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.
Sea of Love
Del Shannon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the sea, the sea of love
I want to tell you
How much I love you
Do you remember when we met
That's the day I knew you were my pet
I want to tell you
Come with me
To the sea, of love
Do you remember when we met
That's the day I knew you were my pet
I want to tell you
How much I love you
Come with me
To the sea, of love
Do you remember when we met
That's the day I knew you were my pet
I want to tell you
How much I love you
I want to tell you
How much I love you
I want to tell you
How much I love you
The opening lines of Del Shannon's "Sea of Love" invite the listener on a romantic journey with the singer to a sea of love. The repeated phrase "Come with me my love" sets the tone for the entire song, as the singer expresses his yearning to tell his beloved how much he loves her. The sea, which is often used as a symbol for the depths of emotions, represents the depths of love that the singer experiences.
The second verse references the day the singer and his beloved met. He lovingly calls her his "pet," which is a term of endearment often used during the 50s and 60s. The repetition of this verse and the chorus creates a sense of urgency and desire from the singer, as if he cannot contain his love any longer and needs to express it.
Overall, "Sea of Love" is a passionate love song that expresses the singer's deep and abiding love for his beloved. The repetition of phrases and the use of the sea as a metaphor for emotions add depth and meaning to the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Come with me my love
Inviting the person he loves to come with him
To the sea, the sea of love
Going to a place where love is felt the most
I want to tell you
Desire to express feelings
How much I love you
Intensity of love felt for the person
Do you remember when we met
Asking if the person remembers the moment they met
That's the day I knew you were my pet
The moment he realized that the person is special and belongs to him
Come with me
Urging the person to accompany him
To the sea, of love
Going to a place where love is felt the most
I want to tell you
Desire to express feelings
How much I love you
Intensity of love felt for the person
Come with me
Urging the person to accompany him
To the sea, of love
Going to a place where love is felt the most
Do you remember when we met
Asking if the person remembers the moment they met
That's the day I knew you were my pet
The moment he realized that the person is special and belongs to him
I want to tell you
Desire to express feelings
How much I love you
Intensity of love felt for the person
I want to tell you
Desire to express feelings
How much I love you
Intensity of love felt for the person
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Khoury, Philip Baptiste
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Cathrine Colwell
I love Del Shannon! I didn't know he did this song! I love the song and his version the best.
Nash Burnette
This was a long-awaited, although brief comeback for him ... It charted at #33 in early 1982,
making it his last top-40 single ..... From his album, DROP DOWN AND GET ME.
The entire album was produced by Tom Petty and the backing band is The Heartbreakers.
Sarah Hobart
Same here ! Hmm
William Sykes
I love it too but then back the original Phil Phillips version is pretty amazing as well
Marvalous Marvin
Nor did I. It was produced by Tom Petty.
Brian Smith
Have you heard the version by The Honeydrippers? It is great, and the vocals are done by Robert Plant.
Jennifer Vazquez
Me encanta esta canción desde el primer día q la escuché en la película el baile a medianoche si señor 💚
christina diana
Great version…..Del Shannon was fantastic!
Harry S. Anchan
Awesome version. R.I.P., Del.
Hernán Patrik
Está versión de Del Shannon (RiP) es estupenda, me recuerda mi adolescencia al shool en 1982. Otra versión muy buena es de Robert Plant (voz principal de Led Zeppelin) en 1985.