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.
Go Away Little Girl
Del Shannon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wish you wouldn't stay (little girl)
Won't you go away (little girl)
Wooo ooo go away.
Go away little girl
Go away little girl
I'm not supposed to be alone with you
But our lips must never meet
I belong to somebody else and I must be true.
Please go away little girl
Go away little girl
It's hurting me more each minute that you delay
When you are near me like this
You're much too hard to resist
So go away little girl before I beg you to stay.
Won't you go away (little girl)
Wish you wouldn't stay (little girl)
Won't you go away (little girl)
Wooo ooo go away.
Go away little girl
Go away little girl
It's hurting me more each minute that you delay
When you are near me like this
You're much too hard to resist
So go away little girl
Call it a day little girl
Please go away little girl before I beg you to stay.
Won't you go away (little girl)
Wish you wouldn't stay (little girl)
Won't you go away (little girl)
Please go away.
Del Shannon's song "Go Away Little Girl" shares the conflicted emotions of a man who is struggling to resist the temptation of a younger girl. The lyrics depict his desire for her to leave him alone even though he cannot help but be drawn to her. The repetition of the phrases "go away little girl" and "please go away little girl" highlights his conflicting emotions. The man acknowledges the young girl's physical appeal, recognizing the sweetness of her lips but he also knows that pursuing her would be unfaithful to his current relationship.
The lyrics showcase themes of temptation, struggle and fidelity. His sense of loyalty and commitment to his current relationship is in conflict with his desires. Although he finds the girl hard to resist, he acknowledges that it is his responsibility to ensure that their relationship does not lead to an inappropriate romantic encounter.
The "Go Away Little Girl" song became popular in the 1960s and was covered by many artists, including the likes of Donny Osmond and Steve Lawrence. It held a successful chart position for several weeks and won awards for the unforgettable melody and Shannon's vocal performance. This masterpiece has stood the test of time, remaining a classic of its era, and resonates with diverse generations till date.
Line by Line Meaning
Won't you go away (little girl)
I wish you would leave me alone, don't stay near me.
Wish you wouldn't stay (little girl)
I don't want to be alone with you, I want you to go away.
Won't you go away (little girl)
Please leave, I don't want you here with me.
Wooo ooo go away.
I want you to leave me alone, please go away.
Go away little girl
Please leave me alone, I'm not supposed to be with you.
Go away little girl
I can't be with you, I belong to someone else.
I'm not supposed to be alone with you
I can't be near you, it's not right for me to be alone with you.
Oh yes I know that your lips are sweet
I'm aware that you're attractive, but I can't act on it.
But our lips must never meet
We can't kiss, it's not allowed.
I belong to somebody else and I must be true.
I have someone in my life and I need to stay committed to them.
Please go away little girl
It's hard for me to resist you, please leave before it gets worse.
It's hurting me more each minute that you delay
It's painful for me to be near you, I want you to go away.
When you are near me like this
Being close to you is tempting and difficult for me...
You're much too hard to resist
...Because I'm strongly attracted to you.
So go away little girl before I beg you to stay.
I want you to leave before I lose control and ask you to stay with me.
Call it a day little girl
We need to end this now, it's not right for us to continue.
Please go away little girl before I beg you to stay.
I'm afraid of what might happen if you stay, so please leave before I do something I'll regret.
Won't you go away (little girl)
I'm still asking you to leave, please go away.
Wish you wouldn't stay (little girl)
I don't want you with me, I want you to go away.
Won't you go away (little girl)
It would be best if you left me alone, please go away.
Please go away.
I'm begging you to go, please leave me alone.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Gerry Goffin, Carole King
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@charlenelarosa3311
beautiful
@reneedimitros2821
Love you!! xo Renee from EP NJ
@cristiamholguin3059
Im agree for me Is the best versión of this song, of corsé I love the obter one Wien Donny was tren.
@danielrussell446
Mark wynter did a nice version here in the UK
@danielrussell446
A great version by Del and always liked it but my favourite is Mark Wynter’s version here in the UK but not much in it!
@Mr_Lupine
Far better than Steve Lawrences version, a better timbre to Del's voice !
@skilz8098
Try The Lettermans and The Happenings versions.
@tromette
best version of the song, Del far away better than others
@60andhappy
Nope, sorry, Steve Lawrence!
@danielrussell446
@@tromette no mark wynter is