David Cassidy and Sue Shifrin’s “Treat Me Like You Used To” Reflects a Complex Chapter in His Life
In 1989, David Cassidy joined Sue Shifrin for a performance of “Treat Me Like You Used To,” a song that remains closely associated with a significant period in both their personal and creative lives. The recording would later appear on the album Didn’t You Used to Be…, released in 1992, offering a glimpse into the musical partnership that existed between the two artists.
The performance carries a sense of warmth and emotional honesty that has continued to resonate over the years. Cassidy, who first rose to international fame as a teen idol in the 1970s, spent much of his career balancing public success with personal challenges. During this chapter of his life, Sue Shifrin was an important presence, both professionally and personally.
Their relationship lasted for many years, leading many to view Shifrin as a stabilizing figure during a period that was often complicated by the pressures surrounding Cassidy’s life and career. Discussions about their marriage have frequently centered on the difficulties created by alcohol and the personal struggles that accompanied it. While opinions have differed regarding the causes of the relationship’s eventual breakdown, there has also been recognition that the full reality of any marriage remains known only to the people who lived it.
What remains clear is that Cassidy and Shifrin shared a meaningful connection that extended beyond the stage. Their collaboration on “Treat Me Like You Used To” captures a moment when their lives and artistic paths were deeply intertwined. The song itself reflects themes of longing, affection, and emotional vulnerability, qualities that are enhanced by the chemistry between the two performers.
In the years following their separation, public discussion often focused on speculation about what went wrong. Yet many reflections on the pair ultimately return to a simpler truth: the music remains the most enduring part of their story. The performance stands as a reminder of two artists working together during an important period of their lives, creating a recording that continues to evoke tenderness, nostalgia, and reflection.
More than three decades later, “Treat Me Like You Used To” remains a memorable snapshot of David Cassidy and Sue Shifrin at a time when music and personal history were inseparably connected.