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.
Needles & Pins
Del Shannon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I had to run away, and get down on my knees and pray that they'd go away
But still they'd begin (uh), needles and pins (uh)
Because of all my pride, the tears I gotta hide
Hey I thought I was smart, I'd won her heart
Didn't think I'd do, but now I see
She's worse to him than me, let her go ahead
Just how to say please, and get down on her knees
Hey that's how it begins (uh), she'll feel those needles and pins
A-hurtin' her, a-hurtin' her
Why can't I stop and tell myself I'm wrong, I'm wrong, so wrong
Why can't I stand up and tell myself I'm strong
Because I saw her today, I saw her face, it was a face I loved, and I knew
I had to run away, and get down on my knees and pray that they'd go away
But still they'd begin (uh), needles and pins (uh)
Because of all my pride, the tears I gotta hide
Oh needles and pins (uh), needles and pins (uh), needles and pins (uh)
In Del Shannon's classic song "Needles & Pins", the lyrics explore the pain and heartbreak of lost love. The singer opens the song by describing his encounter with his former lover. He sees her face and is reminded of the love he once felt for her. However, he knows that he must leave and forget about her. He acknowledges the hurt he feels inside and prays for the pain to go away, yet his pride prevents him from outwardly expressing his emotions. As he reminisces about their past relationship, he realizes that his ex-girlfriend is no longer the person he fell in love with. He admits that she is now causing more pain to her current partner and encourages her to leave him and take his love instead.
Despite the singer's attempts to convince himself that he can move on, he is still haunted by the memories of his lost love. He questions why he can't admit to himself that he was wrong and move on. The repetitive line "needles and pins" serves as a metaphor for emotional pain, as the pain of the relationship continues to prick him like needles and pins.
Overall, "Needles & Pins" is a poignant love song that explores the complicated emotions of heartbreak, pride, and regret.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw her today, I saw her face, it was a face I loved, and I knew
I saw the woman I used to have feelings for today, and as soon as I saw her face, all of my old feelings came rushing back.
I had to run away, and get down on my knees and pray that they'd go away
My emotions got the best of me, and I needed to get away from her in order to avoid acting on them.
But still they'd begin (uh), needles and pins (uh)
Despite my efforts to suppress my feelings, they keep coming back and causing me pain like needles and pins piercing my skin.
Because of all my pride, the tears I gotta hide
I can't let anyone see me cry, even though it hurts me to keep my emotions bottled up inside due to my pride and fear of vulnerability.
Hey I thought I was smart, I'd won her heart
I used to believe I was clever enough to win her love and have a successful relationship with her.
Didn't think I'd do, but now I see
I didn't expect things to turn out the way they did, but I now realize that I was wrong about our relationship.
She's worse to him than me, let her go ahead
She treats him worse than she treated me, so I feel okay about them being together instead of us.
Take his love instead, and one day she will see
He can have her love, because someday she will realize how she hurt me and learn from her mistakes.
Just how to say please, and get down on her knees
She will understand how to ask for forgiveness and be humble.
Hey that's how it begins (uh), she'll feel those needles and pins
The cycle of painful emotions and heartbreak inevitably repeats itself in new relationships she enters.
A-hurtin' her, a-hurtin' her
These experiences will continue to cause her pain and suffering in her relationships.
Why can't I stop and tell myself I'm wrong, I'm wrong, so wrong
I wish I could admit to myself that I made a mistake in pursuing her and that I cannot be with her anymore.
Why can't I stand up and tell myself I'm strong
I wish I had the emotional strength to move on from her and not let her affect me anymore.
Oh needles and pins (uh), needles and pins (uh), needles and pins (uh)
The pain from my emotions feels so physical and intense, like the sharp sensation of needles and pins piercing my skin.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jack Nitzsche, Sonny Bono
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dan Nájera
I love Del Shannon's singing voice. So much angst and sorrow, yet beautiful at the same time. Hard to describe. Must be listened to be believed.
ARosser14
Agree 100%. He's criminally underrated.
James Anderson
Thanks guys, he was my great uncle. What you hear in his voice is at least partially the long running problems in our family with depression, violent abuse and generally dysfunctional family life hidden from the public by the old women of our family that wore the pants for far too long.
Victors videos
Such a tragedy for such a great performer. I still can’t believe that he took his own life 33 year ago. He had everything to live for, so why? Why would he end it, or did he? A rifle was used. Hard to believe. We miss you Del Shannon! R.I.P…💔
Frank M
seen him the first time in the early 80's, the local warm up band was great & still doing great (Rumbles) didn't think that could be topped, BUT when Del came on he blew them away, seen him twice in Nebraska, he was not like some nostalgic act hanging on to a reputation, his singing and music just was simply top of the line awesome!!!
whozis
I love Del Shannon's version. He has a fantastic voice. However, my favorite rendition of this song is by Jackie DeShannon.
theshameofthesun
Such a Great Singer...ACE SONG Del Shannon.....Thank You
sardu55
Sonny Bono, who (ironically) wrote this tune, asked Del to perform it, wanting to hear his falsetto treatment. When Del recorded the song, and didn't use any falsetto, Bono thought it sounded better. It also skips Del's constant musictron background sound. Bono and Shannon, both natives of Michigan, tried to look out for each other while in the business. Bono ended up with a lot more fame and money, Del died in 1990. Bono a bit later after hitting a tree on a ski slope.
Baskerville22
I know who has the greater pop song success - and it isn't Sonny Bono
Oppothumbs M
Del's lights were brighter (Bono needed lights to avoid a tree) and he should be remembered as a great songwriter and voice. Sonny wrote songs in the 50s and his best was Needles and Pins (with Jack Nitzsche's help, one great producer too). Other than Baby Dont Go, I don't love any of his songs. Del had 7 or 8 great ones including I Go to Pieces for Peter and Gordon.