Originally hailing from Little Chalfont and Gerrards Cross in the London suburbs, the band recorded their first three singles using a primitive recording studio located in the garage of Watts' family house. Their early records "My Favourite Girl" and "The Sun Shines In Gerrards Cross" became Singles Of The Week in Melody Maker, Record Mirror and other 1980s music publications, and were played on Radio1 by DJs including John Peel, David 'Kid' Jenson, Janice Long and others.
The Hit Parade have never been commercially successful but they have earned the respect of post punk critics, fans and label owners for their determined pursuit of pop purity, and have proved to be more durable than many of their peers. The group have refused to deviate from the format of the three minute pop single and proclaimed the latin motto "Semper Eadem" (always the same) on their early records. Critics have compared them to a wide range of British pop acts including The Jam, Postcard Records, a-Ha, Wham, Everything But The Girl, Pulp and Aztec Camera.
You Didn't Love Me Then
The Hit Parade Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it's so like you go to complain
Now the things have run away from your hands
That were stretched out always wanting more
But it's over at last and I don't
Don't wanna hear about what's passed
Now it's gone
All I wanted it to be
Is like it was in all my dreams
But something just went wrong again
And though you say that you love me now, you didn't love me then
Funny how you're around now that I've
Made it quite clear that I've cooled down
And you're wrong to presume that I don't mind your calls
No, I just can't forget all the times that I phoned your place and
Yes, you were in, but you can't come out 'cause you've got something on
You come visiting to see
How's your lovesick casualty?
Well I just hit the final bag
And though you say that you love me now, you didn't love me then
I gave it all, you see
In madness blinded by your want to be us more it wouldn't land
So goodnight, and goodbye, thanks a lot
For all the heartache and wasted time that I spent
With you, girl, oh yes that bitterness
'Cause you never let on, you would smile
You're the first warm voice to come on
Give me long
Just like you did to all the rest you had before
And I'll forgive but can't forget
All the things you never meant
You used to tell me that we were friends
And though you say that you love me now, you didn't love me then
"You Didn't Love Me Then" by The Hit Parade is a song about unrequited love and the frustration and resentment that comes with it. The singer addresses a former lover who didn't return their affection when they wanted it most, only to show interest after the relationship has ended. The lyrics suggest that the former lover is trying to rekindle their relationship but the singer has moved on and is letting go of the past. The chorus, "And though you say that you love me now, you didn't love me then," is a clear statement of the singer's feelings towards their former lover.
The first verse of the song highlights the former lover's inconsistency in loving the singer. The singer accuses them of always wanting more and stretching out their hands in demand but not reciprocating feelings when they were actually needed. This inconsistency caused the relationship to end, and the singer is now frustrated with the former lover's sudden interest in rekindling what is no longer there. The second verse suggests that while the singer has moved on from the relationship, the former lover is still trying to hold on. They presume that the singer is still lovesick but the singer asserts that they have moved on and gotten over the heartache caused by the former lover.
Overall, "You Didn't Love Me Then" is a song about letting go of the past and moving on from a relationship that caused pain and heartache. The singer suggests that time has healed them and they have become more aware of their worth, and no longer accepting the past love that was seldom given. The lyrics express a sense of bitterness towards their former lover for not being there when they needed them and for trying to come back when it was already too late.
Line by Line Meaning
Though you say that you love me now, you didn't love me then
You claim to love me presently, but your affections were not for me in the past.
And it's so like you go to complain
It's typical of you to voice complaints now that things haven't gone your way.
Now the things have run away from your hands
The situation has gotten out of your control, and you can no longer manage it the way you want.
That were stretched out always wanting more
You consistently sought more from our relationship, with your hand always outstretched.
But it's over at last and I don't
Our connection has come to an end and I no longer
Don't wanna hear about what's passed
I have no interest in discussing the past events any longer.
Now it's gone
The relationship is over and no longer exists.
So have I, it's time to watch these bridges burn
I am done with the past and ready to move on, even if it means burning bridges.
All I wanted it to be
My desire was for the relationship to meet my expectations.
Is like it was in all my dreams
I longed for the relationship to match the idealized version that existed in my mind.
But something just went wrong again
Unfortunately, something caused the relationship to fall short of my expectations.
Funny how you're around now that I've
It's interesting how you're present now that I've
Made it quite clear that I've cooled down
Made it apparent that I am no longer interested in continuing the relationship.
And you're wrong to presume that I don't mind your calls
Your assumption that I do not mind your calls is incorrect.
No, I just can't forget all the times that I phoned your place and
Rather, it is that I cannot forget the many times I called and
Yes, you were in, but you can't come out 'cause you've got something on
You could not come to the phone due to some personal issue.
