I like to see you/
But then again/
That doesn’t mean you mean that much to me.
When an author tells us “I’m not in love” over and over, is this a case of “Thou Doth Protesteth Too Much”? That is, is he really in love, and he is just trying to convince himself he isn’t? Perhaps. That seems to be the case in 10cc’s “I’m Not in Love”.
The narrator is telling someone–we’re not sure who–(maybe himself?) that he really isn’t in love with this girl. The sad vibe that the song evokes tells us that this is probably a story of unrequited love.
10cc’s “I’m Not in Love” is experimental in so many ways. The most obvious is the “big boys don’t cry” solo break. Usually, an instrumental solo would go here. I’ll leave it to the reader to imagine if that would have been a better option. This is certainly more memorable.
Also noteworthy is the “voices” sound-looping technology. At the time it was relatively new. It sounds similar to if you choose “voices” or “choir” on your keyboard, but it is actually them overdubbing loops of themselves singing the notes. Crazy. This helps to create 10cc’s one of a kind sound in “I’m Not in Love”.
I’m Not In Love Lyrics
I’m not in love,
So don’t forget it.
It’s just a silly phase I’m going through.
And just because
I call you up,
Don’t get me wrong, don’t think you’ve got it made.
I’m not in love, no no, it’s because…
I like to see you,
But then again,
That doesn’t mean you mean that much to me.
So if I call you,
Don’t make a fuss.
Don’t tell your friends about the two of us.
I’m not in love, no no, it’s because…
(Be quiet. Big boys don’t cry.)
I keep your picture
Upon the wall,
It hides a nasty stain that’s lying there.
So don’t you ask me
To give it back,
I know you know it doesn’t mean that much to me.
I’m not in love, no no, it’s because…
Ooh you’ll wait a long time for me,
Ooh you’ll wait a long time.
Ooh you’ll wait a long time for me,
Ooh you’ll wait a long time.
I’m not in love,
So don’t forget it,
It’s just a silly phase I’m going through.
And just because, I call you up,
Don’t get me wrong, don’t think you’ve got it made.
I’m not in love,
I’m not in love.
written by Eric Stewart / Graham Gouldman