Chicago's Ides of March burst onto the national scene in 1970 with the mill… Read Full Bio ↴Chicago's Ides of March burst onto the national scene in 1970 with the million-selling single "Vehicle," a tune that bore more than a passing resemblance to the then mega-selling Blood, Sweat & Tears. But the band's pedigree went back further than BS&T's, and with a much different origin. Formed in the mid-1960s in the Windy City, founding member Jim Peterik put the original Ides together as a teen band, strong on original material and British pop harmonies. Soon the band was recording for London's Parrot Records subsidiary, releasing five singles between 1966 and 1967, including the local hit "You Wouldn't Listen." By the late 1960s, however, Peterik had reconfigured the band to include a full horn section, and a new sound and style for the band was born. Ever the crafty commercial songwriter, Peterik fashioned a new single, "Vehicle," to showcase this sound, which mirrored the success of horn rock bands like Chase and Blood, Sweat & Tears. The record was a huge hit, spawning the soundalike follow-up "Superman." The other chart hit for the group (and a complete about-face from the horn-dominated sound of "Vehicle") was the wistful "L.A. Goodbye." Personnel problems and a label shift to RCA-Victor spelled the end of the band as Peterik eased into the 1980s in the role of producer/songwriter, penning several hits for the likes of .38 Special and others. The group re-formed in 1993 to record an album of new material and recuts of their hits going all the way back to "You Wouldn't Listen," and Peterik remains quite active both as a tunesmith and producer. ~ Cub Koda, All Music Guide

You Wouldn't Listen
The Ides Of March Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I told you he was no fool
(You wouldn't listen to me)
He'll break your heart
(You wouldn't listen to me)
He'll tear it apart
(You wouldn't listen to me)
So you better get smart
(You wouldn't listen to me)

(Chorus)
You wouldn't listen to me
You wouldn't hear what I got to see
You wouldn't listen to me
Now you have gotta pay
You've gotta pay

You've been untrue
(You wouldn't listen to me)
I said he's watching you
(You wouldn't listen to me)
So watch what you do
(You wouldn't listen to me)
Or you'll wreck your life too

(Repeat Chorus)

I gave you plenty of warning
You wouldn't listen to what I say
Now you are in mourning
I see that you're in a mighty bad way
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

I told you he was no fool
(You wouldn't listen to me)
He'll break your heart
(You wouldn't listen to me)
He'll tear it apart
(You wouldn't listen to me)
So you better get smart
(You wouldn't listen to me)

(Repeat Chorus)

You wouldn't to me
Now you have gotta pay

You've gotta pay
(Repeat)

Overall Meaning

The Ides of March's song "You Wouldn't Listen" is a song about the consequences of ignoring someone's advice. The person singing the song is warning someone that the person they are involved with is no good and will break their heart. Despite these warnings, the person refuses to listen, and as a result, they end up getting hurt. The song is a cautionary tale about the perils of not listening to the people who care for you.

The lyrics of the chorus, "You wouldn't listen to me, you wouldn't hear what I got to see, you wouldn't listen to me, now you've got to pay" emphasize the message of the song. The person who wouldn't listen is now facing the consequences of their actions, and it is too late to undo the damage. The repetition of the chorus is significant, as it drives home the point that the person had plenty of opportunities to change course, but they failed to do so.

The verses of the song also emphasize the theme of consequences. The line "Or you'll wreck your life too" is particularly poignant, as it highlights the fact that the person's bad choices have ripple effects that reach beyond just their romantic relationship. In the end, the message of the song is clear: listen to the people who care for you, or suffer the consequences.

