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'.
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The Buckinghams Lyrics
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Why don't you tell me
Instead of runnin' around
With all the other guys in town
Can't you see
You're hurtin' me
Don't you care (don't you care), don't you care
Why don't you tell me
Instead of tellin' lies
And makin' me cry
Can't you see
You're hurtin' me
Don't you care (don't you care), don't you care
Whatever happened to all the good times we used to have
The times we cried and laughed
I want to know, I want to know
Will you ever love me again
Or will I find out that this is the end
Don't you care
Hmm-ma-ma-ma-ma baby
You said that you'd believe me
Then why'd you ever leave me
I'm standin' here all alone
Without a girl of my own
Can't you see
You're hurtin' me
Don't you care (don't you care) don't you care
Don't you care (don't you care) don't you care
Don't you care (don't you care) don't you care
Don't you care (don't you care) don't you care
The lyrics of Don't You Care by The Buckinghams explore the feeling of betrayal and hurt that comes with unrequited love. The singer asks the object of their affection to be honest with them about their feelings and stop playing games. The lyrics suggest that the singer is aware that their love interest is seeing other people and lying about it, which deepens their hurt. The chorus is an appeal to the love interest's conscience, asking if they even care about the hurt they are causing.
The second verse is a continuation of these feelings. The singer pleads for honesty instead of lies and asks why the love interest would ever leave them. The lyrics again suggest that the singer is aware that the love interest is seeing other people and making them cry. The bridge of the song is a heartfelt plea to return to the good times they shared and find out whether there is a possibility of love in the future. The lyrics suggest that the singer is willing to forgive the hurt they have experienced if it means continuing their relationship.
Overall, Don't You Care is a classic example of a love song dealing with heartbreak and unrequited love. It explores the feeling of betrayal and hurt that comes with discovering that the one you love may not feel the same way about you. The lyrics are emotive and relatable, which may explain the enduring popularity of this song.
Line by Line Meaning
If you don't love me
If you don't have feelings for me
Why don't you tell me
Why don't you express your true feelings to me
Instead of runnin' around
Instead of flirting with or giving attention to other guys
With all the other guys in town
With all the other men in our neighborhood
Can't you see
Can't you understand
You're hurtin' me
You're causing me emotional pain
Don't you care (don't you care), don't you care
Don't you have any concern for my feelings and well-being?
If you don't want me
If you don't desire me
Why don't you tell me
Why don't you communicate your lack of interest to me
Instead of tellin' lies
Instead of being dishonest with me
And makin' me cry
And causing me to be upset and emotional
Whatever happened to all the good times we used to have
What caused us to lose the positive memories we shared
The times we cried and laughed
The times we had emotional moments, both happy and sad
I want to know, I want to know
I am curious and eager to discover
Will you ever love me again
Do you have the possibility of loving me in the future
Or will I find out that this is the end
Will I come to realize that our relationship is over
Don't you care
Don't you have any concern or consideration for me
Hmm-ma-ma-ma-ma baby
An expression of frustration and disappointment towards the partner
You said that you'd believe me
You promised to trust me
Then why'd you ever leave me
If you had trust in me, why did you break up with me
I'm standin' here all alone
I am currently without a romantic partner
Without a girl of my own
Without someone to call my girlfriend
Don't you care (don't you care) don't you care
Do you not have any empathy or concern for my situation
Don't you care (don't you care) don't you care
Is it not important for you to know about my emotional state
Don't you care (don't you care) don't you care
Is there no value in working to improve our relationship and communication
Don't you care (don't you care) don't you care
A repetition of the chorus to emphasize the frustration and confusion towards the partner's actions
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: James William Guercio, Gary Beisbier, James Holvay
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Daniel Brotherton
This song is beautiful, I've just discovered it and I love it! ✌
Dwight Haas
Good stuff. Why they are linked with bubble gum music makes no sense.
Char69Theta
I’m here because of broccolifart #SPS 🍍