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.
why don
Del Shannon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't you know he's blue
Can't you see he's crying
Every night for you
Why don't you tell him
Tell him that its over
Tell him that you no longer care
Why don't you tell him
If you really love me
Like I love you
You run right up to him
And tell him that you're through
Why don't you tell him
Tell him that its over
Tell him you found somebody new
It's the only thing to do
Why don't you tell him
Is it cause you're lonely
Is it cause you're blue
Is cause you still love him
Could all this be true
Why don't you tell me
Tell me that it's over
Tell me that you no longer care
The love you thought was there
Why don't you tell me
Get it over baby
Tell me it's goodbye
Stop calling me
Bye
The lyrics to Del Shannon's "Why Don't You Tell Him" tell the story of a person who is in a love triangle. One person wants the other to break it off with their current partner and be with them instead. The lyrics appeal to the person's empathy by pointing out how their current partner is lonely, sad, and crying every night for them. They plead with the person to tell their partner that it's over and that they no longer care, encouraging them to do what's right and end the relationship. The song ends with the person expressing frustration and urging the other person to get it over with and tell them goodbye.
This song is a classic example of a classic pop ballad with its simple yet effective melody and catchy chorus that sticks in your head long after the song has ended. The lyrics are emotionally charged, and Shannon's delivery is heartfelt, making it easy for the listener to feel the emotions of the characters in the song. The song was released in 1963 and is a testament to the popularity of the pop ballad during that era.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you know he's lonely
Do you not understand that he is experiencing feelings of isolation and sorrow?
Don't you know he's blue
Are you not aware that he feels melancholy and blue?
Can't you see he's crying
Are you not able to perceive that he's shedding tears?
Every night for you
Each passing night, he sheds tears just thinking about you
Why don't you tell him
Why not communicate with him in order to put an end to his suffering?
Tell him that its over
Inform him that your relationship has come to an end.
Tell him that you no longer care
Let him know that you aren't concerned with him anymore.
For love you thought was there
The love that you assumed existed between the two of you.
If you really love me
If you truly love me the way that I love you.
Like I love you
In the same way that I deeply love you.
You run right up to him
Quickly approach him without delay.
And tell him that you're through
Communicate to him that the relationship is over.
Tell him you found somebody new
Inform him that you have found a new romantic partner.
It's the only thing to do
This is the sole, most necessary action that ought to be taken.
Is it cause you're lonely
Is your aversion to ending this relationship due to your own feelings of loneliness?
Is it cause you're blue
Are you hesitant to take action because you are feeling down?
Is cause you still love him
Perhaps you are unable to end things because you are still enamored with him?
Could all this be true
Is it possible that these are the reasons preventing you from taking action?
Why don't you tell me
Why have you failed to communicate with me about this situation directly?
Get it over baby
Bring this situation to a close, my love.
Tell me it's goodbye
Inform me that we will not continue our relationship any longer.
Stop calling me
Please cease trying to get in touch with me through telephone calls.
Bye
Goodbye.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: DEL SHANNON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Greg_Chase
The falsetto voice sections instantly date the song to the 50s/early 60s falsetto songs. But the only way you'd know it is if you've listened to 50s/60s songs like that. It's a very simple tune, with one verse repeated after the unique monophonic synthesizer solo - it's simple, and very very catchy.
You really only need to hear it one time to like the song. It's a combination of not having to think too hard about what's being conveyed, the great vocals, the rhythm section, and the unique synthesizer.
The song was in the film 'American Graffiti' which was a major hit film.
I wish Del could have been a sort of 'Tom Petty' type of performer, turning out lots of hits, and had a more solid, decades-long career. Del was very talented - great songwriter, great performer.
This tune will be remade by lots of bands for decades - it has appeal that is beyond the time period it first came out. Great songs are usually timeless.
.
.
