Had two number 1 UK hits with Christmas Alphabet - the first ever seasonal song to do so) and Finger Of Suspicion (used in soundtrack to 1988 film Distant Voices, Still Lives) Had his own TV show in 1956.
The Finger of Suspicion
Dickie Valentine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The finger of suspicion points at you
Someone took away my sleep and never left a clue
The finger of suspicion points at you
Just as soon as they can make the guilty one confess
I know exactly what I'm gonna do
I'll take and lock her charms forever in my arms
Then who is bound to be the guilty, who?
Someone broke into my heart and stole a beat or two
The finger of suspicion points at you
Someone took away my sleep and never left a clue
The finger of suspicion points at you
Just as soon as they can make the guilty one confess
I know exactly what I'm gonna do
I'll take and lock her charms forever in my arms
Then who is bound to be the guilty, who?
The finger of suspicion points at you
"The Finger of Suspicion" by Dickie Valentine is a song about a broken hearted man who suspects someone has taken his sleep away and stolen a beat from his heart. The finger of suspicion points towards someone as the culprit. The singer is waiting for the guilty party to own up to their actions, but until then, they will remain under suspicion. The singer is confident in their course of action once the culprit is found, and they will take and lock their charms forever in their arms. The song begs the question of who is truly guilty and maintains the tension built by the finger of suspicion.
Line by Line Meaning
Someone broke into my heart and stole a beat or two
I am feeling heartbroken and hurt because someone took away my love and happiness.
The finger of suspicion points at you
I believe that you are the one responsible for breaking my heart and causing me pain.
Someone took away my sleep and never left a clue
I am restless and cannot sleep because someone has caused me great distress and left me with no explanation.
The finger of suspicion points at you
I suspect that you have something to do with the loss of my sleep and the mystery surrounding it.
Just as soon as they can make the guilty one confess
Once the truth is revealed and the culprit admits their wrongdoing,
I know exactly what I'm gonna do
I have a plan in mind for when the truth comes out.
I'll take and lock her charms forever in my arms
I will hold onto the person responsible and never let them go, keeping them under my control.
Then who is bound to be the guilty, who?
At that point, who can be blamed for the situation other than the person who caused it in the first place?
The finger of suspicion points at you
I am confident that you are the one who deserves the blame and punishment for breaking my heart and causing me pain.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AL LEWIS, PAUL MANN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@caracoveney
Whilst watching Sherwood, I have just had a wave of nostalgia about Sunday mornings with my parents, when my dad used to play all his favourite records on our 'radiogram' before Sunday dinner and this song was one of them. I'm 71 now, and Dickie Valentine's voice is so beautiful and what a handsome guy he was! Voices like Dickie's and Nat King Cole, Perry Como etc are timeless.
@annthompson2583
We had a similar memory. Loved those jazz albums. I'm 75 from the Midwest originally. Music is the great universal connect. Every generation has their favorites and stories remembered just hearing it again ...no matter how many decades later.
@carolclemmons4903
Sherwood brought me here too~
@nurkenurk
What a Fantastic and Cool Ballad from Dickie Valentine! Typical 50`s, and which was the best 10 years in my life. Best wishes from a Record Collector in Norway, at 80 now, but still 25 in my head !!!
@kinverrunner
Great to hear this. I sing this to my dog oscar often. In your record collection what is your favourite?
@richardbryce3201
he was my uncle, just watched Sherwood and they played his song, lovely memory, he died when i was 7, still miss him
@phaasch
Sherwood brought me here, too. Loved the song, and such an effective use of it , but so very dark.
@annthompson2583
That is so interesting. I'm watching Sherwood today and besides the eerie feeling of Govt politicizing Security Depts like FBI, NHS, Military; not being just a conspiracy theory but very apropos to our volatile times.. Anyway ...on a nice lighter side was enjoying this song. Reminded me of the jazz records ( this was one) my Dad played most Saturday nights when I was a kid and my sisters and I egging on him & Mom to dance. Then Dad would take turns dancing with his 3 girls 😊 Nice coming to listen and to see your bit of history. Thanks for sharing.
@annthompson2583
Just saw another relative on a different song.. now I can't remember which. I get it wrong... gay blossom?? Maybe
@kaths310
My Mumcwasxa great fan. We are just going through her memorabilia. She knew him and his wife well, we have pictures of him with his young family and so many 78's. Mum is on a care home now. Many happy memories of my childhood were with his music ❤