
The idea of not being in your thoughts is unbearable and causes me significant distress.
'Cause I love you, I love you, oh babe I love you so much
My love for you is all-consuming and the reason why the thought of losing you is so devastating.
You've got to live for yourself, for yourself & nobody else
It is crucial to prioritize your own happiness and well-being rather than solely living for the approval or affection of others.
If you leave me, I'll go crazy
My emotional stability is entirely dependent on you staying in my life.
& if you forget me baby, I'll go crazy
Even the possibility of being forgotten by you is enough to trigger severe emotional distress in me.
'Cause I love you, I love you, oh babe I love you so much
My love for you is incredibly strong and is what is driving my intense emotional reaction to the thought of losing you.
You've got to live for yourself, for yourself & nobody else
Taking care of yourself and your own well-being should always come first, even when navigating love and relationships.
Contributed by Claire A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.