I Used to Say I Love You
Robyn Hitchcock · I Wanna Go Backwards [2007]
I wanted to believe it and now I almost do
I used to say I love you, I said it as a threat
Or maybe as a promise to see what I could get
But my heart doesn't break anymore
No, my heart doesn't ache anymore
'Cause it just couldn't take anymore
And I've lost my illusions about you now
I used to say I love you, it wasn't what I meant
What I really meant was "Come on in my tent"
But you were reluctant, although I was so hot
Now I understand it, but back then I did not
But my heart doesn't wear anymore
No, my heart doesn't care anymore
'Cause my heart isn't there anymore
And I've lost my illusions about you now
And now if I should see you or call you on the phone (mm hmmm)
I wonder who's that person I could never call my own
Although I kind of like you, I'll never understand
Why I got so excited each time that we held hands
'Cause my heart doesn't feel anymore
No, my heart doesn't wheel anymore
'Cause it just isn't real anymore
And I've lost my illusions about you now
I Used to Say I Love You
Robyn Hitchcock's 'I Used to Say I Love You' appears on the 2007 album 'I Wanna Go Backwards,' a collection that reflects his continued exploration of melancholic pop and art rock. The track exemplifies Hitchcock's signature style, blending nostalgic lyricism with a haunting, reverb-drenched production that has become a staple of his discography. Released during a period where he frequently revisited his catalog with new arrangements, the song captures the emotional texture of his work from the mid-to-late 1990s. It stands as a poignant example of his ability to transform personal sentiment into universal musical expression, characteristic of his long-standing career in the English indie and post-punk scenes.