The line-up of the band was Alan Williams (born 22 December 1948); Tony Thorpe (born 20 July 1947); Bill Hurd (born 11 August 1948); Mick Clarke (born 10 August 1946), and John Richardson (born 3 May 1948). The Rubettes’ first (and biggest hit) was “Sugar Baby Love” (released in 1974) which was a UK no. 1 and going on to sell around eight million copies worldwide. The distinctive falsetto lead vocal to “Sugar Baby Love” was however performed by Paul Da Vinci (real name: Paul Prewer) who left the group after a few weeks to be replaced by Williams.
The Rubettes went on to have a number of other hits during the mid-seventies such as “Juke Box Jive” and “I Can Do It”, mostly written by the Bickerton-Waddington song-writing team. Their final hit was the ‘country rock’ styled ballad - “Baby I Know” - which reached no. 10 in the UK in 1977.
The Rubettes’ first and biggest hit was "Sugar Baby Love" (1974) which was a UK number one, going on to sell around 500,000 copies in the UK and a reported global sale of three million copies. Two million copies being sold in France alone, an achievement matched by no other British group.[citation needed] With more three songs, "Sugar Baby Love" was recorded for Polydor in October 1973 at Landsdown Studios in Holland Park, London by some session musicians featuring the distinctive falsetto lead vocal by Paul Da Vinci (real name: Paul Prewer), but then he didn't seize the opportunity to actually become a member of the band put together by John Richardson and went for solo work. To be The Rubettes' debut single, "Sugar Baby Love" was their only UK #1 and sole U.S. Top 40 entry. In November 1974 NME music magazine reported that The Rubettes, The Glitter Band and Mud were among the UK bands who had roles in a new film titled Never Too Young To Rock.
The Rubettes went on to have a number of other hits across Europe during the mid 1970s such as "Tonight", "Juke Box Jive" and "I Can Do It" sung by Alan Williams, mostly written by the Bickerton-Waddington songwriting team. The Rubettes success encouraged Bickerton and Waddington to set up State Records, so that ten months after the release of "Sugar Baby Love", the fourth Rubettes single "I Can Do It" was on State (catalogue reference STAT 1).
None charted in the States, though, and the band evolved glammy nostalgia into more serious territory. "Under One Roof" (1976) a sensitive portrayal of a gay man disowned and later murdered by his father; along with Rod Stewart's "The Killing of Georgie", was one of very few songs tackling the difficult topic of homophobia. Their most successful self composed hit was the country rock styled ballad "Baby I Know", which reached number 10 in the UK and Germany in 1977. They played as a quintet since early 1975 and always as a quartet since mid 1976 (Bill Hurd became an out-off-staff member). After Thorpe's departure in 1979, The Rubettes fell silent in the face of dwindling success and soon had disbanded.
But the band continued releasing records into the 1980s, then re-grouped in 1983 in order to exploit the German market for 1970s nostalgia.
In 1994, the group's profile was raised by the inclusion of "Sugar Baby Love" in the hit movie, Muriel's Wedding. This song was also featured in the 2005 Neil Jordan film, Breakfast on Pluto soundtrack.
In 2002, the group hit the headlines once more when, following an acrimonius split and legal action, the Rubettes became the latest in a long line of bands (including Pink Floyd, the Beach Boys and Spandau Ballet) who ended up in the courts in a dispute over ownership of the band's name. The court ruled that both Williams and Hurd could tour as the Rubettes, as long as it was clear which member was fronting the band. Originals John Richardson and Mick Clarke, along with ex-Kinks keyboardist Mark Haley, feature with Alan Williams in his band; while Hurd is the only member of his group connected with the original line up.
All was well until 2005 when Williams and Hurd were back in court following an appearance by Hurd's band on the German television station ZDF, with Williams claiming Hurd had breached the terms of the original agreement. On 2 February 2006, a High Court judge found that Hurd and Williams had both been guilty of breaching the 2002 agreement. Costs of the trial were however awarded to Williams in view of the severity of Hurd's breaches. Hurd appealed against this decision, but on 3 November 2006 the Appeal Court in London ruled against him, awarding the costs of the appeal to Williams. Hurd has since gone bankrupt.
On 28 March 2008 "Sugar Baby Love" was declared to be the most successful oldie of all time by the German television station RTL.
In May and June 2008, The Rubettes were part of the 'Glitz Blitz & 70s Hitz' tour of the UK alongside Sweet and Showaddywaddy.
On June 19 2009, Bill Hurd's Rubettes played at the East Kilbride ArtBurst Festival.
