Cause We've Ended As Lovers by Jeff Beck

Album: Blow By Blow (1975)

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Songfacts®:

This is the song Jeff Beck recorded as recompense for playing on Stevie Wonder's 1972 Talking Book track "Lookin' for Another Pure Love." Beck was supposed to get "Superstition," but Motown Records knew it was a hit and wouldn't let Stevie part with it. There was some friction between the two, but they came to an understanding, with Beck recording a different Stevie Wonder song, "Cause We've Ended As Lovers," for his 1975 album Blow By Blow.
"Cause We've Ended As Lovers" was first recorded by Syreeta Wright in 1974 on her album Stevie Wonder Presents: Syreeta. She and Wonder were married from 1970 to 1972 and often worked together; they teamed to write Wonder's hits "It's A Shame" and "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours."

This version has lyrics that are clearly about their relationship, describing a couple who are no longer lovers but wonder if they can still be friends. Beck's version is instrumental.
The Blow By Blow album was produced by George Martin, known for his work with The Beatles. Beck, who played in The Yardbirds in 1965 and 1966, was known at the time as a blues guitarist, but Blow By Blow was much more jazz inflected, showing a different side of Beck. Unlike he previous albums, it was all instrumental, so the focus was squarely on his guitar. The album didn't go over particularly well in his native UK but was a hit in America, where it sold over a million copies and got some airplay on some of the more adventurous FM radio stations.
On the album, there's this notation next to the track: "dedicated to Roy Buchanan and thanks to Steve." Steve is the track's writer, Stevie Wonder. Buchanan is an American guitarist who was a big influence on Beck and other British axemen, including Eric Clapton. He died in 1988 at 48.

Comments: 8

Sid Simpson from Belleville, IlMood Music Throwback...
All these years I had no clue it was written and first released by Stevie Wonder and Syreeta...in the 70's moreover. Who knew there were lyrics? Just when I thought I'd draft lyrics of my own...leave this one EXACTLY as is. There's a great story behind the writing. It goes to prove, a TRULY well written song will remain a standard over time and thus keep the artist alive beyond their own time on earth. Thank you for sharing this and reminding me of how the likes of Stevie and Earth, Wind & Fire taught me to write music truly from the heart.

Sidzone
John from North Port, FlaTruly one romantic song. The two Jeff Beck instrumental albums from the mid 70s are treasures not to be forgotten.
Rajko N. Dimitrijevic from Beograd SerbiaMy fav for 45 yrs now!
Jorge from Bronx, NyThis album came to by working in MSG here in NYC,whoever it belonged to,left two crates of rock LP's this was one,wow i was impressed,this song,Freeway jam and Constipated Duck were my favorites.
Ken from Fort Collins, CoActually, I believe it was first sung on the album "Stevie Wonder presents Syreeta" which came out in 1974. Jeff Beck then included the song on the album of the same name as the haunting instrumental that has become even more famous.
Ron from Los Angeles, CaYou got it half right Bill. Stevie Wonder wrote the song originally for his ex-wife Syreeta for an album (a very personal one for them) and her version was never released. The song does have lyrics to it too. Stevie wrote Thelonius Funk for Jeff on the Blow by Blow album too.
Adrian from Brookings, SdAwesome song on an even more awesome album that's top five of all time in my opinion. I was hardcore into the album when I was 13 and oddly enough had this song stuck in my head the entire time my family and I were vacationing in Disney World. Completely unrelated I'm sure, but still interesting to no one else but me. ;-)
Goldfish from , Wiabsolutely gorgeous solo that tells all the story. needs no lyrics

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