Del Shannon (30 December 1934–8 February 1990) (born Charles Weedon Westove… Read Full Bio ↴Del Shannon (30 December 1934–8 February 1990) (born Charles Weedon Westover in Coopersville, Michigan) was an American rock and roller who launched into fame with the No. 1 hit "Runaway" (1961) which introduced the musitron, an early form of the synthesizer played by "Runaway" co-writer and keyboard player Max Crook.

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.

I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry Over You
Del Shannon Lyrics

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Yeah
I'm gonna sit right down and cry over you
I'm gonna sit right down and cry over you
And if you ever say goodbye
And if you ever even try
I'm gonna sit right down and cry over you

I'm gonna love you more and more every day

I'm gonna love you more and more every day
And if you ever say goodbye
And if you ever even try
I'm gonna sit right down and cry over you

Gonna tell your mama
Tell your papa, too
So they'll know exactly
Just what I'm gonna do

If you ever say goodbye
If you ever even try
I'm gonna sit right down and cry over you

Oh, yeah

Gonna tell your mama
Tell your papa, too
So they'll know exactly
Just what I'm gonna do

If you ever say goodbye
And if you ever even try
I'm gonna sit right down and cry over you

I'm gonna sit right down and cry over you
I'm gonna sit right down and cry over you.

Overall Meaning

The song "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry Over You" by Del Shannon is a heartbreak ballad featuring the emotions of unrequited love. The singer threatens to cry if his love interest ever breaks up with him or even tries to leave him. The opening lines of the song suggest that the singer is already heartbroken and will cry over the woman he loves. In the second verse, he pledges his undying love to her and promises to love her more every day. The chorus repeats the opening lines and the final verse reinforces his commitment to let everyone know how much he loves her by declaring that he will tell her parents what he plans to do if she ever leaves him.

The song is a classic example of a 1960s love ballad, expressing a depth of feeling that was common during the era. The lyrics are simple yet poignant, and the melody is memorable, making it a favorite of many music lovers. The song's focus on the pain of unrequited love is a recurring theme in many songs of the period, and Del Shannon's performance brings out the pathos of the lyrics. The song is a powerful reminder of the strength of love and the agony of heartbreak.

I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry Over YouDel Shannon Lyrics

David Cassells

on Runaway '67 (Fake Live Mono Version)

I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry Over You
Del Shannon Lyrics