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.
Kelly
Del Shannon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We stay out of sight
When we're in each others arms
We know it isn't right
We are so in love
But he loves you too
How can I tell my best friend
He's told me of your sweet caress
And of your lovely eyes
Just how long can we go on
Telling him all these lies
We are so in love
But he loves you too
How can I tell my best friend
That I'm in love with you
Oh, Kelly, please, please tell me
We gotta find a way
Tell me what can we say
Oh, Kelly
He's coming home tomorrow
He's been gone so long
We could get away tonight
To run would be so wrong
We are so in love
But he loves you too
How can I tell my best friend
That I'm in love with you
Oh, Kelly, please, please tell me
We gotta find a way
Tell me what can we say
Oh, Kelly
Oh, Kelly
Oh, Kelly
Oh
The lyrics of Del Shannon's song Kelly depict a forbidden love between two people who are engaged in an illicit affair. The two lovers meet each other in secret and keep their relationship hidden from the world. However, they both know that what they're doing is not right, as the man is in love with the woman's best friend, who is also the song's titular character - Kelly. The woman finds herself torn between her love for the man and her loyalty to her best friend, and is unable to decide which path to take.
The song's lyrics are dripping with emotional conflict and tension, as the woman struggles with guilt, shame, and the fear of being caught. She is aware of the consequences of her actions, but her love for the man is too strong to resist. The chorus of the song highlights the agony of her predicament, as she asks Kelly to help her find a way out of this messy situation. The song's somber melody and Shannon's evocative vocals add to the melancholic atmosphere, making it a timeless classic that still resonates with audiences today.
Line by Line Meaning
Kelly and I meet secretly
Kelly and I are secretly in a relationship.
We stay out of sight
We keep our relationship hidden from others.
When we're in each others arms
When we're alone and close to each other.
We know it isn't right
We acknowledge that our relationship is morally wrong.
We are so in love
We have strong feelings of love for each other.
But he loves you too
But my best friend also has feelings for you.
How can I tell my best friend
I'm struggling with the idea of confessing my love to my best friend.
That I'm in love with you
That I have feelings of love for you.
He's told me of your sweet caress
My best friend has told me about your affectionate touch.
And of your lovely eyes
And how attractive he finds your eyes.
Just how long can we go on
We question how much longer we can continue to deceive my best friend.
Telling him all these lies
Lying and not being truthful with him about our relationship.
Oh, Kelly, please, please tell me
I'm pleading with Kelly to help find a solution.
We gotta find a way
We need to find a solution to our problem.
Tell me what can we say
To find the words to fix this situation and not hurt my best friend.
He's coming home tomorrow
My best friend is returning home tomorrow.
He's been gone so long
He has been away for a significant amount of time.
We could get away tonight
We discuss the option of leaving together tonight.
To run would be so wrong
We acknowledge that running away is not a morally right decision.
Oh, Kelly
A plea for Kelly's help and advice.
Oh, Kelly
Repeated plea for Kelly's help.
Oh, Kelly
Repeated plea for Kelly's help.
Oh
An expression of frustration, confusion or desperation.
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEL SHANNON, MARON MCKENZIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bill Law
This song was a MASSIVE hit in my home town Aberdeen, Scotland in the 60's Many of the dancehalls played this song near the end of the night. Remained the most requested song through to 1970. Any teenager from the 60's in Aberdeen would still have fond memories of this song and the people that were brought together by it.
Bill M
"Those were the days" Aberdeen 4 Ever but from Australia
Jim Duggan
Hello from Glenrothes Fife!
bornleader1200
Not only in the 60's Bill, went to many a barn dance oot in rural Aberdeenshire in the 1970's and it was still being played then!
Dee
Bill Law I love it and Iβm 38, grew up loving old music as my dad always had music on. This takes me back to car trips
Harry Hopworthy
One of Del's best songs !! This number has to be one of the very best he recorded.
charge61
Great song brings back nostalgic thoughts.
ADEMIR-DEMAMARINHO SILVA
tenho uns tres cds ,... bela Γ©poca !!! que maravilha ainda curto muito.......
Margaret McGarvey
Love this song. Most under rated singer ever. Pure Genius <3 Sadly missed
Peter Shields
Takes me back 56 years ago when I was 15 loved it ever since