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song: Cruel To Be Kind
artist: Nick Lowe
album: Labour of Lust
released: 1979-06length: 3:23
6.7
(220)
(no lyrics available)
Nick Lowe

Nicholas Drain Lowe (born 24 March 1949) is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer. A noted figure in pub rock, power pop and new wave, Lowe has recorded a string of well-reviewed solo albums. Along with being a vocalist, Lowe plays guitar, bass guitar, piano and harmonica.

He is best known for the songs "Cruel to Be Kind" (a US Top 40 single) and "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" (a top 10 UK hit), as well as his production work with Elvis Costello, Graham Parker, and others. Lowe also wrote "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding", a hit for Costello and "I Knew the Bride (When She Used to Rock 'n' Roll)", a hit for Rockpile bandmate Dave Edmunds.

Artist Website
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Comments ( 47 )
Posted 3 months ago by Sofa_King:
Lyrics:

Oh, I can't take another heartache
Though you say you're my friend
I'm at my wits' end
You say your love is bona fide
But that don't coincide
With the things that you do
And when I ask you to be nice, you say

You've gotta be cruel to be kind in the right measure
Cruel to be kind, it's a very good sign
Cruel to be kind means that I love you, baby
(You've gotta be cruel)
You've gotta be cruel to be kind

Well, I do my best to understand, dear
But you still mystify
And I want to know why
I pick myself up off the ground
To have you knock me back down
Again and again
And when I ask you to explain, you say

You've gotta be cruel to be kind in the right measure
Cruel to be kind, it's a very good sign
Cruel to be kind means that I love you, baby
(You've gotta be cruel)
You've gotta be cruel to be kind (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)

Well, I do my best to understand, dear
But you still mystify
And I want to know why
I pick myself up off the ground
To have you knock me back down
Again and again
And when I ask you to explain, you say

You've gotta be cruel to be kind in the right measure
Cruel to be kind, it's a very good sign
Cruel to be kind means that I love you, baby
(You've gotta be cruel)
You've gotta be cruel to be kind

(Cruel to be kind) Oh, in the right measure
(Cruel to be kind) Yeah, it's a very, very, very good sign
(Cruel to be kind) It means that I love you, baby
(You've gotta be cruel)
You've gotta be cruel to be kind

(Cruel to be kind) Oh, in the right measure
(Cruel to be kind) Yes, it's a very, very, very good sign
(Cruel to be kind) It means that I love you, baby
(You've gotta be cruel)
You've gotta be cruel to be kind
(Cruel to be kind) Oh, in the right measure
(Cruel to be kind) Yes, it's a very, very, very good sign
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Posted 1 year ago by Stratocaster:
For those wishing that this awesome song would somehow be pushed down to a Sucko-Barfo by like minded individuals, I hate to tell you…you are in the vast minority. It currently sits (deservedly) between Pretty Good and Quite Likeable! Ha ha ha!!
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Posted 13 years ago by HazzeSwede:
hi hi..{#Dancingbanana}
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Posted 19 years ago by marz_cat:
Zarba. Absolutely. Makes me grin. Always...
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Posted 19 years ago by Zarba:
My God, this is one of the best pop songs to come out of that era. Great tune, good harmonies, crystal clear production. It doesn't get any better than this.
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Posted 20 years ago by radiojunkie:
One of MY all-time favorites -- who ARE you people saying nasty things about Nick Lowe?
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Posted 20 years ago by yogaboat:
A keeper, indeedy! This song reminds me of working at the dry cleaners everyday after my senior year in high school. Yes. I am old. :roll:
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Posted 20 years ago by beelzebubba:
Not all pop-ish tunes suck. This one is a keeper. Kind of has that Jeff Lynn/ELO thing going on.
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Posted 20 years ago by wafflecrotch:
Great, fun tune. Enjoyable early MTV video.
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Posted 20 years ago by JamieR:
FANTASTIC!! :D/
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Posted 20 years ago by ninja_band:
this is a classic - great freaking song
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Posted 20 years ago by ghcollins86:
No better pop song . . .
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Posted 20 years ago by :
Mark1970 wrote:
If you aren't tapping you foot to this, you need your pulse checked.....
well put!
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Posted 20 years ago by ScottyB:
Mark1970 wrote:
Brings back early memories of when Mtv first started...... D'oh.... just dated myself..... If you aren't tapping you foot to this, you need your pulse checked.....
65
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Posted 21 years ago by Drunkenlilacwine:
danceable but cool song!!!
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Posted 21 years ago by :
Snarf hasn't a clue and the rest of you - apart from Bean - are heathens!! Dream on losers!!! Classic song this......even my feet are tapping!...Please tell me yours aren't??... Liars!!!
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Posted 21 years ago by :
ha ha!! Another record the Americans do not appreciate....ha ha!!...sums it up.. Stick with Dylan and keep on the rocking chair!!
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Posted 21 years ago by gypsy222:
I give it an 8! Good song!
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Posted 21 years ago by ScottFromWyoming:
stubbsz wrote:
Sorry Scott... Adjustment complete
Heh. First 4 people to rate it gave it a 10. I've never seen that. And then a monkey shows up with his finger on the 1. Damn. This reminds me that I found RP when I Googled for Nick Lowe one day. RP used to list on Shoutcast, iTunes, etc. as Eclectic...Rock playing Nick Lowe, etc. (or something to that effect.)
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Posted 21 years ago by stubbsz:
ScottFromWyoming wrote:
Wake up and slap a 10 on it!
Sorry Scott... Adjustment complete
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