Born in Bloomington, Indiana into a musical family, he began performing as a duo with his brother before going on to a successful solo career in country music. In 1956, Helms made his way to Nashville, Tennessee where he signed a recording contract with Decca Records. The following year would be filled with astonishing successes. Helms' first single in 1957 titled "Fraulein" went to No. 1 on the country music charts and made it into the Top 40 on the pop music charts. Later that same year he released "My Special Angel" that also went to No. 1 on the country charts and entered the Top 10 on Billboard magazines pop music charts, peaking at No. 7.
Released just a few days before Christmas of 1957, his song "Jingle Bell Rock" was a big hit but uniquely, it re-emerged four out of the next five years and sold so well that it repeated each time as a top hit and became a Christmas classic still played to this day.
Bobby Helms continued touring and recording for the next three decades. His pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Helms spent most of his later years living just outside of Martinsville, Indiana, until the time of his death from emphysema and asthma in 1997.
Just A Little Lonesome
Bobby Helms Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Always want to cry a little when I remember you
And though this broken heart you've left me
Don't ache the way it used to do
I'm only just a little lonesome always just a little blue
Always just a little lonesome always just a little blue
Always get that little heartache each time I think of you
But in my heart I know it's true
I'll always be a little lonesome always I'll always be a little blue
The lyrics of Bobby Helms's song "Just a Little Lonesome" tell the story of someone who is struggling to move on from a past relationship. Despite not feeling the same level of heartache they once did, the singer admits that they still feel a lingering sense of loneliness and sadness that they attribute to the memories of their former partner. They believe that regardless of what the future holds, they will always carry a little bit of that pain with them.
The repetition of the phrases "always just a little lonesome" and "always just a little blue" throughout the song creates a sense of constant sadness and longing. The use of the word "just" also implies that the pain is not overwhelming or all-consuming, but still significant enough to affect the singer's daily life.
Overall, "Just a Little Lonesome" is a poignant reflection on the lasting impact of heartbreak and the difficult process of moving on.
Line by Line Meaning
Always just a little lonesome always just a little blue
I always feel a mild sense of loneliness and sadness in my heart.
Always want to cry a little when I remember you
Every time I recall you, I feel the urge to shed a few tears.
And though this broken heart you've left me
Don't ache the way it used to do
My heart is broken because of you, but I have learned to cope with the pain and it doesn't hurt as much as it used to.
I'm only just a little lonesome always just a little blue
My loneliness and sadness are not overwhelming, but they remain present in my life.
Always get that little heartache each time I think of you
Whenever you come to mind, I experience a small pang of emotional pain in my heart.
Somebody else may make me happy
But in my heart I know it's true
I may find happiness with someone else, but deep down inside, I know I'll always miss you.
I'll always be a little lonesome always I'll always be a little blue
No matter what happens, my heart will always carry a certain degree of loneliness and sadness because of you.
Contributed by Blake Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.