You come visiting to see
You visit to check up on me.
How's your lovesick casualty?
Asks about my emotional state as a result of the breakup.
Well I just hit the final bag
I have finally ended the relationship for good.
I gave it all, you see
I put my all into the relationship.
In madness blinded by your want to be us more it wouldn't land
Your obsession with wanting more out of the relationship made it impossible for it to succeed.
So goodnight, and goodbye, thanks a lot
Farewell and thank you for the heartache and wasted time we shared.
For all the heartache and wasted time that I spent
Reflecting on the sadness and wasted time I experienced in the relationship.
With you, girl, oh yes that bitterness
I cannot deny my bitterness towards you.
'Cause you never let on, you would smile
You never indicated that you were not interested in the relationship, even when you were not.
You're the first warm voice to come on
You were the first person to show me affection and warmth.
Give me long
But eventually, you wore out your welcome and the relationship ended.
Just like you did to all the rest you had before
Just like you did to your previous partners, the same thing happened to us.
And I'll forgive but can't forget
I am willing to forgive, but the memory of the relationship will persist.
All the things you never meant
I have come to realize that you did not mean everything you said in the relationship.
You used to tell me that we were friends
You told me that we were friends, but our relationship was actually much more than that.
Writer(s): Julian Henry
Contributed by Sophia R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@carolinea6769
Lyrics:
Though you say that you love me now,
You didn't love me then
And it's so
Like you, girl
To complain
Now that things have run away
From your hands
That were stretched out, always wanting more
But it's over
At last
And I don't,
Don't want to hear about what's passed
Now it's gone
So have I
It's time to watch as bridges burn
All I wanted it to be
Is like it was in all my dreams
But something just went wrong again
Though you say that you love me now,
You didn't love me then
Funny how
You're around
Now that I've
Made it quite clear that I've cooled down
And you're wrong
To presume that I don't mind your calls
Oh, I just
Can't forget
All the times that I phoned your place
And yes,
You were in
But you can't come out 'cause you've got something planned
You come visiting to see
How's your lovesick casuality
Well, I just hit the final bend
Though you say that you love me now,
You didn't love me then
I gave it all, you see, in madness
Blinded by your words to me
I swore it wouldn't end
So goodnight
And goodbye
Thanks a lot
For all the heartache and wasted time
That I spent
With you, girl, oh yes there's bitterness
'Cause you never
Let on
You would smile
You're the first warm voice
So come on
Give me more
Just like you did to all the rest you had before
And I'll forgive but can't forget
All the things you never meant
You used to tell me that we were friends
Though you say that you love me now,
You didn't love me then
@unpluggedlamp
Though you say that you love me now
You didn’t love me then
And if so
Like you go
To complain
Now that things have run away
From your hands
That were stretched out always wanting more
But it’s over at last
And I don’t
Don’t wanna hear about what’s passed
Cause it’s gone
So have I
It’s time to watch those bridges burn
All I wanted it to be
was like it was in all my dreams
But something just went wrong again
And though you say that you love me now
You didn’t love me then
Funny how
you’re around
now that I’ve
made it quite clear that I’ve cooled down
And you’re wrong
to presume that I don’t mind your calls
No I just
can’t forget
all the times
that I phoned your place and yet
You were in
but you can’t come out cause you’ve got something planned
You come visiting to see
How’s your lovesick casualty
Well I just hit the final bend
And though you say that you love me now
You didn’t love me then
I gave it all you see
In madness blinded by your words to me
I swore it wouldn’t last
So goodnight
and goodbye
Thanks a lot
for all the heartache and wasted time
that I spent with you girl
Oh yes there’s bitterness
Cause you never
Let on
With your smile
You’re the first one boy
So come on
Give me more
Just like you did to all the rest you’ve had before
And I’ll forgive but can’t forget
All the things you never meant
You used to tell me that we were friends
And though you say that you love me now
You didn’t love me then
@blissed96
So good
@kelpo3367
One of my favorite songs, it's a shame it's not very popular
@noelhutz
Such a perfectly written song! The whole album is beautiful
@Nobody-qs3fu
man the spotify algorithm knows me so well, this song is fucking sick
@andrewlepore9509
Why does it seem like so few people know about the hit parade despite how good he is
@neisya5809
this is so underrated omg
@takubo8198
雪が解けて僕たちは春を知る~
@charlie891
it's like the smiths and the beatles had a lovechild
@vcxz4009
The vocal melody is very similar to "till there was you"
@verycoolman397
bruh just found out about this band, fucking love this