His biggest hit was "Unchained Melody" in 1955. Other hits were "He", "11th Hour Melody", "Never Turn Back", and "After the Lights Go Low" (all in 1956). "After the Lights Go Low", sung with a put-on British accent, was his last charted hit.
In the late 1950s and 1960s, Hibbler became a civil rights activist, marching with protestors and getting arrested in 1959 in New Jersey and in 1963 in Alabama. The notoriety of this activism discouraged major record labels from carrying his work, but Frank Sinatra supported him and signed him to a contract with his label, [lable]Reprise Records.
However, Hibbler made very few recordings after that, occasionally doing live appearances through the 1990s. He died in April 2001 in Chicago.
The Party's Over
Al Hibbler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They've burst your pretty balloon
And taken the moon away
It's time to wind up the masquerade
Just make your mind up
The piper must be paid
The party's over, the candles flicker and dim
It seemed to be right just being with him
Now you must wake up, all dreams must end
Take off your makeup, the party's over
It's all over, my friend
The party's over, it's time to call it a day
They've burst your pretty balloon
And taken the moon away
Now you must wake up, all dreams must end
Take off your makeup, the party's over
It's all over, my friend
It's all over, my friend
The lyrics of Al Hibbler's song "The Party's Over" describe the end of a fun-filled event, and how it's time to accept reality and move on. The lines "The party's over, it's time to call it a day" and "It's time to wind up the masquerade" signify that the revelries have come to a close, and it's time to head home. The phrase "They've burst your pretty balloon and taken the moon away" suggests that someone or something has brought an end to the fun, and the dreamy mood of the party has been broken. The lyrics further emphasize that it's now time for the piper (the one who calls the tune) to be paid and for everyone to face the consequences of their actions.
The line "You danced and dreamed through the night, it seemed to be right just being with him" implies that the singer of the song had a great time with someone special. However, the lyrics also stress that all good things must come to an end, and that it is now time to accept reality. The phrase "Take off your makeup, the party's over" can be interpreted in many ways, but it is essentially suggesting that it's time to stop pretending or living in a dream-world and embrace what's real.
Overall, the lyrics of "The Party's Over" convey a sense of finality and closure, urging the listener to accept that it's time to move on from the good times and accept the consequences of their actions. The song has a nostalgic and melancholic tone, combined with a sense of resignation and acceptance that makes it an emotional and powerful piece of music.
Line by Line Meaning
The party's over, it's time to call it a day
The festivities have ended and it is time to bring it to a close.
They've burst your pretty balloon
And taken the moon away
Your hopes and aspirations have been quashed and your happiness has been diminished.
It's time to wind up the masquerade
Just make your mind up
The piper must be paid
It is essential to end the pretense and make a decision, and it is time to pay the consequences.
The candles flicker and dim
You danced and dreamed through the night
It seemed to be right just being with him
The light is fading, and it is time to return to reality after a night of dancing and dreaming that felt perfect with a certain guy.
Now you must wake up, all dreams must end
Take off your makeup, the party's over
It's time to arise from the dream world and face reality, and it's time to take off the mask and stop feigning happiness.
It's all over, my friend
The song draws to a close, and the singer recognizes that it is time to go.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GLADYS HARRIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind