The Kirkbys - Don't You Want Me No More (1965)

This group from Liverpool was one of the many projects manned by musician Jimmy Campbell. First known as The Panthers in 1962, the group played at The Cavern Club, opening for The Beatles. During a radio broadcast, a DJ mistook the group’s hometown as their band-name and introduced them as The Kirkbys, which stuck until the psychedelic music scene began to evolve. The group once again changed names, for the last time, to The 23rd Turnoff, a reference to the highway exit leading to Liverpool.

This song comes from the group’s Kirkbys-era. There were actually two recordings of this song. The first version was recorded by the group in Finland, but the group was unhappy with the result and its release. Hoping to create a better version, they re-recorded the song in the UK. Although they succeeded, it was never released. Heard below is the previously-unreleased version. Because a 2004 compilation of Campbell’s material was released under The 23rd Turnoff’s name, this song has often been erroneously attributed to The 23rd Turnoff.



The Kirkbys - Don't You Want Me No More (1965)

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Lyrics:

I’m worryin’ so much my head is sore
Your eyes don’t penetrate me like before
No longer do you satisfy
I need to know you’re only mine
Don’t you want me no more?

It’s obvious to me; don’t try to hide
The vessel of your thoughts, in me, confide
Sleep is catchin’ up on me
Let my head lie easily
Don’t you want me no more?

I’ve lost before; I lose some more
I’m worn out here again
But an in-between has got no dream
And I ain’t dreamed since when

I’m worryin’ so much my head is sore
Your eyes don’t penetrate me like before
No longer do you satisfy
I need to know you’re only mine
Don’t you want me no more?