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.
Show Me
Del Shannon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They tell me that you've been playing around
It just can't be true, the things they say you do
But baby, I just gotta know for sure
You gotta show me that you've been true
Show me, nobody else will do
Tell me things will be the way they used to be
They all say, that put me down
I don't think you'll ever roam around
Would you break me down
Would you play around
Show me, we'll never have to part
Show me, you'll never break my heart
Tell me things will be the way they used to be
Show me, show me
You gotta show me that you're always true
Show me, nobody else will do
Tell me things will be the way they used to be
Show me, show me
You gotta show me that you're always true
Show me, nobody else will do
Tell me, things will be the way they used to be
Show me, show me
Tell me, you'll never break my heart
Show me, we'll never have to part
Tell me, things will be the way they used to be
Show me, show me
Tell me that you're always true
Show me, nobody else will do
Tell me, things will be the way they used to be
Show me, show me
The lyrics to Del Shannon's "Show Me" express the concern of a man who has been away and hears rumors that his significant other has been unfaithful. He can't believe what he's hearing but needs to know the truth. The repetition of the phrase "show me" throughout the song underscores his need for proof. He wants her to show him that she's been true to him and that they can go back to the way things used to be. The lyrics communicate his fear of being hurt and his desire for reassurance that she hasn't been playing around with anyone else.
The emotional vulnerability expressed in the lyrics is heightened by the passionate delivery by Shannon. The melody is driven by a haunting organ sound and Shannon's powerful voice. The song's sense of urgency and longing are captured in the repeating chorus of "show me" and the soaring high notes in the song's outro.
The song was written by Shannon himself and his longtime songwriting partner, keyboardist Max Crook. It was released in 1964 and became a top 40 hit in the US. "Show Me" was included in Shannon's album "This Is My Bag," which featured cover versions of popular songs of that era.
Line by Line Meaning
Since I've been away, I've heard a lot of people say
Although I've been gone, I have been told that rumors are spreading about you
They tell me that you've been playing around
I have been informed that people believe you have been having affairs
It just can't be true, the things they say you do
I don't want to believe the rumors because they sound outlandish
But baby, I just gotta know for sure
However, I need to hear the truth from you directly to ease my mind
You gotta show me that you've been true
The only way I will trust you is if you prove to me that you have been faithful
Show me, nobody else will do
I need you specifically to show me, as no one else's word will suffice
They all say, that put me down
People have been saying negative things about me as a result of these rumors
I don't think you'll ever roam around
Personally, I don't believe that you would cheat on me
Would you break me down
However, if the rumors are true and you have cheated, it would emotionally hurt me deeply
Would you play around
I need to know if you have been unfaithful so that I can plan my next steps accordingly
Show me, we'll never have to part
If you show me that you have been faithful, we can continue our relationship without ending it
Show me, you'll never break my heart
Proving your faithfulness will also assure me that you will not emotionally hurt me
You gotta show me that you're always true
I need to be convinced that you have been faithful not just in this instance, but overall
Tell me, things will be the way they used to be
Assuring me that you have been faithful will allow me to believe that our relationship can return to normal
Tell me that you're always true
I need you to verbally and physically show me your faithfulness to dispel the rumors
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEL SHANNON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ian Cooke
Del did a lot of great songs that deserved better Commercial Fate!
Guy Furet
Love you Del and your music forever
victor checketts
show me is such a powerful and beautiful song..this is my very favorite del shannon song
Paul Weaver
Now that's how you make a record!
GusMcC
This and and 'Stand Up' are two underrated 60s songs. Wasnt this on the 'B' side of the late 60s version of Runaway? A 'B' side for gods sake!
Terry Cullen
A side in the State’s.
belisario guerra
Original: Del Shannon ( U.S. ) - Show me ( Del Shannon ) ( 24/6/1966 ). Cover: Los Holy's ( Perú ) - Show me ( 1968 ).
David Ockley
Excellent cover
MrMartybearass
wonder if this later became "searchn" ??? very similar for sure!!!
joe gongora
This song was recorded a year after "Keep Searchin" in 1966. According to the "Vintage Years" LP this song reached 98 on the American charts and dropped off 2wks later. Del Shannon was now recording in California because they tried to bring Del into the Teen Pop sound of that time. Del wasn't too proud of how this song was put together. Later he decided to do things his way and how his music should sound. But Del Shannon had the voice and the talent and could sing anything.