Crispian St. Peters (5 April 1939 – 8 June 2010) was an English pop singer … Read Full Bio ↴Crispian St. Peters (5 April 1939 – 8 June 2010) was an English pop singer and singer/songwriter best known for his work in the 1960s, particularly his 1966 hits, "The Pied Piper" and "You Were On My Mind".

Early career
He was born Robin Peter Smith in Swanley, Kent and attended Swanley Secondary Modern School. He learned guitar, and left school in 1954 to become an assistant cinema projectionist. In 1956, he gave his first live performance, as a member of The Hard Travellers. Through the late 1950s and early 1960s, he was a member of The Country Gentlemen, Beat Formula Three, and Peter & The Wolves. In 1964, as a member of Peter & The Wolves, St. Peters made his first commercial recording.

Decca label
St. Peters was signed to Decca Records in 1965. His first two singles on this record label, "Invecto Show" and "At This Moment", proved unsuccessful on the charts. He made two television appearances in England in February of that year, featuring in the shows Scene At 6.30 and Ready Steady Go!

In 1966, St. Peters' career finally yielded a Top 10 hit in the UK Singles Chart, when "You Were On My Mind" entered the listing, eventually hitting #2. The single was then released in the U.S. on the Philadelphia-based Jamie label, but it did not chart at first. However, his fourth release, "The Pied Piper", became forever known as his signature song, reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, and #5 in the UK. No subsequent release would ever match the success of "The Pied Piper", although the latter's success helped boost "You Were On My Mind" into the U.S. Top 40.

In 1967, St. Peters released his first LP, Follow Me, which was followed by his first EP, Almost Persuaded. But by 1970, he was dropped by Decca.

Square label
Later in 1970, he was signed to Square Records. Under this new record deal, St. Peters released a second LP, Simply, that year. Later still they released his first cassette, The Gospel Tape, in 1986, and a second cassette, New Tracks on Old Lines in 1990. His third cassette, Night Sessions, Vol. 1 was released in 1993.

Several CDs also came from this record deal, including Follow Me in 1991, The Anthology in 1996, Night Sessions, Vol. 1 in 1998, The Gospel Tape in 1999, and, finally, Songs From The Attic in 2000.

Personal life
From 1969 to 1974, St. Peters was married to his wife named Collette. The marriage produced a daughter, Samantha, and a son, Lee.

On 1 January 1995, at the age of 56, he suffered a major stroke. His music career was severely weakened by this, and in 2001, he announced his retirement from the music industry. He was hospitalized several times with pneumonia since 2003.

He died on 8 June 2010, after a long illness, at the age of 71.

So Long
Crispian St. Peters Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Mmm
Mmm
So long
So long, baby, so long

I know that you're wanting to know
I can't hold you if you want him
So long

So long, baby, so long

I'll cry
I'll cry, baby, I'll cry
Because I have always been true
Now you want this boy
You take him
So long
So long, baby, goodbye

Mmm
Mmm

I'll try
I'll try, baby, I'll try
Some way I'll forgetting you dear
I hope that you will be happy
So long
So long, baby, goodbye

Mmm
Mmm

So long
So long, baby, so long
If things go wrong
Don't you run back
If you get hurt
You can't blame me
So long
So long, baby, so long

Mmm
Mmm

Overall Meaning

The song "So Long" by Crispian St. Peters is a heartbreaking plea from the singer to his lover who is leaving him for someone else. The verses are filled with raw emotion as he acknowledges his love for her, but also his inability to make her stay. The use of the repeated phrase "So long" serves as a bittersweet goodbye, highlighting the pain of separation while also hinting at a sense of finality. The use of the word "baby" throughout the lyrics adds a touch of tenderness, but also a sense of desperation as the singer tries to hold onto what little remains of their relationship.

The chorus of the song adds an extra layer of sadness as the singer acknowledges that he will cry over their separation, but also promises to try to forget her and wishes her happiness. The final verse is almost a warning to his lover not to come running back to him if things don't work out with the new guy. It's a final farewell, with the singer acknowledging that he can't be blamed for any hurt she may experience in the future.

Overall, "So Long" is a beautifully written and performed song that really captures the feelings of heartbreak and loss that come with the end of a relationship. It's a classic tune that has stood the test of time and remains a beloved example of the power of music to capture and evoke emotion.

Line by Line Meaning

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General vocalization to provide a melodic introduction to the song

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Reiteration of a general vocalization to maintain the introductory melody

So long
Expressing a farewell or departure from a person or situation

So long, baby, so long
Tenderly saying goodbye to a romantic partner or loved one

I know that you're wanting to know
Acknowledging the curiosity of the person the song is directed towards

I can't hold you if you want him
Admitting that the singer cannot compete with another love interest

So long
Reiterating the desire for departure from the situation

So long, baby, so long
Reiterating the tender farewell to the former romantic partner

I'll cry
Expressing emotional vulnerability of being upset and teary-eyed

I'll cry, baby, I'll cry
Reiterating the emotional fragility of the singer

Because I have always been true
Stating that the singer has been loyal and sincere in the relationship

Now you want this boy
Admitting that the love interest is interested in someone else

You take him
Encouraging the love interest to pursue their new romantic interest

So long
Reiterating the desire for departure as a result of the broken relationship

So long, baby, goodbye
Expressing a final farewell to the former romantic partner

I'll try
Acknowledging effort to move on from the broken relationship

I'll try, baby, I'll try
Reiterating the effort to move on from the romantic partner

Some way I'll forgetting you dear
Stating the intention to forget about the romantic relationship

I hope that you will be happy
Wishing happiness on the former romantic partner

So long
Reiterating the desire for departure from the situation

So long, baby, goodbye
Finalizing the farewell to the former romantic partner

So long
Expressing a final farewell to the former romantic partner

So long, baby, so long
Tenderly and finally saying goodbye to the romantic partner

If things go wrong
Warning the former romantic partner of potential negative consequences

Don't you run back
Discouraging the former romantic partner from returning after a break up

If you get hurt
Anticipating that the former romantic partner may potentially get hurt again

You can't blame me
Putting responsibility and blame on the former romantic partner for potential future hurt

So long
Concluding the farewell to the former romantic partner

So long, baby, so long
Finalizing the tender farewell to the romantic partner

Mmm
Closing out the song with a final melody

Mmm
Another final melodic note to close out the song

Contributed by Austin C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Comments from YouTube:

Catioro Forastero del Oeste

3y↑3

This song appears in the 1970s film by Wim Wenders 'kings of the road', an absolute classic!

Otmar Müller

9y↑2

Excellent!

flatop47

Cheers.... Thanks For Looking

Andrea Golcz

11y

Dieser tolle Typ hat in jedem Fall meinen Musikgeschmack geprägt und ich höre ihn heute immer noch sehr gerne.Kann man so herlich bei entspannen und sich wegträumen.