Medley met his singing partner Bobby Hatfield while attending California State University, Long Beach. The pair began singing as a duo in 1962. Their first single was "Little Latin Lupe Lu"; their first hit was "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'", produced by Phil Spector in 1964. Follow-up hits included "(You're My) Soul and Inspiration" and "Unchained Melody".
The duo broke up in 1968, but returned with another hit in 1974, "Rock And Roll Heaven", and they continued to appear together until Hatfield's death in November 2003. The Righteous Brothers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March 2003 by one of their biggest fans, Billy Joel.
Medley also had a moderately successful solo career. In 1987 his duet with Jennifer Warnes, "(I've Had) The Time of My Life", was included on the Dirty Dancing motion picture soundtrack album and the single reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also won a 1988 Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Lonely Avenue
Bill Medley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But the sun don't ever shine through
And I've been so sad and lonely
Since I broke off, baby, with you
I live on a lonely avenue
Since you said that we were through
I feel so sad and lonely
I could cry or I could die
I live on a lonely avenue
Yes I do, lonely avenue
Well, my pillow is made of lead
And my cover is made of stone
And I toss and turn every night
I'm not used to being alone
I live on a lonely avenue
Since you said that we were through
And I feel so sad and lonely
And it's all because of you, baby
I could cry, yeah, I could die
I live on a lonely avenue
Don't you know children it's a lonely avenue
Play your guitar
Oh children, this is a lonely avenue
Well, my pillow is made of lead
And my cover is made of stone
But I toss and turn every night
I'm not used to being alone
I live on a lonely avenue
Since you said that we were through
And I feel so sad and lonely
And it's all because of you
I could cry or I could die
Oh, I live on a lonely avenue
Lord, ain't this a lonely avenue
Well, well, it's a lonely avenue, tell him now
I live on a lonely avenue
The lyrics to Bill Medley's Lonely Avenue tell the story of a heartbroken man who is struggling to cope with his loneliness. He describes his physical surroundings, with two windows that never let the sun in and a bed that feels heavy and cold. His emotional state is also bleak as he reflects on the end of his relationship, which has left him feeling "so sad and lonely". Despite his efforts to distract himself, he can't escape the pain of his lost love and confesses that he "could cry or [he] could die".
The repetition of the phrase "I live on a lonely avenue" reinforces the sense of isolation and despair that the singer is experiencing. The use of the word "avenue" suggests a long and winding road, which may symbolize the difficult journey he is on. The line "play your guitar" towards the end of the song could be interpreted as a plea for comfort and company, as if the singer is hoping that someone will come and play music with him to ease his loneliness.
Overall, the lyrics to Lonely Avenue are a poignant expression of heartbreak and the struggle to move on from a lost love.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, my room has got two windows
Although my living space has two windows, the sun doesn't appear to shine through any of them.
But the sun don't ever shine through
The sun never reaches my room despite having windows that should allow it to come in.
And I've been so sad and lonely
I have been deeply unhappy and completely alone.
Since I broke off, baby, with you
My state of solitude began when I parted ways with you, my dear.
I live on a lonely avenue
My current state of living is isolated and forlorn.
Since you said that we were through
My isolation started when you announced that our relationship was over.
I feel so sad and lonely
I am incredibly glum and feeling almost unbearably alone.
And it's all because of you
The root of my unhappiness and loneliness is you, my darling.
I could cry or I could die
I am so upset and alone that I am overwhelmed to the point of considering crying or even taking my life.
Yes I do, lonely avenue
My address has become synonymous with isolation and despair.
Well, my pillow is made of lead
I experience a weight on my mind and body so intense that it feels like my pillow is comprised of lead.
And my cover is made of stone
Even my bed covers feel dense and unyielding like solid stone.
And I toss and turn every night
My discomfort and lack of sleep due to my isolation cause me to continually shift in bed.
I'm not used to being alone
This level of isolation and separation is unfamiliar to me and is almost unbearable to handle.
Don't you know children it's a lonely avenue
My address is a lonely and miserable place to be, my dear friends.
Oh children, this is a lonely avenue
I cannot emphasize enough to all of you just how sad and solitary this avenue truly is.
Lord, ain't this a lonely avenue
The gravity of my current situation and the level of my isolation is clearly palpable and very sad.
Well, well, it's a lonely avenue, tell him now
I implore you all to truly understand and sympathize with the grief and isolation I'm feeling on this avenue.
I live on a lonely avenue
Once again, I reside in a place that is incredibly forlorn and desolate due to my separation from you, my ex-love.
Contributed by Daniel D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.