This R&B vocal group was formed in 1959 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The Shep… Read Full Bio ↴This R&B vocal group was formed in 1959 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The Sheppards created a marvellous transitional style of R&B during the early 60s, drawing much of its character from earlier doo-wop, yet incorporating instrumentation and vocal stylings that in later years would inform soul music. They were named after their producer Bill ‘Bunky’ Sheppard. The members were lead and bass Millard Edwards, lead and top tenor Murrie Eskridge, baritone Jimmy Allen, bass and fifth tenor James Dennis Isaac, second tenor O.C. Perkins and guitarist Kermit Chandler. The group’s most famous song was the doo-wop ballad ‘Island Of Love’ (1959), but later tracks included ‘The Glitter In Your Eyes’ (1961) and ‘Tragic’ (1962). All the members had been veterans of the R&B scene for several years before joining together as the Sheppards. Eskridge and Perkins were members of the Palms on United in 1957, and Edwards, Allen and Isaac were members of the Bel Aires on Decca Records in 1958. Edwards left the group in 1967 to join the Esquires, another Sheppard-produced group. The Sheppards broke up in 1969. Jimmy Allen died in 1980, and Kermit Chandler in 1981.

I'm Not Wanted
The Sheppards Lyrics

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I, I'm tired of your bitchin'
And I-E-I-E-I, I'm sick of your whinging.
You've bitten more than you can chew
And you should know I'm the devils food.

Please try to forget me!
Cause I-E-I-E-I, I'm happy as can be
You complain more than I can stand

So grow some BALLS and be a man!

I'm not a whore, I just got over you
Now I'm hoping that you will too
Ain't it a shame
You've only got yourself to blame.
So if you want a fight
Tell another lie
I'll never forfeit my pride

Now, everything is splendid
I wake up feeling fresh
My life has amended
So understand - I'm not coming back.
I'm gonna find someone with the things you lack.

I'm glad you make a mistake
Before I did and stayed with you
And now you're making waves
Because you're sad and lonely, and hopeless too!
We were broken from the start, so you never broke my heart
And you always made me cry, I was never satisfied

So find another fish, there are plenty in the sea
You can fool them all you want with your sly trickery, OH!

Overall Meaning

The Sheppards's song "I'm Not Wanted" is a bold and empowering statement from the perspective of someone who has been mistreated in a relationship. The lyrics express frustration and complete exhaustion with the constant complaining and griping from a partner, who has bitten off more than they can chew. The singer portrays themselves as the "devil's food", signifying their resilience and strength in the face of adversity.

The chorus of the song is particularly powerful as the singer begs their ex-partner to forget them as they are now happy and free, unlike the miserable existence they endured in the relationship. The singer wishes for their partner to grow "some balls" and accept the reality of the situation. The second verse communicates that the singer is no longer interested in the relationship and has found someone else to fill the void left behind by their ex.

The final verse of the song is a final goodbye to the ex-partner. The singer is unapologetic about leaving and blames the partner for the demise of the relationship. The singer urges the ex to move on and find someone else to deceive with their "sly trickery." The song 'I'm Not Wanted' is an anthem of empowerment and independence, a message that resonates with everyone who has endured a toxic relationship and found the strength to walk away.

Line by Line Meaning

I, I'm tired of your bitchin'
The singer is exhausted by the other person constantly complaining and nagging.

And I-E-I-E-I, I'm sick of your whinging.
The singer is emphasizing their frustration towards the other person's constant complaining.

You've bitten more than you can chew
The other person has taken on more than they can handle.

And you should know I'm the devils food.
The artist is a bad influence on the other person.

Please try to forget me!
The artist is asking the other person to move on and let go of the relationship.

Cause I-E-I-E-I, I'm happy as can be
The singer is content without the other person.

You complain more than I can stand
The other person's constant complaining has reached a breaking point for the singer.

So grow some BALLS and be a man!
The artist is telling the other person to toughen up and take responsibility for their own life.

I'm not a whore, I just got over you
The artist is not promiscuous, they have simply moved on from the relationship.

Now I'm hoping that you will too
The artist wants the other person to move on from them.

Ain't it a shame
The singer is pointing out the irony of the situation.

You've only got yourself to blame.
The other person is responsible for their own actions and the outcome of the relationship.

So if you want a fight
The other person is seeking conflict.

Tell another lie
The other person has a history of being deceitful.

I'll never forfeit my pride
The singer will not compromise their self-respect.

Now, everything is splendid
The artist's life is going well.

I wake up feeling fresh
The artist feels rejuvenated and positive.

My life has amended
The singer's life has gotten better since leaving the other person.

So understand - I'm not coming back.
The singer has moved on and will not return to the relationship.

I'm gonna find someone with the things you lack.
The artist will seek out someone who possesses qualities that the other person does not have.

I'm glad you make a mistake
The artist is pleased that the other person made a mistake.

Before I did and stayed with you
The artist is happy they didn't make the mistake of staying in the relationship.

And now you're making waves
The other person is causing commotion.

Because you're sad and lonely, and hopeless too!
The other person is unhappy and lacking direction.

We were broken from the start, so you never broke my heart
The relationship was doomed from the beginning and the other person did not hurt the singer.

And you always made me cry, I was never satisfied
The other person caused the singer emotional pain and was never able to meet their needs.

So find another fish, there are plenty in the sea
The other person should move on and find someone else.

You can fool them all you want with your sly trickery, OH!
The other person can trick and deceive others, but the artist will not fall for it again.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JASON BOVINO, AMY LOUISE SHEPPARD, GEORGE JOSEF SHEPPARD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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