Cross released his debut album, 'Christopher Cross', in 1979, and it garnered him five Grammy Awards. He's the only artist in history to receive all of the "Big Four" Grammy Awards (for 'Best Record', 'Best Song', 'Best Album', and 'Best New Artist') in the same year. Hits from the critically acclaimed album, along with "Sailing" (a number one hit that remained within Billboard's Top 40 for over three months), include "Ride Like the Wind" (which was a #2 hit), "Never Be the Same" (going to #15), and "Say You'll Be Mine" (rising to #20). Critics such as Allmusic's Mike DeGagne have lauded Cross' " crisp and colorful" songwriting and "soothing voice".
Labeled as possibly having 'peaked too early' as time went on, Cross proved the doubters wrong with another number one hit in "Arthur's Theme" (also known as "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)"). A part of the Dudley Moore film 'Arthur', the track, as stated before, won him the Academy Award for Best Song in 1981 alongside co-composers Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager, and Peter Allen. Although his popularity has waxed and waned over the years since his 70s heyday, Cross has earned a reputation as one of the key artists playing what would become known as "yacht rock" alongside contemporaries such as Loggins & Messina.
Poor Shirley
Christopher Cross Lyrics
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She must hide her tears
For nobody wants to see them
Surely it will break her heart
Time passes as she waits for a friend
We'll take all the doubtful ones
in the fight
And make them hold off 'til
the spring
Take hold of their hallowed souls
And save them from pain
All of the pain
Save ourselves from all of the pain
Dearly held are the friends
Left in the years and lost in the war
Dearly held are the loves
Save for the ones you lose on
your own
Stars will light up the lonely nights
Harbor lights
Making us believe in the love
So struck by the hope of
the harmony
Leaving the sorrow
Gently
Poor Shirley
She must hide her tears
For nobody wants to see them
Surely she will win a heart
Time passes as she waits for
the wind
The song begins with empathizing with a woman named Shirley who is going through a tough time and has to hide her tears as nobody wants to see them. It is hinted that Shirley might be going through a heartbreak, and she's waiting for a friend during these trying times. The lyrics point out how painful it can be to keep your emotions bottled up, but sometimes that's the only option one has when nobody is there to comfort them. The following verses talk about taking responsibility for the doubtful ones and making them hold off until spring. The lines "take hold of their hallowed souls and save them from pain, all of the pain," suggest that the song's narrator is trying to empower the doubtful ones and help them survive the pain they are experiencing.
Moving forward, the song talks about how dear are the friends and loves we lose in the years and wars. The following line, "Save for the ones you lose on your own," is a subtle reminder of how painful it can be to lose someone, but we must learn to save ourselves from that pain. The lines "stars will light up the lonely nights, harbor lights," is a metaphorical reference to hope and love that can make one believe in harmony. Finally, the song comes full circle and ends with the sentiment towards Shirley, who is still waiting for a friend as time passes, but this time the lyrics suggest that she will win a heart, and everything will be okay.
Line by Line Meaning
Poor Shirley
Christopher Cross introduces Shirley, who is in a difficult situation and needs support.
She must hide her tears
Shirley is going through a tough time, but she has to keep it together and not show her emotions.
For nobody wants to see them
People around Shirley are not willing to listen or offer any help, which is making the situation worse for her.
Surely it will break her heart
This situation is a significant emotional burden on Shirley, and it's only a matter of time before she breaks down.
Time passes as she waits for a friend
Shirley is relying on the hope that someone will come to her aid and help her through this difficult time.
We'll take all the doubtful ones in the fight
Christopher Cross is offering support to those who are doubtful and scared and suffering emotionally.
And make them hold off 'til the spring
The singer promises to help these people keep going and hope for a better future while enduring the hardships of the present.
Take hold of their hallowed souls
Christopher Cross tries to give these people hope for their future, and to save them from the troubles affecting them emotionally.
And save them from pain
He wants to save them from their troubles, which are causing them immense emotional pain.
All of the pain
The singer always hopes that everyone suffering can end their pain.
Save ourselves from all of the pain
He also hopes that everyone can find a way to save themselves from the pain that is consuming them.
Dearly held are the friends
Christopher Cross cares deeply about his friends, and they are a vital part of his life.
Left in the years and lost in the war
Some of his friends have gone missing, and he has not heard from them in a long time, which makes him feel reclusive.
Dearly held are the loves
The singer holds his past love relationships dear to his heart, and they are still an important aspect of his life.
Save for the ones you lose on your own
He realizes that sometimes people lose their loved ones due to various life events, but some things they can't understand.
Stars will light up the lonely nights
Christopher Cross believes that stars can bring comfort and hope to those who feel lonely or lost in life.
Harbor lights
He hopes that people can find hope and comfort in little things in their lives like harbour lights.
Making us believe in the love
These little things give hope and are believed to provide love to those who are feeling lost or lonely.
So struck by the hope of the harmony
Christopher Cross has faith in the harmony of life and hopes that everyone finds harmony in their lives.
Leaving the sorrow gently
The singer hopes that people can leave their sorrows and painful experiences behind gently, and find peace at the end of a storm.
Surely she will win a heart
Christopher Cross ends the song by offering his support to Shirley and hopeful about her winning her battles.
Time passes as she waits for the wind
He hopes that Shirley overcomes her emotions and finds her peace when time passes, and the winds of change start to blow.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRISTOPHER C. CROSS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind