Shannon followed up with "Hats Off to Larry", another big hit, and the less popular "So Long, Baby", another song of breakup bitterness. "Little Town Flirt", released in 1962 reached #12 in 1963 as did the album of the same name. After these hits, Shannon was unable to keep his momentum in the US, but became a sensation in England. In 1963, he became the first American artist to record a cover version of a Beatles song with "From Me to You".
Shannon returned to the charts in 1964 with "Handy Man", "Do You Wanna Dance", "Keep Searchin'", and "Stranger in Town" (1965), with the latter two songs themed about flight from pursuit in a dangerous world. A 1966 chart offering was Shannon's cover of the Rolling Stones' "Under My Thumb". In the late 1960s after a dry spell of hits, he turned to production. In 1969 he discovered a group called Smith and arranged their hit "Baby It's You". He then produced his friend Brian Hyland's million seller "Gypsy Woman" in 1970.
In the 1970s, Shannon's career slowed down greatly; the hates and fears he had turned into art in his earlier songs were turning into full-blown mental illness, and he was self-medicating with alcohol. He finally put the bottle down in 1978, and he was able to return to mainstream audiences with "Sea of Love" in the early 1980s from the album "Drop Down And Get Me" produced by Tom Petty.
In December, 1983, Shannon served as Grand Marshal of the Coopersville, Michigan Christmas parade and also performed a benefit concert at Coopersville High School.
Shannon enjoyed a resurgence in audience interest after re-recording a portion of his song "Runaway" (with new lyrics) as the theme for the television program Crime Story. Producer Michael Mann felt that this was one of the definitive songs of the era in which the program was set. Some fans of the show prefer the sharper lyrics ("Some live, and others die") as an alternate to the original words.
On 8 February 1990, while working on a comeback album with Jeff Lynne of Electric Light Orchestra, Shannon fatally shot himself in the head with a .22 calibre rifle. His wife thought his death might have been related to his recent use of the prescription drug Prozac. The album was released after his death and titled "Rock On!".
Shannon is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and his pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Day Dreams
Del Shannon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But it's only, only a daydream that I dream.
They say we're through,
It must be so, but I'm still thinking of you.
But it's only, only a daydream that I dream of you.
It was only yesterday, you were in love with me,
Now alone am I to dream, dreaming of only you.
But it's only, only a daydream.
Oh it's only , only a daydream that I dream of you.
The lyrics of Del Shannon's song Day Dreams describe the internal struggle of someone who is heartbroken and unable to let go of a past love. The singer of the song is sitting alone and in tears, haunted by shadowy images of their former lover. Although they have been told that the relationship is over, they are unable to stop thinking about their ex. The singer is left feeling desperately lonely and unable to control their emotions, making memories of their lost love.
The theme of this song is universal; it speaks to anyone who has experienced heartbreak or unrequited love. The lyrics paint a picture of a person who is struggling to come to terms with the end of their relationship, but they are unable to move on. It's clear that the memories of their former partner are playing on a loop in their head and they cannot shake the feelings of sadness and loneliness.
Overall, Day Dreams is a poignant and relatable song that captures the raw emotions of heartbreak. It speaks to the universal experience of love and loss, and the pain of letting go of someone who has been such an important part of your life.
Line by Line Meaning
I sit here all alone, tears in my eyes, seeing shadows of you
I am alone and crying while I imagine an apparition of you before my eyes.
But it's only, only a daydream that I dream.
These moments are mere figments of my imagination.
They say we're through,
Others claim we have ended our relationship.
It must be so, but I'm still thinking of you.
Despite this supposed break-up, I still cannot get you out of my mind.
It was only yesterday, you were in love with me,
Recently you professed your love for me.
Now alone am I to dream, dreaming of only you.
Now I am alone and can only conjure thoughts of you.
I'm so lonely can't fight these tears making memories of you.
I am unbearably lonely and cannot prevent myself from recalling our shared memories.
Oh it's only , only a daydream that I dream of you.
Again, I must reiterate that these visions are purely products of my imagination.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEL SHANNON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
AdiShakti's Radiance
I sit here all alone, tears in my eyes, seeing shadows of you,
But it's only, only a daydream that I dream.
They say we're through,
It must be so, but I'm still thinking of you.
But it's only, only a daydream that I dream of you.
It was only yesterday, you were in love with me,
Now alone am I to dream, dreaming of only you.
I'm so lonely can't fight these tears making memories of you.
But it's only, only a daydream.
Oh it's only, only a daydream that I dream of you.
Denon1970
One of the bigger Singer all Time. Regards from Spain
John Benn
WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From a mad keen 76yo Aussie fan.