Line by Line Meaning

I told you he was no fool
I warned you about him and tried to make you see the truth

(You wouldn't listen to me)
But you didn't listen to me and ignored my advice

He'll break your heart
He will hurt you emotionally and cause you pain

(You wouldn't listen to me)
But you still didn't take my warning seriously

He'll tear it apart
He will destroy your heart and ruin your life

(You wouldn't listen to me)
Even though I tried to warn you, you refused to listen

So you better get smart
You need to wise up and take action to protect yourself

(You wouldn't listen to me)
But again, you chose to ignore my advice

(Chorus)
Repeatedly emphasizing the fact that you didn't listen to what I had to say

You've been untrue
You have been disloyal and deceptive in your actions

(You wouldn't listen to me)
But as usual, you didn't pay attention to my words

I said he's watching you
I warned you that he's keeping an eye on you and your behavior

(You wouldn't listen to me)
And predictably, you chose to ignore my advice once again

So watch what you do
You need to be careful and mindful of your actions

Or you'll wreck your life too
Otherwise, you'll end up destroying your own life just like he will

(Repeat Chorus)
Repeating the message that you didn't listen to me and now you'll have to pay the price

I gave you plenty of warning
I provided you with ample notice and caution

You wouldn't listen to what I say
But you deliberately ignored my advice and guidance

Now you are in mourning
And now you're facing the consequences of your actions and are grieving

I see that you're in a mighty bad way
I can see that you're really struggling and in a very difficult situation

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
This is just filler

(Repeat Chorus)
The chorus is repeated once again to emphasize the fact that you didn't listen to my warnings

You wouldn't to me
Reiterated once again for emphasis

Now you have gotta pay
Now you'll have to pay for not listening to me

You've gotta pay
The consequences of your actions are now unavoidable

Contributed by Isaiah T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Comments from YouTube:

@lilsuzq32

5y↑31

I love the Chicago garage bands ... Ides of March, Shadows of Knight, The Buckinghams, Styx, Chicago, etc.

@engineerSE1

4y↑8

and don't forget the NEW COLONY SIX

@EBthere

4y↑8

and The Cryan' Shames They were great!!

@bettemiller3329

3y↑4

@@EBthere and The Buckinghams!!

@CherrySlush1

2y↑4

The Flock, Mauds, Riddles and The American Breed too

@CrankedUpReallyHigh

2y↑2

LOL. Neither Chicago or (especially) Styx are garage bands. The Buckinghams and the Ides of Match (as heard here) sort of were, early on. The Shadows of Knight definitely are archetypal garage, though.

9 More Replies...

@rubenr7925

1y↑10

Grew up in the 60's,,fantastic time to be here in Chicago!

@JuneLynn

10y↑22

summer nights falling asleep with my little transistor radio on...listening to this song on WLS...great music & times..

@dntamuu76

10y↑3

I could pick up WLS late at night in Houston ,TX and remember this song well!

@MrGallan50

10y↑3

my teen years :) the best !!!

@ChuckTiller

9y↑5

dntamuu76
I did, too. After KILT fired Jim Wood on the night shift, I flipped to the Big 89 at night. KNUZ was too weak to get on my side of town. Later as an an adult I would become a DJ on both of those Houston stations.

@Cookies_crumbs

Yes! Both WLS and WCFL out of Chicago. John “Records” Landecker and Jonathan Brandmeier were two of my fav DJs.

@bj9smith

4y↑21

those 1960s radio waves from WLS just returned from deep space to my old transistor radio. What a trip in time hearing this song.

@poikaa3

4y↑4

I live 500 miles to the North and WLS was always on my radio.... at night anyways!

@realcoolbreeze

1y↑7

Loved this song. Haven t heard it since the late 60 s. Forgot about it until I came across it tonight. No words.👍

@MrPianogeek

24w↑3

I've never been prouder to be a Chicago-born musician, these guys are exemplary. I love the band Chicago too, my parents saw them many times. But there's something special about this group and Survivor. Jim Peterik is a local hero, founding both groups and smashing the charts in the late 60s and again in the early 80s. Not many people can claim that, if any.

@1anthonypi

9y↑8

I live in upstate South Carolina, and I would hear this song on WOWO Fort Wayne IN. 50,000 Watts. I could pick it up late at night. This is my favorite song by them.

@johnthiel7422

3y↑19

When Chicago was in the center of Rock and roll

@musiccollector

3y↑3

It still is - in my heart.

@tinydancer62

2y↑1

@@musiccollector It is to me, and I'm from the West Coast. Best bands are from Chicagoland.

@ksmileywaisnor9925

11y↑8

I went 2 high school with these guys. This was always there best song.

@terrencevandyke7762

10y↑9

This is a GREAT SONG; from another great group from the CHICAGO LAND AREA!! YES!!

@WytZox1

9y↑4

Although the band is from Berwyn, IL there's an obvious British Invasion influence here. ☺

@chrissiepoo52

9y↑8

Went to high school with these guys. Great guys! also was in class with Dean Aliotta whose older brother was in Aliotta, Hanes, and Jeremia

@billmcelligott7482

4y↑10

Saw them perform this song in 1966 when they opened for Paul Revere and the Raiders at the old Arie Crown Theater in Chicago.

@geojetson9533

1y↑4

Fellow Morton West Falcons like me. Good for u guys still going. Made us proud in Berwyn ❤

@richardwade9716

1y↑10

This is the same 4 guys that started 58 years ago and are still playing.

@juliereminiec4937

I know.. I own a copy of the soundstage garage rock dvd

@stuartross4904

4y↑10

Can't believe it's the same band that released Vehicle 4 years later. Love it. Heard it on Rockin' John's I Like It Like That radio show on WORT in Madison WI tonight. He plays the best stuff. Love garage rock.

@bj9smith

5y↑13

..listening to a transistor radio while driving north late at night, going to Hayward WI in 1960s, WLS or KAAY came in great on the mini speaker. Ah nostalgia! Go Peterick!

@emilymalden3310

3y↑5

I am a Chicago gal born in the late 60's. I like this song. Listen people when your friends warn you.

@ronfoss2583

9y↑23

The Ides best song…Vehicle is a close second….so very…very long ago…shout out to the teen years in Libertyville,Illinois…

@60s70sChicagoRock

9y↑3

Ron Foss Too bad those outside the Chicago area never had the privilege of hearing these great bands, unless they could tune in on WLS or WCFL!!

@ronfoss2583

9y↑2

60s70sChicagoRock You got it!

@StudioZ7

8y↑1

+60s70sChicagoRock These songs did get played in Minneapolis on stations such as WDGY, KDWB, WWTC...we could also pick up The Big 89 WLS after dark.

@60s70sChicagoRock

StudioZ7
I stand corrected, thanks! :)

@charlesr.baconsr.7403

7y↑1

WLS hooked me up in Romeoville!

5 More Replies...

@tbart765

5y↑13

Jim Peterik is a cool guy, still living like a rock star!

@tayninh69

5y↑12

Reminds me of the best summer I ever had.............1966

@amyyoung2804

8y↑10

great tune. cryin shames and ides of march, illinois"s finest,

@KA9DSL

18w↑2

I met Jim Peterrik a couple of times when I was working at WFLD Fox32. Very kind man, he even sang to my wife on video.

@60s70sChicagoRock

18w

JP is awesome!

@3CBCO

5y↑12

The Blue Village in Westmont. Buckinghams, Cryan Shames, others. Great music.

@philipmanning5148

7y↑7

this song should have been a big national hit.Hard to believe it wasn't. Big on WLS Chicago though. I could listen to this song over and over.

@eseckler

11y↑1

Havent heard this tune in what like over 45 years . This and Roller Coaster were great tunes.

@bradleysmith141

3y↑9

....circa mid '60s driving north to our cottage in WI late night, had 10 transistors tuned to WLS or KAAY, whichever was receiving from 'deep space transmission'.......this song came through full strength.

@kathleenmink2110

KAAY Little Rock, Arkansas? I could pick it up late at night in the Chicago suburbs.

@joecalandriello8576

3y↑6

Another great Chicago band and I did Listen to You!

@amyyoung2804

8y↑7

underrated band. great 60s song

@geojetson9533

3y↑6

Hey Jim. Thanx for the music and memories, From a fellow Berwynite and Morton West falcon

@krugcpa

14y↑1

I remember hearing this song on WLS through the cheap speaker of a small transistor radio at night in Reedsburg, WI back in the 60s, but missed that the Ides of March was the band. A quintessential 60's arrangement stills sounds great to these ears. WLS was the gateway to great music and had a large following in my little town. When the local stations went off the air at sundown, the 50,000 watt signal of WLS came in loud and clear.

@1955Cal

7y↑7

Berwyn! I always liked this song, and the fact that they were local boys! Some great bands came out of the Chicago area!!!!!!!!!!!

@tinydancer62

The best bands

@merledelong7869

4y↑6

one of my very fav songs.

@amcken9316

2y↑7

Made #21 in Canada, August 1966. :)

@wwrigh

7y↑7

These guys and the 'Shames were very very good.

@Jameswilliamson405

11y↑1

Love this song first time I ever heard it thanks james

@lilsuzq32

4y↑10

Gahwud, I miss the garage band days <3

@janetsmith5749

7y↑3

ah yes nostalgia at its best. Listening to KAAY while camping on a remote island in north WI in late 60s. What a trip to think that this band still performs. Its all a time machine in our mind!

@Charlesvermont1966

49w↑4

I pull this 45 out, and "Rollercoaster," and blast them every March 15th!

@joelengles5429

3y↑6

Just an awesome group.

@malcolmmarshall5946

38w↑3

Got a lot of airplay down here in Texas

@randypiquette8524

7y↑6

great post.....its been a long time....neighbor to the north ... great town of Milwaukee

@Krallyz28

12y

I heard this song first time on WYSL FM in Buffalo in the late sixties. A great song. thanks for posting it,

@RickRox75

5y↑10

The guitar remind me of Tired Of Waiting For You by The Kinks.

@juanfafutis2283

Así es , lo mismo note amigo.

@tinydancer62

I think it does too.

@robertearly9208

4y↑12

When I was 14 my band (After 6 Group ) opened for them at the Tiki Club in Orlando (or was it the Coconut Club ? LOL)

@jeffk2053

2y↑7

This group is the same group that gave us "Vehicle".

@JuneLynn

14y

LOVE this, haven't heard this one in years, great song!! thanks so much for posting it!!

@revup67

13y↑1

great jangly folk rock garage pop classic!

@wynonie

5y↑12

Forgotten(not by me) radio oldie from 1966.

@rondohunter8966

4y↑1

I was 10 y.o. and hooked on radio. It's been an up and down ride over the years but overall, it's been pretty damn good. Now the net has made them pretty much irrelevant.

@jwcadoret1

6y↑3

Heard this on WDRC in Hartford, received quite a bit of airplay. Great song.

@jwcadoret1

4y↑1

Great Station!

@mikerafone4736

2y↑9

WLS HIT!!

@gailklein9020

3y↑2

Loved this. I mailed away to the record company for the 45 single.

@ronviens7040

3y↑1

I had to do the same with this song, as well as their next single "You Need Love"

@calleaeste

11y↑1

Stole my thought! Still a great tune.

@imurc

11y↑2

I loved wls. john records landecker. awsome!

@yorgo49

13y

great song thanks

@spottednugget

10y↑4

Berwyn oooohh
My city lol

@andy749

10y↑1

Good song!

@bj9smith

12y

Great tune from Peterick. Remember tuning in KAAY from Little Rock on an old TransOceanic radio in Hayward WI. WLS was just as strong but in the days of AM seeing how far away one could 'get culture' was cool. BTW Ides play in St Germain WI this Aug 4th 2012. yeah, yeah.

@bandcouver

13y↑5

I hear The Kinks' "Tired Of Waiting" in the opening riff.

@akbarlebowitz8151

6y↑1

Yes, the rhythm guitar reeks of "Tired Of Waiting For You".

@macarthurp

Me too!!!!!

@salozmen29

Kinks sued them and won big

@vandywilliam

14y

A great song from the summer of 1966 by the same Chicago group that would later hit it big (in 1970) with "Vehicle."

@robertprims2006

5y↑8

Jim peterik is great

@debbiekeefe9530

7y↑2

great song

@vandywilliam

13y

A great, great song ... almost four years before their big hit ("Vehicle") in 1970.

@ronviens7040

When "Vehicle" came out in 1970, I thought it was a new hit by Blood, Sweat & Tears, who were big during that time.

@glennhfriedman4571

27w

almost made it in NYC .And f I loved it ......

@brotherthor8699

6y↑4

Why don't people make karaoke cd''s of this era's great Chicago band songs.

@dougc426

8y↑7

Dex Cards Wild Goose in waukegan,Il back in 1966!

@johnkilroy2331

7y↑1

Wow!

@ronfoss2583

Probably saw you there! Grew up in Libertyville. Friday nights in Waukegan.

@brotherthor8699

6y↑2

What are the groups/fans of great oldie songs opinions of sharing timeless music via karaoke? Karaoke is not sampling, by the way. Also, some lyrics are changed possibly for legal purposes.

@mikes4525

3y↑3

Gr8 song !!!!

@schmidtwilliams2419

8y↑3

like this one much better than other than proceeded!!!!!

@olhobbler

6y↑5

it was big in Orlando on WLOF channel 95.

@danielhayes7967

Now I have to google that Orlando Station.

@1955Cal

8y↑4

I thought being the Ides of March today, it was appropriate it to listen to a few songs by them. I always liked this song, I forgot they did this song and they were a local band to me. Berwyn! I lived on the south side of Chicago then when this song came out. Beware the Ides of March, just kidding.

@MadameLil

14y

Like the slide show!

@68enxy

6y↑10

Every March 15th, I make a face book posting with this title and artist, to see if anyone gets it! Most do.

@brianwalendy3735

6y↑2

68enxy can I please steal that idea?

@68enxy

6y↑2

go for it

@mehitabelgill6711

3y↑4

"I'll Keep Searching" is the flip side

@tinydancer62

Another great song.

@bufb

6y↑3

Good one

@view4evah

12y↑1

@bj9smith Hahaha, good ol' KAAY !!!! I heard songs on that station way before WLS and WOKY (Milwaukee) played them! In Wisconsin the AM stations always came in loud and clear.

@ricjan58

5y↑8

Eighty nine, double you ellllll esssss.

@60s70sChicagoRock

5y↑1

ricjan58 Good one. Only Chicago radio listeners would understand!

@martyzielinski2469

5y↑2

0nly OLD Chicago radio listeners would understand.....

@60s70sChicagoRock

5y↑1

@@martyzielinski2469 Lol, yep!

@tubedude54

5y↑2

Eight NINETY... duba you L S! Alternately... it was the BIG Eighty Nine!

@alancruzdominguez5074

3y↑8

Kinks Tired of waiting for you vibe

@tinydancer62

I agree 💯

@rollingstones1965

Very cute post Emily 😀

@Marfette24

14y

@krugcpa Are you talking about Reedsburg, Wisconsin? I, too, grew up there, graduated in 1966. Listened to WLS a lot.

@amyyoung2804

2y↑6

Did the Shadows of Knight cover "Gloria"?

@lilsuzq32

2y↑2

They sure did!!!

@amyyoung2804

2y↑2

@@lilsuzq32 thanks much

@mrmaticuluos

1y↑2

Yes, original by Van Morrison & Them.

@krugcpa

14y

@Marfette24 Yes. I am Class of 1975.

@deanebray3112

6y↑8

SUCH A GREAT SONG GOOD VOCALS AND INSTURMENTS

@ludannelasyvyus1824

@deane bray It does have a British Invasion sound.
It was part of the music during that period.

@brotherthor8699

5y↑6

She wouldn't listen to him.

@123666yeah

5y↑1

I dont blame her.

@pgh45rpms

12y

Vocals sort of sound like Peter & Gordon.

@gogoyubari366

2y↑2

I thought they were a one hit wonder.

@60s70sChicagoRock

2y↑2

Cap'n Crunch - "L.A. Goodbye" was also a hit for them.

@refriedboogie

2y↑2

Ides of march are a mega all star group

@juliereminiec4937

2y↑1

Vehicle was their only hit

@juliereminiec4937

2y↑1

@@60s70sChicagoRock Where was L A Goodbye a hit for Ides of March ?

@60s70sChicagoRock

2y↑4

@@juliereminiec4937 It was #1 on the charts here in Chicago for five weeks in '71. And for some other Midwest areas, it was a hit.

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