In 1961 she participated in BBC TV's A Song for Europe Contest, the UK qualifying heat for the Eurovision Song Contest. Her entry, "I Will Light a Candle" was placed fourth. Lale Andersen, who recorded the original German version of "Lili Marleen" also entered the 1961 Eurovision Song Contest, although her song only made it to #13. Anne made another attempt at Eurovision in 1963 with "My Continental Love" - and came fourth again.
She also sang and acted in several motion pictures.
In 1990 she was awarded the OBE for her work with the "Not Forgotten Association", a charitable organization for disabled former service personnel from all wars. Anne Shelton died in Hurstmonceux, England in 1994 and was interred in the Brenchley Gardens cemetery in South East London.
St Louis Blues
Anne Shelton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hate to see that evening sun go down
Cause my baby, he's gone left this town
Feelin' tomorrow like I feel today
If I'm feelin' tomorrow like I feel today
I'll pack my truck and make my give-a-way
Pulls that man around by her, if it wasn't for her and her
That man I love would have gone nowhere, nowhere
I got the St. Louis blues, blues as I can be
That man's got a heart like a rock cast in the sea
Or else he wouldn't have gone so far from me
I love my baby like a school boy loves his pie
Like a Kentucky colonel loves his mint 'n rye
I love my man till the day I die
The song "St Louis Blues" by Anne Shelton was written by W. C. Handy in 1914 and has since become a timeless classic. The lyrics describe the pain of separation after a lover has departed from a town, referencing the evening sunset and the feeling of despair that follows. The singer laments that their lover has left them, leaving them no choice but to move on and leave the town as well ("If I'm feeling tomorrow like I feel today, I'll pack my truck and make my give-a-way").
The singer also mentions a woman in St. Louis who has a hold on their lover, pulling him around with her diamond ring. Without this woman, the singer's lover would not have left their town. The singer is filled with the St. Louis Blues, feeling as blue as one could be. They describe their lover as having a heart as cold as a rock cast in the sea, but still profess their undying love for them ("I love my man till the day I die").
Overall, the song portrays the sadness of heartbreak and the power that another person can hold over one's life. The lyrics evoke a strong sense of longing and despair, while also highlighting the persistence of love despite difficult circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
I hate to see that evening sun go down
I don't want the day to end
Cause my baby, he's gone left this town
Because my lover has left and I'm sad
Feelin' tomorrow like I feel today
Expecting to feel the same way tomorrow as I do now
I'll pack my truck and make my give-a-way
I'll leave and start anew somewhere else
St. Louis woman with her diamond ring
There's a woman in St. Louis who has a lot of wealth
Pulls that man around by her, if it wasn't for her and her
She's controlling the man I love
That man I love would have gone nowhere, nowhere
If it weren't for her, he wouldn't be successful
I got the St. Louis blues, blues as I can be
I'm deeply saddened and heartbroken
That man's got a heart like a rock cast in the sea
My lover has a hard heart and doesn't care for me
Or else he wouldn't have gone so far from me
If he cared, he wouldn't have left me
I love my baby like a school boy loves his pie
I love my lover deeply and passionately
Like a Kentucky colonel loves his mint 'n rye
My love is strong and steadfast
I love my man till the day I die
I will always love him, even until death
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: William Christopher Handy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind