This song, dedicated to guitarist Roy Buchanan, was composed by longtime friend Stevie Wonder as an apology to Jeff for releasing "Superstition" first. This is what Beck is referring to in the liner notes on the back of the album when he says, "thanks to Stevie."
"Cause We've Ended as Lovers" is from the Jeff Beck album Blow by Blow that was released on 29 March 1975.
Blow by Blow is the first solo album by British guitarist Jeff Beck, released on Epic Records in 1975, and recorded in October 1974. A purely instrumental album, it peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum by the RIAA.
After the dissolution of the power trio Beck, Bogert & Appice (BBA) in spring 1974, Beck took time for session work with other groups. In December, a half-hearted "audition" for The Rolling Stones took place, Beck jamming blues with the band for one day, before realising their musical styles were not compatible.
During this period, Beck decided to record an all-instrumental album, bringing back keyboardist Max Middleton from the second Jeff Beck Group. He hired George Martin to produce after hearing his work with the Mahavishnu Orchestra's 1974 album Apocalypse. According to Carmine Appice, who played with Beck in BBA, he was involved in the writing and recording process of Blow by Blow but his parts were edited out after a dispute with Beck's management. The fourth key contributor to Blow by Blow after Beck, Middleton, and Martin was Stevie Wonder, who gave Beck his songs "Cause We've Ended as Lovers" and "Thelonius", with Wonder playing clavinet on the latter uncredited.
Lyrics
Sneaking kisses in the hall
Parting love notes are on the wall
Been each other's all and all each day
Lovers walking in the rain
So close we felt each other's pain
But now you say that love has died away
'Cause we've ended now as lovers
Doesn't mean that we each other can't be friends
'Cause we've ended now as lovers
Does our love for one another have to end
I remember teaching you
On piano 'Tea for Two'
And how playing it wrong I kissed your hand
But when our love has gone and passed
Why does the good exceed the bad
Well that's one thing I'll never understand
'Cause I remember us at class
You were always the one to pass
And gave me answers right to see me through
But that was more than years ago
And who will love me I don't know
It's sad for sure but true it won't be you
