Newley had a successful pop music career, with two number one hits in 1960: "Why?" and "Do You Mind?". He won the 1963 Grammy Award for Song of the Year for "What Kind of Fool Am I", but he was also well-known for "Gonna Build a Mountain" and comic novelty songs such as his version of "Strawberry Fair". He wrote songs that others made hits including Goldfinger (the title song of the James Bond movie), and Feeling Good, which became a hit for Nina Simone. With Leslie Bricusse, he wrote the musical Stop the World - I Want to Get Off in which he also performed, earning a nomination for a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. His other musicals included The Roar of the Greasepaint—the Smell of the Crowd (1965) and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971), based on the children's book by Roald Dahl. The play was released in a film version in 1971.
Newley's vocal style has been recognised as a major influence on that of David Bowie. In recognition of his creative skills and body of work, Newley was elected to the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1989.
The shortlived 1960 ATV series "The Strange World of Gurney Slade" in which Newley starred, continues to have a cult following due to its postmodern premise that the Newley character is trapped inside a television programme. Apart from a repeat of one episode on Channel 4 in 1992, it has not been seen in the UK in recent years. The show's theme tune by Max Harris may be better-known today than the series itself.
His last feature role in the cast of EastEnders was to be a regular role, but Newley had to withdraw after a few months when his health began to fail.
The Thrill Is Gone
Anthony Newley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The thrill is gone away
The thrill is gone baby
The thrill is gone away from me
No you done me wrong baby
You'll be sorry some day
The thrill is gone
The thrill is gone baby
The thrill is gone away from me
Oh although I'll still live on baby
But so lonely I'll be
The thrill is gone
The thrill is gone away for good
Oh the thrill is gone baby
Its gone away for good
Someday I know I'll be open arms baby
Just like I know I know I should
I'm free now baby
I'm free from your spell
Free free free free now baby
Baby I'm free from your spell
Now that its all over
All that I can do is wish you well
The thrill is gone
Gone away for good
The thrill is gone baby
The thrill is gone away for good
Oh you done me wrong baby
You'll be sorry some day
The thrill is gone
I'm free from your spell.
Anthony Newley's song "The Thrill Is Gone" is a classic blues ballad that conveys the pain of a broken relationship. The song speaks of a person whose partner has caused them great pain, and as a result, the thrill of being together has vanished. The persona is telling their lover that they've done them wrong, and the excitement they once felt with each other has now disappeared. This reference to the "thrill" being gone is a metaphor indicating the lack of passion, joy, and excitement they once shared in their relationship.
The persona expresses their loneliness, and although they will continue to live on, they will do it in solitude. They acknowledge that they should be open to new relationships, but they hold their guard up, which might make it difficult for anyone to get too close to them. The pain of betrayal is still fresh, and they need time to heal.
In the final lines, the persona speaks of their newfound freedom from their lover's spell. Although it is over between them, the persona has no ill feelings towards their lover and wishes them the best. The song's lyrics show the struggles of a broken heart, but it also expresses strength, resilience, and the desire to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
The thrill is gone
The excitement and passion in our relationship has faded away
The thrill is gone away
The spark and anticipation that we once had is no longer present
The thrill is gone baby
Our romantic connection has lost its intensity and excitement
The thrill is gone away from me
The passion and allure that we shared has disappeared from my life
No you done me wrong baby
Your actions have hurt me deeply and caused this breakdown in our relationship
You'll be sorry some day
You will regret treating me poorly and causing this rift between us
Oh although I'll still live on baby
Despite the loss of our connection, I will continue to live and move forward
But so lonely I'll be
I will miss the companionship and passion we once shared
The thrill is gone away for good
Our relationship has lost its spark and there's no hope of reviving it
Someday I know I'll be open arms baby
In the future, I may be ready to love and be loved again
Just like I know I know I should
I recognize that I deserve to have a fulfilling romantic relationship
I'm free now baby
I am no longer bound by the negative emotions and pain in our relationship
I'm free from your spell
I have broken away from the emotional hold you had over me
Now that its all over
Our relationship has come to an end
All that I can do is wish you well
I am letting go of any negative feelings towards you and hoping for your happiness
Gone away for good
Our romantic connection is permanently over
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LEW BROWN, RAY HENDERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind