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'.
Susan
The Buckinghams Lyrics
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Looks like I'm losin'
I'm losin' my mind (losin' my mind)
I'm wastin' my time
Susan (Susan)
Do you have to be confusin'?
I ask myself why (sayin')
No other girl could ever take the place of you
Though you're hurtin' me
You know I'll always be thinkin' of you
Girl, I love you
No other girl could ever take the place of you
Though you're hurtin' me
You know I'll always be thinkin' of you
Girl, I love you
Love, love
Love, love
Love, love, love, love
I love you, yes I do, I do
I love you, yes I do, I do
(Susan) I love you, yes I do, I do
(I love you) I love you, yes I do, I do
(Susan) I love you, yes I do, I do
(I love you) I love you, yes I do, I do
(Susan) I love you, yes I do, I do
(I love you) I love you, yes I do, I do
(Susan) I love you, yes I do, I do
(I love you) I love you, yes I do, I do
(Susan) I love you, yes I do, I do
(I love you) I love you, yes I do, I do
(Susan) I love you, yes I do, I do
(I love you) I love you, yes I do, I do
The Buckinghams' song "Susan" starts off by expressing the singer's feeling of confusion and anguish as he is losing his mind and wasting his time over Susan, the girl he loves. He attempts to seek clarity from Susan by asking her if she has to be confusing and saying goodbye to him. The singer then confesses that no other girl could ever take her place, despite the fact that she is hurting him. He assures her that he will always be thinking of her and that he loves her.
The song appears to be a classic love song with the singer expressing his deep and unconditional love for Susan. The singer's desperation and confusion are evident in the lyrics, making it relatable to anyone who has ever been in love.
Overall, the song's lyrics are simple yet emotional, and they beautifully capture the rollercoaster of emotions that come with being in love. It's a tribute to the power of love and the struggles and pain that often accompany it.
Line by Line Meaning
Susan
The singer addresses the person he is singing about, Susan.
Looks like I'm losin'
The singer feels like he is losing something, most likely his relationship with Susan.
I'm losin' my mind (losin' my mind)
The singer is so distraught that he feels like he is going crazy.
I'm wastin' my time
The singer feels like he is wasting his time trying to make things work with Susan.
Susan (Susan)
The singer repeats Susan's name, emphasizing his focus on her.
Do you have to be confusin'?
The singer wonders why Susan is being confusing and difficult to understand.
I ask myself why (sayin')
The singer asks himself why Susan is saying goodbye to him.
You're sayin' goodbye (goodbye, goodbye to me)
Susan is breaking up with the singer and saying goodbye.
No other girl could ever take the place of you
The singer believes that no other girl could replace or compare to Susan.
Though you're hurtin' me
Even though Susan is causing the singer pain and heartbreak, he still loves her.
You know I'll always be thinkin' of you
The singer will always have Susan on his mind and in his heart.
Girl, I love you
The singer declares his love for Susan.
Love, love
The singer emphasizes the strong love he has for Susan.
I love you, yes I do, I do
The singer reaffirms his love for Susan.
(Susan) I love you, yes I do, I do
The singer continues to repeat his love for Susan.
(I love you) I love you, yes I do, I do
The singer once again states his love for Susan.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: Gary Beisbier, James Holvay, James William Guercio
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind