Rhythm guitarist Dave Pritchard, bass guitarist Greg Masters and drummer Roger Spencer were the core of a band initally known as Billy King and the Nightriders, then later known as Mike Sheridan and the Nightriders and briefly as just The Nightriders.
In 1966 they advertised for a new guitarist/vocalist, Jeff Lynne applied and joined the band. After releasing one single they changed their name to Idle Race. Under Jeff Lynne's leadership they released two albums that sold poorly, despite support from John Peel and Kenny Everett.
In 1970, Jeff Lynne decided to join The Move so he and Roy Wood could work on what would eventually become Electric Light Orchestra
The remaining members of The Idle Race recruited 2 new members and released one further album. After Greg Masters left the group they became The Steve Gibbons Band.
Please No More Sad Songs
The Idle Race Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never coming back again
The lines go far ahead
Got a job fixed in the city
Wants to be a star she's pretty
And I don't get a part
So please no more sad songs
Isn't it nice holding you tight, remember?
Left a note here on the floor
Where she used to knock the door
I found when I got home
Said you're gonna be a singer
Be a star and real swinger
I hope it's very nice
So please no more sad songs
I've heard enough today
Isn't it nice holding you tight, remember?
Thought she was joking when I looked around
Went to her room and saw her things had gone
She must have flown, ahhh
Yes she's left upon the train
Never coming back again
The lines went far away
Got her job in the big city
She became a star so pretty
Now I don't know her name
So please no more sad songs
I've heard enough today
Isn't it nice holding you tight, remember?
So please no more sad songs
I've heard enough today
Isn't it nice holding you tight, remember?
Isn't it nice holding you tight, remember?
The song "Please No More Sad Songs" by The Idle Race is a melancholic ballad that tells the story of a young woman leaving her past behind to pursue her dreams of stardom in the city. The singer, who is left behind, is heartbroken and struggles to come to terms with the fact that his love has left him for good. The opening lines of the song, which describe the woman leaving on a train, set the tone for the rest of the song. The imagery of the train tracks and the distance they create between the singer and his love, combined with the repetitious use of the phrase "never coming back again," emphasizes the finality of her departure.
The song's chorus, "Please no more sad songs, I've heard enough today," is a plea for some kind of emotional respite from the turmoil of heartbreak. The singer is overwhelmed by sadness and is desperate to find some solace in his memories of happier times. The line "Isn't it nice holding you tight, remember?" is both a poignant reminiscence of intimacy and a bittersweet reminder that those moments are now gone forever.
Overall, "Please No More Sad Songs" is a heartfelt reflection on the universal experience of loss and the power of memory to both comfort and haunt us.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes she's leaving on the train
She is leaving on a train to a place far away.
Never coming back again
She has decided that she won't come back again.
The lines go far ahead
The tracks on which the train runs go far ahead of the singer's location.
Got a job fixed in the city
She has found a job in the city where she is going.
Wants to be a star she's pretty
She aspires to be famous, and she is beautiful.
And I don't get a part
The singer does not have a role in her aspirations and plans.
So please no more sad songs
The singer requests not to hear more depressing music.
I've heard enough today
The artist has already had their fill of sad music today.
Isn't it nice holding you tight, remember?
The artist is reminiscent of the time when they had physical intimacy with their significant other.
Left a note here on the floor
She left a note on the floor of the place where she used to live.
Where she used to knock the door
She used to knock the door of the singer's residence.
I found when I got home
The artist came home to find the note.
Said you're gonna be a singer
The note said that she is going to be a singer.
Be a star and real swinger
The note wished her to become famous and live a wild lifestyle.
I hope it's very nice
The singer sincerely wishes her well in her pursuits.
Thought she was joking when I looked around
Initially, the artist thought it was a prank or a jokey situation.
Went to her room and saw her things had gone
Upon checking her room, the artist confirmed that she had taken all of her belongings with her.
She must have flown, ahhh
The singer assumes that she has already boarded the flight and is possibly en route to her destination.
Now I don't know her name
The singer has moved on to a point where he has forgotten her name.
Isn't it nice holding you tight, remember?
The artist is reminiscent of the time when they had physical intimacy with their significant other.
So please no more sad songs
The artist requests not to hear more depressing music.
I've heard enough today
The artist has already had their fill of sad music today.
Isn't it nice holding you tight, remember?
The singer is reminiscent of the time when they had physical intimacy with their significant other.
Contributed by Mila M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.