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.
Where Were You When I Needed You
Del Shannon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ere...
ere Well you're lookin good, it's hard to fight itBut no use explainin, I've already decidedThat livin with you, it's worse than without yaI won't spend a lifetime a worryin about yaOh, things got rough and you disappearedNow I'm back on my feetBut look, look who's standing there Where were you when I needed yaWhere were you when I wanted yaWhere were you when I needed yaWhere.
ere...
ere Well you were so young, and you were so wildI knew you were nobody's innocent childThat first day I saw you, you really got to meI thought I could change you, what good did it do meOh, things got rough and you wouldn't waitNow you're tripping backBut babe, babe it's too late Where were you when I needed yaWhere were you when I wanted yaWhere were you when I needed yaWhere.
ere...
ere
The lyrics to Del Shannon's song "Where Were You When I Needed You" tell the story of a lost love that has returned now that the singer is no longer in need. The chorus repeats the question "where were you when I needed ya?" indicating that the other person was not present during a difficult time in the singer's life. However, now that the singer has moved on and become "well off," the love interest has reappeared. Despite their newfound confidence, the singer ultimately decides that being with this person is "worse than without ya" and chooses to move on without them.
The lyrics speak to the universal experience of losing love and the pain of feeling abandoned during a difficult time. The singer's decision to move on and not spend a lifetime worrying about this person suggests that they have gained some perspective and are no longer willing to tolerate a toxic relationship. The line "I thought I could change you, but what good did it do me" is particularly poignant, as it speaks to the futility of trying to change someone else, especially when it comes at the cost of one's own happiness and wellbeing.
Overall, Del Shannon's "Where Were You When I Needed You" is a powerful song that captures the heartache of lost love, as well as the strength and resilience it takes to move on and build a better life for oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't bother cryin, don't bother crawlin
Don't waste your tears or try to beg for forgiveness
It's all over now, no use in stallin
Our relationship has come to an end and delaying won't change that
The love I once felt, I don't feel anymore for you
I've fallen out of love with you
This time I'll even, open the door for you
I'll let you go without resistance
You walked out when I was down
You left me when I was in a vulnerable state
Well now I'm well off
I'm doing much better now
And look, look who's comin round
You've come back into my life
Where were you when I needed ya
Where were you when I was going through a tough time
Where were you when I wanted ya
Where were you when I desired your presence
Where were you when I needed ya
Where were you when I required your support
Where... ere
Repeating the question of where you were when I needed you
Well you're lookin good, it's hard to fight it
You appear attractive, but it doesn't change my decision
But no use explainin, I've already decided
There's no need to justify my choice, I've made up my mind
That livin with you, it's worse than without ya
Being with you is worse than being alone
I won't spend a lifetime a worryin about ya
I won't spend my life stressing over you
Oh, things got rough and you disappeared
Our relationship hit a rough patch and you left
Now I'm back on my feet
I've recovered and moved on from the tough time
But look, look who's standing there
You've returned after everything has been settled
Well you were so young, and you were so wild
You were young and reckless
I knew you were nobody's innocent child
I realized you weren't a naive and innocent person
That first day I saw you, you really got to me
I was attracted to you from the moment we met
I thought I could change you, what good did it do me
I believed I could influence you, but it didn't benefit me
Oh, things got rough and you wouldn't wait
Our relationship became difficult and you didn't stick around
Now you're tripping back
You've come back into my life
But babe, babe it's too late
But it's too late, our time has passed
Where were you when I needed ya
Questioning where you were when I faced trouble
Where were you when I wanted ya
Questioning where you were when I desired your presence
Where were you when I needed ya
Questioning where you were when I required your support
Where... ere
Reiterating the question of where you were when I needed you
Contributed by Elliot L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Featureman
I liked Del's version of The Big Hurt which was mostly unnoticed.
@donaldlang4152
This version is the best
@yolandamarsh1329
i still love you Dell Shannon 💛💗💕💋🌸💚
@ardalla535
C'mon, give her another chance.
@josebelindo1641
INTERLUDE 1:45