So Much For Love

Album: Pearl Harbor And The Explosions (1980)
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Songfacts®:

  • "So Much for Love" is a song by San Francisco's trailblazing new wave band Pearl Harbor & the Explosions. From their 1980 self-titled debut, the song takes a cynical look at love, portraying a cold and empty relationship. Written by guitarist Peter Bilt with additional lyrics by frontwoman Pearl Harbor, the song's message is clear: Love can go sour.

    In a Songfacts interview with Pearl Harbor, she explained: "Peter Bilt from The Explosions actually wrote the song, including most of the lyrics. I just added some additional lyrics and changed some of his around. He came up with the title and arrangement. I suppose you could say that the lyrics speak for themselves – it's about love gone wrong."
  • Susanna Hoffs, the singer and guitarist of the Bangles, added a funky spin to "So Much for Love" on her 1991 solo debut album, When You're a Boy. The idea came from David Kahne, her producer, who also produced the original version by Pearl Harbor & the Explosions.

    "So Much for Love" wasn't the only cover on When You're a Boy. Hoffs also covered David Bowie's "Boys Keep Swinging," even using a line from the song for the album's title.
  • After the breakup of Pearl Harbor & the Explosions, Harbor relocated to London and launched a solo career. There, she met and married Paul Simonon, the bassist for The Clash. Their marriage lasted seven years.

    Looking back on her London days, Harbor told Songfacts: "It was fantastic and I had a blast. The music scene in London was amazing and we went out to see live music every week. I was so lucky to be there at that time."

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