5. No Doubt About It

Music by Scott Dekko, words by Scott Dekko and Stephen Solum. Arrangement, performances, recording, and mixing by Stephen Solum.

©Ⓟ 2020. Stephen Solum. All rights reserved.

Just before my senior year in high school I joined a rock band with some older players from the Twin Cities and University of Minnesota. Scott Dekko was the keyboard player; he wrote this song in 1963, some years before I joined. It has stayed in my ear all this time. The new arrangement and verse lyrics are mine, but the music, refrain lyrics, and the essence of the song are Scott’s. I had no contact with him after 1968, and sadly, I believe he passed away in 2017. Rest in Peace, Scott.

No Doubt About It - lyrics

Love is a cruel thing, no doubt about it,

But I don't care now, I never sought it,

No, my sweet lover, I won’t come back,

Not until you fulfill the things you lack.

You’re always polishing your disguise,

Concealing less than you realize;

You really ought to mend your ways,

Or pretty soon you’ll be the one who pays.

Love is a cruel thing, no doubt about it,

But I don’t care now, Now I’ve forgot it,

No my sweet lover, we’ll never be,

You were wrong, being strong, writing songs; you forgot about me.

You’re always burnishing your machine,

You always say more than you really mean;

You really ought to mend your ways,

Or pretty soon you’ll be the one who pays.

Love is a cruel thing, no doubt about it,

But I don’t care now, I’m better without it,

No, my sweet lover, you crossed the line,

You took the measure of your life, you never thought about mine.

You really ought to mend your ways,

Or pretty soon you’ll be the one who pays.