According to Head, he wrote the song about fallen heroes. He re-released the song in 1995 on the album When You’re in Love, and he wrote the following comment in the liner notes:
“Say It Ain’t So, Joe” was provoked by a seventies documentary on Richard Nixon prior to his resignation. The presenter...
Say it ain't so, Joe please
Say it ain't so
That's not what I want to hear Joe and I've got a right to know
Say it ain't so, Joe please
Say it ain't so
I'm sure they're telling us lies Joe please tell us it ain't so
They told us that our hero has played his trump card
He doesn't know how to go on
We're clinging to his charm and determined smile
But the good old days are gone
The image and the empire may be falling apart
The money has gotten scarce
One man's word held the country together
But the truth is getting fierce
Say it ain't so, Joe please
Say it ain't so
We pinned our hopes on you Joe and they're ruining our show
(Ooo Babies)
Don't you think we're gonna get burned
(Ooo Babies)
Don't you think we're gonna get burned
We're gonna get turned
We're gonna get learned
Cause we're gonna get turned
We're gonna get burned
We're gonna get learned
Yes, we're gonna get burned
We're gonna get turned
We're gonna get learned
Yes, we're gonna get turned
We're gonna get learned
Say it ain't so, Joe please
Say it ain't so
That's not what I want to hear Joe and I've got a right to know
Say it ain't so, Joe please
Say it ain't so
I'm sure they're telling us lies Joe please tell us it ain't so
They told us that our are hero has played his trump card
He doesn't know how to go on
We're clinging to his charm and determined smile
But the good old days are gone
Say it ain't so, Joe please
Say it ain't so
We pinned our hopes on you Joe and they're ruining our show
The image and the empire may be falling apart
The money had gotten scarce
One man's word held the country together
But the truth is getting fierce
Say it ain't so, Joe please
Say it ain't so
That's not what I want to hear Joe and I've got a right to know
Say it ain't so, Joe please
Say it ain't so
I'm sure they're telling us lies Joe please tell us it ain't so
Oooooo
That's not what I want to hear Joe and I've got a right to know
Say it Ain’t So, Joe was written by Murray Head.
Say it Ain’t So, Joe was produced by Paul Samwell-Smith.
Murray Head released Say it Ain’t So, Joe on Wed Jan 01 1975.
Yes! On February 25, 2015, interpreted the song live at C à vous.