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.
Dancing In The Rain
The Rubettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Someone said I made myself a fool
I don't recall the things they said I did
I know I'd never do that as a rule
I can't remember anything
I must be quite insane
'Cause all I can remember
I just can't seem to concentrate
I've tried time and again
But all I can remember
Is dancing in the rain
Did you really say the things you said
Was it true or is it fantasy
Did I lead you on or was I led
Was it really you or was it me
I can't remember anything
I must be quite insane
'Cause all I can remember
Is dancing in the rain
Now on with my best shoes
I'm soaked right to the skin
I've been dancing in the rain
What a funny mood I'm in
The doctor said I should've stayed in bed
I guess I shouldn've tried phone you
But I just had to see your face again
And I think I've got pneunomia
I can't remember anything
I must be quite insane
'Cause all I can remember
Is dancing in the rain
I just can't seem to concentrate
I've tried time and again
But all I can remember
Is dancing in the rain.
The Rubettes's song Dancing In The Rain tells the story of the aftermath of a wild night out. The singer wakes up with no memory of the evening, and is confronted with accusations of foolish behavior. However, all they can recall is the feeling of dancing in the rain. The lyrics express confusion and self-doubt as the singer tries to piece together what happened and determine whether they were responsible for their actions or if they were led astray by others.
The line "I can't remember anything, I must be quite insane" suggests a sense of desperation and fear, as the singer questions their sanity and ability to control their own behavior. The literal dancing in the rain becomes a symbol of liberation and joy, contrasting with the confusion and guilt that surround the rest of the events. The repetition of the refrain "I just can't seem to concentrate, I've tried time and again, but all I can remember is dancing in the rain" emphasizes the disorientation and memory loss that the singer is experiencing.
Overall, Dancing In The Rain is a catchy and upbeat tune that explores themes of memory, identity, and self-discovery. Through the lens of a night out gone awry, the song captures the universal experience of losing oneself in the moment and grappling with the aftermath.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't remember going out last night
I cannot recollect leaving my location the previous night
Someone said I made myself a fool
A person informed me that I acted foolishly
I don't recall the things they said I did
I cannot reminisce about the actions they claimed I performed
I know I'd never do that as a rule
I am sure I would not usually conduct myself in that manner
I can't remember anything
I am unable to revive any memories
I must be quite insane
I suspect that I might be mentally ill
'Cause all I can remember
Because the only thing I can recollect
Is dancing in the rain
Is me participating in a dance routine while it rains
I just can't seem to concentrate
I am having difficulty focusing
I've tried time and again
I made multiple attempts
Did you really say the things you said
Did you genuinely utter the statements you made
Was it true or is it fantasy
Was the content factual or imagined
Did I lead you on or was I led
Did I influence you or did you influence me
Was it really you or was it me
Did you perform it or did I
Now on with my best shoes
I am now wearing my finest footwear
I'm soaked right to the skin
My clothing is saturated, and I am damp all over
I've been dancing in the rain
I have been partaking in a dance routine while it rains
What a funny mood I'm in
I am in an unusual state of mind
The doctor said I should've stayed in bed
The physician stated that staying inside would have been preferable
I guess I shouldn't have tried phone you
I suppose I should not have attempted to contact you
But I just had to see your face again
Nevertheless, I required observing your visage once more
And I think I've got pneumonia
Furthermore, I believe I am battling pneumonia
Contributed by Julia V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Maxiclaudi
One of the great Rubettes songs. Not sure if I should be proud of it, but I still know all the lyrics and even have the old 45 singles!
@louwisa1962
They have so many good songs I have all the albums, love them!!!!!
@RubettesNancy
beautiful song! Thanks for the upload!
@anmaniis
Magnífico video con las portadas de los singles. Gracias.
@jerkermelander606
This track is from year 1976 and included on the album "Sign Of The Times". Their first album without producers and composers Bickerton/Waddington. I can´t say appreciated their new sound which was miles away from "Sugar Baby Love". It´s a pity they didn´t went on working with Wayne Bickerton who was the brain behind the their success. Paul Da Vinci was the lead singer on "Sugar Baby Love" but never a member of the group because he left for a solo career. But I do like "Stay With Me" from 1979.
@anmaniis
Gracias por el video, es estupendo.
@glenyspike4921
No I love this song. Alan's sweet voice.
@Meteotrance
i love the sound of this clavinet ^^ !!!
@soledadfuentes4852
Que si bailando contigo bajo la lluvia que bien y mientras me cantas al oido Alan.Sun.
@Maxiclaudi
Great video: I never knew they were published in Japan too! Otherwise I would have got a copy in the late 80's-early 90's!!!