Why 10cc's "It Doesn't Matter At All" should have been a hit from 1980

It Doesnt Matter At All is one of the album highlights. A late choice as a second single, it died a death which is a great shame because while perhaps not as inventive or original as some of the bands best biggest hits it features one of their loveliest melodies. A sort of Im Not In Love from the other perspective, this is someone deep in love trying to get his loved one to admit that she is too and that its the rest of the world who should be ignorant of their love. People call the narrator crazy and a fool for being in love, but that doesnt matter at all if she loves him too. The hint is that the narrator is being mocked for being overly-emotional and OTT in admitting his feelings (in contrast to the in-denial narrator of Love who makes up excuses for his signs of affection) and in the third verse that this might be a one-way uncomfortable relationship, with the narrator a stalker (Hey Ive been talked about the way Ive been following you but I dont give a damn when it feels so right!) Eric Stewart proves again that hes one of the best pop singers of the day with a great vocal full of love and honey, the arrangement is subtle (with OMalleys muted, mournful sounding synthesizer part particularly spot-on) and there are more hooks in this one song than on the rest of the album. Of course, weve heard this sort of song lots of times before over the years and there isnt the usual 10cc intellectual twist going on here but arguably this song sounds better for not having one, adding a touch of emotion to an album that badly needs it. Lyrically, too, this is nothing special but it does its job and theres a particularly strong second verse where the narrator says thinking without feeling is simply stupid (Youre living in a world where reason is a waste of time, nobody talking, the atmosphere cold!) A likable song whatever the narrators motives really are this songs quiet, humble melody and appealing sounds should have made the song a much bigger hit than it was. Sadly its the only song from this whole album to be re-issued as part of the bands Tenology box set in 2012 although at least its one of the best things here.