Richard Thompson says "I'd rather have the pain of being deceived, than the guilt of the deceiver". That is what this song is about. It's also about an occasion when the car radio seemed to keep joining in a similar conversation with some horribly ironic comments.

 

You say Hi and you kiss me and you’re just the same

But soon you’re going to know that something’s changed

I’ve got to find a way to say goodbye

But I’ve heard goodbye, I've felt the hurting start

Known the frozen anguish of a broken heart

And I promised I would never make you cry

And the radio plays “No not my baby”

That really won't do

Oh what can I do?

I tried my best to love you

 

And now you’re telling me all your news

You say this week I’ve really had the blues

But I feel OK now I’m with you

And I sit and sigh and try again

To find a way to shield you from the pain

But I have to tell you I’ve found someone new

And the radio plays “Have I told you lately”

And you say “This one’s for you”

Oh what can I do?

I tried my best to love you.

 

I’ve told you now that we have to end.

You smile and say that we can still be friends

And we both knew this was never meant to be.

Then you turn away and I see you try

To hide the tear shining in your eye

And you whisper, "Now there’s no-one there for me”

And the radio plays “hearts that are broken

And love that’s untrue”

Oh what can I do?

I tried my best to love you.

 

You ask if she’s the one for me

I say yes I’m sure as I could ever be

And you tell me that you’re glad I’m happy now

That you always knew that I would find someone

I should just remember that we had fun

But you’re always going to love me anyhow

And the radio plays “Will you still love me?”

I used to sing that too.

Oh what can I do?

I tried my best to love you