Del Shannon (30 December 1934–8 February 1990) (born Charles Weedon Westove… Read Full Bio ↴Del Shannon (30 December 1934–8 February 1990) (born Charles Weedon Westover in Coopersville, Michigan) was an American rock and roller who launched into fame with the No. 1 hit "Runaway" (1961) which introduced the musitron, an early form of the synthesizer played by "Runaway" co-writer and keyboard player Max Crook.

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.

To Love Someone
Del Shannon Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I know you're not the only one
That warned me and you told me so
I never took your advice
I never though that she could hurt me so
But here I am, I'm down on my knees
Somebody help me please
Tell me what it's like

To love someone
When they don't love you
To need someone
When they don't need you
To love someone
When you're down and out
Tell me what it's like
When you can't find out
Somebody

I never had a chance
She left, she didn't even say goodbye
I never thought she was that kind
But I was wrong, too late I realize
That it's over and I know that we're through
Can't somebody tell me what to do?
Tell me what it's like

To love someone
When they don't love you
To need someone
When they don't need you
To love someone
When you're down and out
Tell me what it's like
When you can't find out
Somebody

It's over and I know that we're through
Can't somebody tell me what to do?
Tell me what it's like

To love someone
When they don't love you
To need someone
When they don't need you
To love someone
When you're down and out
Tell me what it's like
When you can't find out

Tell me what it's like
To love someone
When they don't love you

To need someone
When they don't need you

Overall Meaning

In Del Shannon's song "To Love Someone", the singer sings about their experience of unrequited love. They address someone who had warned them about the person they fell in love with, but they didn't take that advice. They thought that their love interest would never hurt them but now they find themselves on their knees, asking for help because they are heartbroken. They ask for someone to tell them what it's like to love someone who does not love you back. They describe the pain of needing someone who does not need you, and the struggle of being in love while feeling down and out.

The lyrics capture the desperation and confusion that come with unrequited love. The singer realizes they were wrong about the person they fell in love with, and now it's too late. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the emotional weight of the situation. The line "Can't somebody tell me what to do?" shows how lost and helpless the singer feels.

The song's simple yet affecting lyrics are complemented by Del Shannon's distinctive vocal style, creating a powerful ballad about heartbreak.

Line by Line Meaning

I know you're not the only one
I am aware that other people also warned me

That warned me and you told me so
You are one of those who warned me about this

I never took your advice
I ignored your warning

I never thought that she could hurt me so
I was not expecting to be hurt by her

But here I am, I'm down on my knees
I am now in a vulnerable position and seeking help

Somebody help me please
I am desperate for assistance

Tell me what it's like
I am asking for an explanation of what I am going through

To love someone When they don't love you
It is a painful experience to have unrequited love

To need someone When they don't need you
It hurts when you depend on someone who doesn't care about you

To love someone When you're down and out
It is difficult to love when you are already struggling