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.
Sign Of The Times
The Rubettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've done everything I can to pull you thru'
But still you don't believe me
You think I'm just another symptom
I'm just a sign of the times
And it's been a good year for saying your prayers
And it's been a good year
It could have been a good year
I know this understanding is hard to do
It's just as hard for me girl
As it is for you
I know you're feeling helpless
You think I'm just another symptom
I'm just a sign of the times
And it's been a good year for saying your prayers
And it's been a good year
For putting on airs
It could have been a good year
I got no reason to lie to you
I've done everything I can to pull you thru'
But still you don't believe me.
The Rubettes's song Sign of the Times is a story about two people struggling to understand each other. The singer claims to have done everything in his power to help his partner overcome whatever challenges they face, but the partner still doubts his intentions. The partner sees the singer as just another symptom, someone who is a product of the era they live in, and thus, can't be trusted. The singer expresses that he understands the situation is hard for the partner, but it's just as hard for him. Both of them are feeling helpless in their own ways. The song ends on a somber note, with the singer lamenting that he has no reason to lie but still is not believed.
The song's lyrics are a commentary on relationships in contemporary times with its myriad of distractions and complications. Everyone is living in their own little world and struggles with understanding other people's realities.
Line by Line Meaning
I got no reason to lie to you
I am telling you the truth
I've done everything I can to pull you thru'
I have tried my best to help you
But still you don't believe me
You are not convinced by my words
You think I'm just another symptom
You believe I am a mere reflection of a larger issue
I'm just a sign of the times
I represent a larger societal trend
And it's been a good year for saying your prayers
People have been turning to religion this year
And it's been a good year
Overall, it has been a positive year
For putting on airs
For pretending to be something you're not
It could have been a good year
Things could have been better
I know this understanding is hard to do
I know it's difficult to comprehend
It's just as hard for me girl
I am struggling as well
As it is for you
I understand your perspective
I know you're feeling helpless
I understand you feel powerless
Contributed by Alaina C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sonia Garcia
Linda voz do Tony, excelentes músicos, banda maravilhosa mas beleza é com Alan Williams...🥰🥰
Gary Gallagher
c'est pour moi leur meilleur titre , a (re) écouter sans aucune modération. Merci pour le partage
Sandra Regina
Vixe,vc tem uma voz dos anjos The Rubettes 🌹🌿🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹 bjs 💋🇧🇷🇧🇷💗💞🌟✨
Hidauria nilsa sampaio da silva Sampaio da silva
Adoro música da banda the Rubettes são otimo
Corine Pradal
J aime beaucoup la voix de Tony!
Merci✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨♥️
Leonice Takahashi
Wow how cool, I loved it !! 🤗👏💓💓
jeanmidu13
j'adore cet album , les titres sont magnifiques
KStarDid
Le dernier des top albums, après ça baisse un tout petit peu.
jeanmidu13
@KStarDid j'ai arrêté d'acheter après l'album Baby i Know .....après je suis passé a de la musique un peu plus rapide avec beaucoup de guitare , de basse ,de batterie ,un guitariste avec un sac d'écolier sur le dos ,etc,etc,etc mais j'aime toujours autant ce groupe .........................
KStarDid
@jeanmidu13 Je n'ai jamais trop été AC/DC mais plus Black Sabbath, Blue Öyster Cult, Genesis, Ange (et Angel qui était une sorte de KISS en BIEN MIEUX !) et bien d'autres groupes mais les Rubettes sont le premier groupe que j'ai aimé !