After a brief spell in the US Army, Vinton was signed to Epic Records in 1960 as a bandleader: "A Young Man With a Big Band." Two albums and several singles were not successful however, and with Epic ready to pull the plug, Vinton found his first hit single literally sitting in a reject pile. The song was titled "Roses Are Red (My Love)." It spent four weeks at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Arguably, his most famous song is 1963's "Blue Velvet" that also went to No.1. 23 years later, David Lynch named his movie Blue Velvet after the song. In 1964, Vinton had two #1 hits, "There! I've Said It Again" and "Mr. Lonely", the latter now being the basis for Akon's hit "Lonely."
In the 1970s, the "Polish Prince" continued to hit the Top 40, notably with "Ev'ry Day of My Life" and "Sealed With a Kiss" in 1972. That same year, Epic Records decided to end its relationship with Vinton and ended his recording contract. Undeterred, Vinton spent $50,000 of his own money on a self-written song sung partially in Polish: "My Melody of Love." After Vinton was turned down by 7 major labels, ABC Records bought Vinton's idea, and the result was a multi-million selling single that hit #1 on the AC charts in 1974. A gold album, Melodies of Love, followed as well as a successful half-hour variety show "The Bobby Vinton Show" (which aired from 1975 to 1978). He also starred in two John Wayne movies: Big Jake and The Train Robbers.
In the course of his career, Vinton has sold over 75 million records (singles, albums, compilation inclusions, etc) and is still performing on tour and at the Bobby Vinton Blue Velvet Theatre in Branson, Missouri.
Clinging Vine
Bobby Vinton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cling to me, clinging vine
Just to me, clinging vine
How I wish those arms
You're clinging to were mine
Please come back and cling to me
Clinging vine
That you're clinging to someone new
Don't you know he'll never love you
Like I do (like I do)
Please come back and cling to me
Clinging vine
[Repeat chorus 2x]
Please come back and cling to me
Clinging vine
The lyrics to Bobby Vinton's song Clinging Vine can be interpreted as a plea from a former lover to their ex-partner. The singer expresses their disbelief that their relationship is over, and that their ex has found someone new to cling to. The singer suggests that their ex's new partner will never love them as the singer does. The singer urges their ex to return and cling to them once again, in the hope of rekindling their past relationship.
The song also seems to be a reflection of how the singer feels powerless in the face of their ex's decision to leave them. The term 'clinging vine' is used to describe their ex, suggesting a sense of dependency and vulnerability to the new partner. The singer, in contrast, sees themselves as a rock-solid presence that their ex can rely on.
Overall, the lyrics to Bobby Vinton's Clinging Vine showcase the pain and longing that often accompanies a broken relationship. The singer puts forward a plea for reconciliation, expressing their desire to be reunited with their former lover.
Line by Line Meaning
Cling to me, clinging vine
Hold on to me tightly and don't let go, my clingy partner
Just to me, clinging vine
Stay loyal and dedicated to me, my dependent partner
How I wish those arms
I long for the embrace of the person you love
You're clinging to were mine
I wish you were holding on to me instead
Please come back and cling to me
I want you to return to me and hold on tight
I can't believe that we're through
I am in disbelief that our relationship is over
That you're clinging to someone new
I am hurt that you have found someone else to depend on
Don't you know he'll never love you
You should realize that he will never love you like I did
Like I do (like I do)
I loved you deeply and strongly, more than anyone else ever will
Please come back and cling to me
I need you to return to me and hold on tightly to our relationship
Clinging vine
You are so dependent on me, like a vine clinging to a tree
Contributed by Ethan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@dodiho65
I was a high school DJ at a local radio station in Central Texas in '63 and '64-this song was so damn popular with all of the kids...I love it's simplicity and melody-I was later able to meet Bobby in Branson and complimented him on this great song-he asked his manager to take a foto of us and autographed it and mailed it to me...what a guy!
@isabellelevy-banchereau3271
Merci pour ce partage
Bobby Vinton est vraiment un très grand chanteur
Quel plaisir de l'entendre
Chanteur americain peu connu en France mais incontournable
@turtlecreekchick
thanks for all the Bobby Vinton songs, I love them all
@turtlecreekchick
thank you so much sharing all of bobby's music with us, I love him
@lunchmind
oh man, this rocks!
@lateforbreakfast
Your taste in music TheLimePopsicle is impecable. Great country style from BV.
@deejay6852
Great little tune!! Thanks!!
@db2664
Also recorded by Dean Martin on his "The Door Is Still Open (To My Heart)" album in the Fall of 1964. It may also have been released as a 'b' side to one of his singles.
@louisabraham4590
Yeeee ha
@TheLimePopsicle
@lateforbreakfast Thank you very much, I really appreciate it! I would like to extend the same compliment to you! Watch for more Bobby Vinton tracks, including more hard to find and seldom-heard b-sides (and lesser-heard a-sides like this one).