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.
Two Silhouettes
Del Shannon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(I was walking, late tonight)
And when I got there the shades were all drawn tight
(The shades were all drawn tight)
And then I saw two shadows appear
And all the rain seemed to turn to tears
And I'll never forget, this night in the rain
When I saw two silhouettes
Then the shadowed lips seemed to say I love you
(Seemed to say I love you)
And it looked to me that they said the same thing too
(Liked they said the same thing too)
I never thought that I could cry
But it's the rain just a falling from my eyes
And I'll never forget, this night in the rain
When I saw two silhouettes (two silhouettes)
Two silhouettes on the window shade
Has caused each dream I had to fade
I started walking up to your door
Turned around,(turned around)
What's the use, (what's the use)
You don't love me anymore
Then I saw the two shadows kissing tenderly
(Saw them kissing tenderly)
I couldn't bare watching you kissing him
Instead of me (kissing him instead of me)
As I wandered on through the rain
I don't think I'll ever be the same
And I'll never forget, this night in the rain
When I saw two silhouettes
The song "Two Silhouettes" by Del Shannon tells a story about a man walking to his lover's house and seeing two shadows on the window shade. The shades are drawn tight, and he couldn't see what was happening clearly. However, the two silhouettes tell the story of two people in love. They exchange words of love to each other, and it seems to the man that they say the same thing too. He can't understand how he missed seeing the relationship drift away from him. The pouring rain and shadows then make him realize the reality behind the silhouettes, seeing that his ex-lover is kissing another man. The man is devastated, and he knows he will never forget this moment in the pouring rain when he saw two silhouettes.
The lyrics of the song portray a sense of heartbreak and pain that comes with knowing somebody you love no longer loves you back. The shadowy images, the rain, and the dark atmosphere speak volumes about regret and sorrow. The man knows that he will never forget the image of the two silhouettes.
The song was a huge hit in 1963 and was recorded by a couple of artists under various names. In the UK, the band called The Chantelles covered it, calling it "I Want That Boy." It's a song that resonates with people who have faced heartbreak in their lives, and the lyrics make it relatable to anyone who has gone through similar experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
I was walking to my baby's house late tonight
I walked to my lover's house late at night
And when I got there the shades were all drawn tight
Upon arrival, I noticed the shades were tightly shut
And then I saw two shadows appear
I observed two shadows emerge
And all the rain seemed to turn to tears
The rainfall felt like tears to me
And I'll never forget, this night in the rain
This rainy night will forever remain in my memory
When I saw two silhouettes
I saw two figures through the shades
Then the shadowed lips seemed to say I love you
The lips of the figures said 'I love you'
And it looked to me that they said the same thing too
I perceived that the other figure said the same
I never thought that I could cry
I didn't think I was capable of shedding tears
But it's the rain just a falling from my eyes
It's just rain rolling down my cheeks
Two silhouettes on the window shade
Two figures on the window shade
Has caused each dream I had to fade
They made all of my dreams vanish
I started walking up to your door
I began walking towards your door
Turned around,(turned around)
I changed my mind
What's the use, (what's the use)
What's the point?
You don't love me anymore
You do not love me anymore
Then I saw the two shadows kissing tenderly
I saw the two figures kissing affectionately
I couldn't bear watching you kissing him
I could not tolerate watching you kiss him
Instead of me (kissing him instead of me)
In place of me
As I wandered on through the rain
As I aimlessly walked through the rain
I don't think I'll ever be the same
I do not believe I'll ever be the same
And I'll never forget, this night in the rain
This rainy night will forever remain in my memory
When I saw two silhouettes
When I saw two figures through the shades
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEL SHANNON, MARON MCKENZIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dermot Mahon
What a fantastic song by the great del Shannon, it's my favourite del track
kerri lettin
Great song :-) long live del ❤️
wes philbeck
great song, i like that he used the same backup singers ( the young sisters) on this and little town flirt, and two kinds of tear drops . great girl singers.
Kelly Walker
"As I wander on through the rain, I know things will never be the same...". How many of you have wandered on through the rain, trying to deal with a crushing loss? I know I have.
harold fridkis
Reached #150 on the Record World singles chart the week of June 22,1963.
Seedhill Bruiser Music
del is the best! especially when you've just turned 50 and yer drunk as a skunk on rum
Dermot Mahon
Thanksgiving McNanny thought you might like that track, its not del but it's pre beatle brit pop at its best at a time the yanks ruled the airwaves, until a beat combo from Liverpool came along, unlucky Mike lol
Seedhill Bruiser Music
joe meek! classic stuff my friend :-) lovely song!
Dermot Mahon
Thanksgiving McNanny listen to mike berry loneliness track on you tube its FAB
Seedhill Bruiser Music
you're a DEL guy! I'll share a bottle wi you anytime matey! haha! :-)