Baby I Know
The Rubettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I told you that I was some other guy
You said that you'd phone when he got home
You told me to tell him that you'd called
Now you don't have to tell me goodbye
You don't have to hear me cry
You don't have to tell me to go
'Cause baby
The phone rang again for some time
I knew it was you on the line
I hurt you before I knew it for sure
Forgive me for being unkind
Now you don't have to tell me goodbye
When you called much later that night
I said he'd out 'till daylight
But if there's something I can tell him
Forgive me for asking but is something not right
And than you broke down and cried
Told me you loved him
But your love had been denied
He didn't want you no more
I told her don't you be so sure
He'll never want you to go
'Cause baby
Baby I know
Baby
I know
I know
baby
I know
I know
The Rubettes's song "Baby I Know" is a story about a troubled relationship that is falling apart. The singer receives a call from their partner, who is trying to say goodbye, claiming that they are with someone else. However, the singer knows the truth and tries to comfort their partner. The song is a plea for forgiveness and a reminder that the singer knows the difficulties that their partner is experiencing.
The song's opening lines immediately set the theme for the rest of the song: "You called me to tell me goodbye, I told you that I was some other guy." It becomes clear that the relationship is coming to an end, and the singer is trying to get a handle on the situation. The line "Now you don't have to tell me goodbye, you don't have to hear me cry" shows how the singer is coming to terms with the situation but still feels the pain of rejection.
The lyrics also show that the singer is aware of their partner's feelings despite their partner's attempts to hide them. When their partner calls again, the singer immediately recognizes who is on the other end of the line: "I knew it was you on the line." The singer then tries to make amends by admitting their wrongdoing and asking for forgiveness: "Forgive me for being unkind."
Overall, "Baby I Know" is a song about a failing relationship and the emotional turmoil that goes along with it. The singer knows that their partner is hurting but cannot fix the relationship themselves. It is a relatable song for anyone who has experienced the pain of a breakup.
Line by Line Meaning
You called me to tell me goodbye
You contacted me to inform me that you were ending our relationship
I told you that I was some other guy
I pretended to be someone else when you called
You said that you'd phone when he got home
You told me to wait until the person you were seeing came back before we continued our conversation
You told me to tell him that you'd called
You asked me to pass a message along to the person you were seeing
Now you don't have to tell me goodbye
You don't have to end our relationship anymore
You don't have to hear me cry
You won't have to listen to me cry over losing you
You don't have to tell me to go
You don't have to ask me to leave you alone
'Cause baby
Baby I know
I understand that you're unhappy and there's something wrong with your relationship
The phone rang again for some time
You called me repeatedly
I knew it was you on the line
I was aware that it was you calling
I hurt you before I knew it for sure
I unintentionally caused you pain before fully understanding the situation
Forgive me for being unkind
I apologize for my insensitive behavior
When you called much later that night
You contacted me again later that evening
I said he'd out 'till daylight
I informed you that the person you were seeing would be out until the morning
But if there's something I can tell him
If there's a message you want me to pass along, I'm willing to do so
Forgive me for asking but is something not right
I apologize for prying, but I sense that something is wrong
And than you broke down and cried
You became emotional and started crying
Told me you loved him
But your love had been denied
You expressed your love for the person you were seeing, but they didn't feel the same way
He didn't want you no more
The person you were seeing ended things with you
I told her don't you be so sure
I reassured you that things might not be over between you two
He'll never want you to go
'Cause baby
Baby I know
Baby
I know
I know
baby
I know
I'm confident that they will want you to stay with them, and I understand how you feel
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN RICHARDSON, ALAN WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-mb4uf8wb6w
Brings back so many happy memories of lost times how I wish we could go back in time and relive the era.
@petradevries8839
i wish that to.
@simongilbert2704
yes please ;;
@rosesuarez3372
Frankly speaking, it's the first time I heard this group. God bless you all guys 🙏🙏🙏
@mikederrick6062
Tony Thorpe, Alan Williams what a pair of superstars history that’s gone forever how sad is that……
Reunion🙏🙏🙏🙏🤞🤞🤞
@user-um9gy6pn3j
Merci pour tes code d’apprécier mes arrangements,amitiés viviane 👍👍👍👍💋💋💋💋
@thomasmarthinussen8978
Love how they finally let Roy Orbison sing a song!!!
@GazzaCal123
Brilliant song from a brilliant band. Most people only remember them for Sugar Baby Love but they were so much more than that.
@juliejoannebevan6617
Indeed they were! No wonder film critic (and part-time rockabilly musician) Mark Kermode rates them so highly. They spreadeagled The Eagles with this country-rock gem.
@thomasmarthinussen8978
I'm just glad they finally let Roy Orbison sing lead on a single!