@sjbeast7573
As I walk along, I wonder
What went wrong with our love
A love that was so strong
And as I still walk on, I think of
The things we've done together
While our hearts were young
I'ma walkin' in the rain
Tears are fallin' and I feel the pain
Wishin' you were here by me
To end this misery
I wonder
I wo-wo-wo wonder
Why... why-why-why-why-why
She ran away
And I wonder where she will stay
My little runaway
I run-run-run-run runaway
I'ma walkin' in the rain
Tears are fallin' and I feel the pain
Wishin' you were here by me
To end this misery
I wonder
I wo-wo-wo wonder
Why... why-why-why-why-why
She ran away
And I wonder where she will stay
My little runaway
I run-run-run-run runaway
I run-run-run-run runaway
I run-run-run-run runaway
@raquell.3998
"Runaway" (Lyrics)
As I walk along, I wonder
A-what went wrong with our love
A love that was so strong
And as I still walk on, I think of
The things we've done together
While our hearts were young
I'm a-walkin' in the rain
Tears are fallin' and I feel the pain
Wishin' you were here by me
To end this misery
I wonder
I wah-wah-wah-wah-wonder
Why
Why, why, why, why, why
She ran away
And I wonder
Where she will stay
My little runaway
A-run, run, run, run, runaway
I'm a-walkin' in the rain
Tears are fallin' and I feel the pain
Wishin' you were here by me
To end this misery
And I wonder
I wah-wah-wah-wah-wonder
Why
Why, why, why, why, why
She ran away
And I wonder
Where she will stay
My little runaway
A-run, run, run, run, runaway
A-run, run, run, run, runaway
A-run, run, run, run, runaway
@LashirBekef
As I walk along, I wonder
A-what went wrong with our love
A love that was so strong
And as I still walk on, I think of
The things we've done together
While our hearts were young
I'm a-walkin' in the rain
Tears are fallin' and I feel the pain
Wishin' you were here by me
To end this misery
I wonder
I wah-wah-wah-wah-wonder
Why
Why, why, why, why, why
She ran away
And I wonder
Where she will stay
My little runaway
A-run, run, run, run, runaway
@deputychief31
As I walk along I wonder a-what went wrong
With our love, a love that was so strong
And as I still walk on, I think of the things we've done
Together, a-while our hearts were young
I'm a-walkin' in the rain
Tears are fallin' and I feel the pain
Wishin' you were here by me
To end this misery
And I wonder
I wa-wa-wa-wa-wonder
Why
Ah-why-why-why-why-why she ran away
And I wonder where she will stay
My little runaway, run-run-run-run-runaway
[Musitron solo]
I'm a-walkin' in the rain
Tears are fallin' and I feel the pain
Wishin' you were here by me
To end this misery
And I wonder
I wa-wa-wa-wa-wonder
Why
Ah-why-why-why-why-why she ran away
And I wonder where she will stay
My little runaway, run-run-run-run-runaway
A-run-run-run-run-runaway
@rubiconwheeler6791
I lost my dad today and this was his favorite song. Miss you, dad.
@isaacaguirreescarcega9799
In sorry for your loss
@elyxur4726
May he rest in peace
@Ahmed_Tarek82
I'm sorry for your loss
@haybales7554
Sorry for your loss my friend🙏🏻
@ninodeoliveira5854
May he rest in peace
@dougms9790
I was a DJ back in 1960 to 1962 and I must have played this song a thousand times. Never gets old.
@thisisme3238
@John Smith Life was a total 180 from what it is today in 2022...no comparison. It was good!
@Greg_Chase
The falsetto voice sections instantly date the song to the 50s/early 60s falsetto songs. But the only way you'd know it is if you've listened to 50s/60s songs like that. It's a very simple tune, with one verse repeated after the unique monophonic synthesizer solo - it's simple, and very very catchy.
You really only need to hear it one time to like the song. It's a combination of not having to think too hard about what's being conveyed, the great vocals, the rhythm section, and the unique synthesizer.
The song was in the film 'American Graffiti' which was a major hit film.
I wish Del could have been a sort of 'Tom Petty' type of performer, turning out lots of hits, and had a more solid, decades-long career. Del was very talented - great songwriter, great performer.
This tune will be remade by lots of bands for decades - it has appeal that is beyond the time period it first came out. Great songs are usually timeless.
.
.
@flannigan7956
Yes, before producers learned not to care