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 And 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 iconic song "Needles and Pins," the singer is heartbroken after seeing the face of a woman he once loved. He is filled with regret and pain, as he knows he must run away and pray to forget about her. Despite his efforts, he finds that he cannot escape the pain and memories that haunt him. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "needles and pins," which serves as a powerful metaphor for the intense emotional pain that the singer is experiencing.
The lyrics of "Needles and Pins" are filled with raw emotion and vulnerability. The singer acknowledges his mistakes and shortcomings, and he is honest about the intensity of his feelings. He is struggling to process the pain of lost love and to come to terms with the fact that he cannot undo the past. The song captures the desperation and heartbreak that can accompany a failed relationship, and it speaks to the universal experience of love and loss.
Overall, "Needles and Pins" is a powerful song that has resonated with audiences for decades. Its haunting melody and emotional lyrics continue to inspire new generations of music lovers, and it remains a timeless classic in the world of rock and roll.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw her today, I saw her face, it was a face I loved, and I knew
The singer saw someone they loved and knew that trouble was on the horizon.
I had to run away, and get down on my knees and pray that they'd go away
The singer knew they had to leave and beg for a resolution to their problems.
But still they'd begin (uh), needles and pins (uh)
Despite efforts to avoid trouble, the singer is still plagued by pain and discomfort.
Because of all my pride, the tears I gotta hide
The singer is too proud to show their emotions openly.
Hey I thought I was smart, I'd won her heart
The singer believed they had won over the person they loved.
Didn't think I'd do, but now I see
The singer did not anticipate the heartbreak that followed.
She's worse to him than me, let her go ahead
The person the singer loves is treating the singer worse than someone else.
Take his love instead, and one day she will see
The person the singer loves should be with someone else, and will one day realize their mistake.
Just how to say please, and get down on her knees
The person the singer loves needs to learn humility and the art of apologizing.
Why can't I stop and tell myself I'm wrong, I'm wrong, so wrong
The singer is questioning why they can't admit to making mistakes.
Why can't I stand up and tell myself I'm strong
The singer wishes they could be strong enough to resist the pain they are feeling.
Oh needles and pins (uh), needles and pins (uh), needles and pins (uh)
The pain the singer is feeling is sharp and persistent.
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.