Rundgren is well known among his fans as being an electronic music revolutionary. His skilled production techniques, matched by his belief that he has ability to play just about any instrument at a mastery level, has allowed him to release some of the most honest and personal music of his time. Many of his solo albums, including Something/Anything?]' were made completely by himself. That is, he played all the instruments, sang all the vocals, did all of the recording, editing, mixing, and mastering.
Website: http://www.tr-i.com/
Core discography:
With Nazz:
1968 - Nazz
1969 - Nazz Nazz
1970 - Nazz III
Solo:
1970 - Runt
1971 - Runt. The Ballad of Todd Rundgren
1972 - Something/Anything?
1973 - A Wizard, a True Star
1974 - Todd
1975 - Initiation
1976 - Faithful
1978 - Hermit of Mink Hollow
1978 - Back to the Bars (live)
1981 - Healing
1983 - The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect
1985 - A Cappella
1989 - Nearly Human
1991 - 2nd Wind
1993 - No World Order
1995 - The Individualist
1997 - With a Twist
1998 - Up Against It
2000 - One Long Year
2003 - Can't Stop Running (live box set)
2004 - Liars
2008 - Arena
2011 - Todd Rundgren's Johnson
2011 - (re)Production
2013 - State
2015 - Global
2015 - Runddans (collaboration with Emil Nikolaisen and Hans-Peter Lindstrøm)
2017 - White Knight
With Utopia:
1974 - Todd Rundgren's Utopia
1975 - Another Live
1976 (released 2001) - Disco Jets
1977 - Ra
1977 - Oops! Wrong Planet
1980 - Adventures in Utopia
1980 - Deface the Music
1982 - Swing to the Right
1982 - Utopia
1984 - Oblivion
1985 - P.O.V.
2003 - Last of the New Wave Riders (live box set)
It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference
Todd Rundgren Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I ever thought about lying,
I'd rather think of dying instead
And maybe you remember the last time you called me
To say we were through
How it took a million tears
Just to prove they all were for you
But those days are through
'Cause it wouldn't have made any difference,
If you loved me
How could you love me
When it wouldn't really make any difference,
If you really loved me
You just didn't love me
'Cause I know of hundreds of times I could be
In the most unfaithful arms that you always picture me
And maybe you remember that
Though I can't always show proof I was true
No one else could change my mind or
Stop me coming home to you
But those days are through
You just did not love me enough to believe me
Enough not to leave me
Enough not to look for a reason to be unhappy with me
And make me regret ever wanting you
But those days are through
The lyrics of Todd Rundgren's "It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference" speak of a failed relationship that has fallen apart due to the lack of trust and faith between the two individuals involved. The song is an introspective look at the turmoil of a failed relationship and the feelings of regret that comes in its aftermath.
In the opening lines, Todd Rundgren addresses the issue of honesty in the relationship. He asserts that he'd rather die than think about lying, suggesting his complete commitment to honesty. The lines that follow, however, highlight the fragility of the relationship and its eventual breakdown. The lines, "Maybe you remember the last time you called me to say we were through, / How it took a million tears just to prove they all were for you," lament the fact that the singer was forced to prove their love and devotion to their partner.
The chorus speaks to the idea that the love between the two of them was not enough to keep the relationship together. While the singer may have been committed to their partner, it ultimately didn't matter because the love was not reciprocated. The line, "It wouldn't have made any difference if you loved me," speaks to how despite the singer's dedication to the relationship, without the same level of commitment from their partner, it was doomed to fail.
The second verse speaks to the doubts and suspicions that arise in any relationship, particularly when trust is low. The lines, "I know of hundreds of times I could be in the most unfaithful arms that you always picture me," highlight the partner's lack of trust in the singer, even when there is no concrete evidence of infidelity. The singer also refers to moments of faithfulness that were not acknowledged, indicating that the partner was too blinded by their doubts to see the truth.
In the final lines of the song, the singer comes to terms with the end of the relationship, recognizing that their partner did not love them enough to believe in them. The line, "And make me regret ever wanting you," speaks to the pain and heartbreak that comes with a failed relationship. Despite the sadness of the song, the singer also acknowledges that the days of agony and uncertainty are over, implying that there is a sense of closure and acceptance.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you remember the last time I said
Do you recall the time when I conveyed
If I ever thought about lying,
If I had even considered telling falsehood,
I'd rather think of dying instead
I'd rather contemplate passing away instead
And maybe you remember the last time you called me
And maybe you recollect the occasion when you phoned me
To say we were through
To say that we were no longer together
How it took a million tears
How it required a million tears
Just to prove they all were for you
Just to validate that they were all for you
But those days are through
But that time period is now history
'Cause it wouldn't have made any difference,
Because it would have had no impact whatsoever
If you loved me
If you truly loved me
How could you love me
How could you possibly love me
When it wouldn't really make any difference,
When it would not have changed anything,
If you really loved me
If you genuinely loved me
You just didn't love me
You simply did not care for me
'Cause I know of hundreds of times I could be
Because I am aware of numerous moments when I could be
In the most unfaithful arms that you always picture me
In the arms of a disloyal partner as you always think
And, maybe you remember that
Perhaps you recollect that
Though I can't always show proof I was true
Although I cannot always provide evidence that I was faithful
No one else could change my mind or
No other person could alter my decision or thoughts, or
Stop me coming home to you
Prevent me from returning home to you
But those days are through
But that time period is now history
You just did not love me enough to believe me
You simply did not have enough affection for me to trust me
Enough not to leave me
Enough not to leave my side
Enough not to look for a reason to be unhappy with me
Enough not to look for a cause to be unhappy with me
And make me regret ever wanting you
And, make me feel remorseful for ever desiring your affection
But those days are through
But that time period is now history
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TODD RUNDGREN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Roger Oliver Bennett
One of the truly great rock-pop ballads of all time: lyrical vocals, light-touch instrumentals, and sentiment in abundance ... the full package.
richard brunning
What makes this such a great song is Todd is every track on it... vocals... instruments... a true visionary for his time
Marybeth Clark
He has been, still is and will always be a visionary, undoubtly our "Wizard" and "Truest 🌟"! I have been so blessed to have had my eyes opened early, " to see the light". I'll be drawn to his spirit and soul for all time,even in our "afterlife".
k. burnett
Love this song. Totally underrated vision of songwriting. Amazing.
grandma smurf
Heard this album in 1977ish at about 16 from my older sister. Loved it ever since! Todd is God!!! His voice was like velvet back then and his endless talent is never-ending!!!
Justin Time For Parties
@Marybeth Clark ‘55?
Marybeth Clark
Ditto! My first time was 1971-72 at 17, but he had me during Nazz/Runt days! Oh,young love!!
David Boswell
I bought this double album in 1972. One of my favorite records of all time. I still have the vinyl(s).
Carseye1
Maybe my favorite college album. Needed it to mellow out with all the Led Zeppelin fans on my dorm floor.
Elron Humpperdink
Wow, love Zeppelin and Todd.
Beats what I’d hear now lol.