Affection rejected happens to everybody at some point in life, which is why songs of pain and heartbreak resonate with so many people.
Richard Turgeon’s latest single, “I Never Loved You,” concerns such a theme, blowing in as yet another durable number from the prolific San Francisco Bay-Area singer, tunesmith and multi-diversified instrumentalist. In just five short years, he has knocked out four full-length albums, a pair of EPs, two discs of cover material and an olio of singles.
Despite its grim subject matter, “I Never Loved You” favors a high-powered pitch and arrangement. Crinkling and crunching with fat and fizzy Weezer-like chords, “I Never Loved You” is additionally magnified by compact melodies, solid and stable cowhide beats and flurries of airy harmonies.
Narrated by Turgeon’s hooky pipes, which are flecked with a rootsy snarl and whine, this clutching song conveys a charming nerd element, indicating the experience was a teen crush.
Boy spots girl at a dance, falls in love at first sight and they become friends. But the attraction isn’t mutual, and the girl – who is apparently already in a relationship – lets the boy down easy with pity in her eyes. The boy is so bitter and hurt that in the end he wishes he never met the girl.
Richard Turgeon’s prowess for writing vivid songs about accessible characters and situations, pooled with automatically appealing sound qualities, continually draws pats on the back from both the public and the press. And there is absolutely no doubt “I Never Loved You” will be also be commended.
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