Only the Lonely
Chris Isaak Lyrics


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Only the lonely
Know the way I feel tonight
Only the lonely
Know this feeling ain't right

There goes my baby
There goes my heart
They're gone forever
So far apart

But only the lonely
Know why I cry
Only the lonely
Only the lonely

Only the lonely
Know the heartaches I've been through
Only the lonely
Know I've cried and cried for you

Maybe tomorrow
A new romance
No more sorrow
But that's the chance
You've gotta take

If your lonely heart breaks
Only the lonely




Only the lonely
Only the lonely

Overall Meaning

In Chris Isaak's song "Only the Lonely," he talks about feeling lonely and heartbroken after losing his lover. The first verse talks about how only those who have experienced the feeling of loneliness can truly understand what it feels like. The second verse sees the singer reminiscing about his lost love, acknowledging that they are gone and admitting that his heart is broken. The chorus emphasizes that only those who have truly experienced loneliness can understand the pain and heartache that the singer is going through.


The final verse talks about the hope of finding love again, although it is tinged with the realization that there is always the possibility of heartbreak. The singer is aware that he must take a chance if he wants to find love again despite the possibility of pain. However, he also knows that only those who have experienced the same heartbreak will truly understand what he is going through. Overall, the song captures the universal feeling of loneliness and the pain that follows when someone we love is no longer there, and the hope of finding love again.


Line by Line Meaning

Only the lonely
The feeling of loneliness is experienced only by those who are truly alone


Know the way I feel tonight
They understand and empathize with my feelings at this moment


Know this feeling ain't right
They realize that this emotion of loneliness is not normal or okay


There goes my baby
The person I loved and cared for is leaving me


There goes my heart
My heart, my source of emotion and affection, is leaving me with my loved one


They're gone forever
My loved one and my heart may never return or be the same again


So far apart
Our emotional distance is great, and I don't know how to recover from this


Know why I cry
Only those who are lonely understand the reason behind my tears


Know the heartaches I've been through
Being alone is the only way to understand the pain I have experienced


Know I've cried and cried for you
Only the lonely know the extent of my emotional pain and how I have suffered for this person


Maybe tomorrow
Perhaps and hopefully tomorrow things will be better and a new start is possible


A new romance
A new relationship with someone else is a possibility, which may bring me happiness


No more sorrow
The pain of my broken heart may be over


But that's the chance
Taking risks and trying new things is the only way to heal from heartache


You've gotta take
It is essential to be open to new experiences


If your lonely heart breaks
If you find yourself alone and heartbroken


Only the lonely
The experience of being alone is something only felt by those who are truly lonely


Only the lonely
Once again, only those who are truly alone can understand


Only the lonely
No one else can truly empathize with this experience of being alone




Lyrics © Roy Orbison Music Company, Barbara Orbison Music Company, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Joe Melson, Roy Orbison

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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