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.
Stranger In Town
Del Shannon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So very long
Her folks sent a man to get us
They say we've done wrong
So we run, yeah we run, yeah we run
From the stranger in town
Stranger in town, he's out to get me
He follows me
From town to town
And if he gets me
He'll bring me down
So we run, yeah we run, yeah we run
From the stranger in town
Woo woo
I'm not afraid of what they'll do to me
I'm just afraid they'll hurt my baby
We don't care if we run forever
Just as long as we're together
Stranger in town, I think we've lost him
Stranger in town, can't let him bring us in
Another town
One more mile
And we'll be free
For a while
And we'll run, yeah we'll run, yeah we'll run
From the stranger in town
Woo woo
Stranger in town
The lyrics to Del Shannon's song "Stranger In Town" tell the story of a couple who are on the run from someone sent by the woman's parents to bring them back home. They have been running for a long time, going from town to town, trying to avoid capture. They are afraid that if they get caught, they will be separated and that their love will be torn apart. They are not afraid for themselves, but for the safety of their child. The stranger in town is always following them, and they are constantly on the move to avoid being caught.
The song is a great example of storytelling through music. It captures the fear, the excitement, and the desperation of the couple as they try to avoid being caught by the stranger in town. The lyrics are simple, but they are effective in conveying the emotions of the characters. The refrain of "So we run, yeah we run, yeah we run" emphasizes the urgency of their situation and creates a sense of momentum in the song.
Overall, "Stranger In Town" is a great example of a classic rock and roll song that tells a compelling story. It captures the essence of 1960s youth culture, where rebellion and running away from home were common themes.
Line by Line Meaning
Me and my baby been on the run
The singer and their partner have been running away from something
So very long
They have been doing this for a long time
Her folks sent a man to get us
Someone, possibly the partner's family, sent someone after them
They say we've done wrong
The reason for them being chased is because they are accused of doing something wrong
So we run, yeah we run, yeah we run
They continue to run away from the person who was sent after them
From the stranger in town
The person who is after them is a stranger in the towns they are running through
Stranger in town, he's out to get me
The singer confirms that the stranger is specifically after them
Stranger in town, wants me and my baby
The reason for chasing them is because the stranger wants both the artist and their baby
He follows me
The stranger continues to chase them from place to place
And if he gets me
The artist fears what will happen if the stranger catches them
He'll bring me down
The consequences of being caught will be severe
I'm not afraid of what they'll do to me
The artist is not afraid of being punished
I'm just afraid they'll hurt my baby
The singer is only concerned about the safety of their baby
We don't care if we run forever
The singer and their partner are willing to keep running as long as they are together
Just as long as we're together
Being together is the most important thing to them, even if it means constantly being on the run
Stranger in town, I think we've lost him
The artist believes they have escaped from the stranger following them
Stranger in town, can't let him bring us in
Despite thinking they have gotten away, the artist is still worried about being caught and brought back
Another town
They continue to move from place to place
One more mile
They are still traveling, trying to stay ahead of the stranger
And we'll be free
The artist believes that by running, they will eventually be free of the danger chasing them
For a while
This freedom is only temporary, as they will have to keep moving to avoid being caught
And we'll run, yeah we'll run, yeah we'll run
They will continue to run from the danger chasing them
From the stranger in town
The danger they are running from is specifically the stranger following them
Woo woo
This is possibly a refrain or exclamation for emphasis
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEL SHANNON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@smokinjz
Me and my baby been on the run
So very long
Her folks sent a man to get us
They say we've done wrong
So we run, yeah we run, yeah we run
From the stranger in town
Stranger in town, he's out to get me
Stranger in town, wants me and my baby
He follows me
From town to town
And if he gets me
He'll bring me down
So we run, yeah we run, yeah we run
From the stranger in town
Woo woo
I'm not afraid of what they'll do to me
I'm just afraid they'll hurt my baby
We don't care if we run forever
Just as long as we're together
Stranger in town, I think we've lost him
Stranger in town, can't let him bring us in
Another town
One more mile
And we'll be free
For a while
And we'll run, yeah we'll run, yeah we'll run
From the stranger in town
Woo woo
Stranger in town
@CatHouseMouse251
Love Del Shannon! His voice got better over time. He wrote songs for Beatles and other singers and I read he was a genuine good guy. So sad to lose him the way he went.
@1979cl1
Which song Del wrote for the Beatles?
@oldermuscleguy
One of my favorites by Del Shannon 👍🎵💯👏
@aleandrei5841
Del shannon was a genius! Very special artist...
@terrycullen3262
Dels last hit in the UK. Rock On Del, you have given me years of musical pleasure.
@HurricaneHomer9
1:11, 1:20, and 1:29 are the best notes ever!
@smokinjz
Me and my baby been on the run
So very long
Her folks sent a man to get us
They say we've done wrong
So we run, yeah we run, yeah we run
From the stranger in town
Stranger in town, he's out to get me
Stranger in town, wants me and my baby
He follows me
From town to town
And if he gets me
He'll bring me down
So we run, yeah we run, yeah we run
From the stranger in town
Woo woo
I'm not afraid of what they'll do to me
I'm just afraid they'll hurt my baby
We don't care if we run forever
Just as long as we're together
Stranger in town, I think we've lost him
Stranger in town, can't let him bring us in
Another town
One more mile
And we'll be free
For a while
And we'll run, yeah we'll run, yeah we'll run
From the stranger in town
Woo woo
Stranger in town
@recordguy4321
Del transcended time... really miss him
@michaelglickman1300
For those wondering, the musicians are lead vocalist-rhythm guitarist Del Shannon, lead guitarist Dennis Coffey, guitarist Bill Knight, bassist Robert Kreinar, drummer Marcus Terry, 2*4 player Harry Balk, pianist-organist-clavioline player George Katsakis, and saxophonists Gregory Popoff and Michael Popoff.
@debratownsend-schmidt3759
AKA The Royaltones...