They first appeared together in 1959 in The Bluefrets. Early songwriting work was for Dean Ford and the Gaylords (later to become Marmalade). Signed by The Beatles in 1968 to write for Apple Records' Mary Hopkin.
In 1970 they joined Tom McGuinness and Hughie Flint to form McGuinness Flint and penned the hits ''When I'm Dead And Gone'' (which reached No 2 in the UK in 1970) and ''Malt And Barley Blues'' (No 5 in 1971).
In 1972 they formed their own duo and enjoyed UK chart successes in 1976 and 1977 with four hits, including ''I Wanna Stay With You'' and ''Heart On My Sleeve'' both of which reached No 6. They split in 1979.
Gallagher & Lyle compositions have provided hits for Art Garfunkel (Breakaway) and Don Williams (Stay Young) . Graham Lyle later wrote with Terry Britten and their hits included ''What's Love Got To Do With It'' and ''We Don't Need Another Hero'' for Tina Turner and ''Just Good Friends'' for Michael Jackson. Benny Gallagher spent nine years as founding director of Performing Artists Media Rights Association (PAMRA) and also performed in The Manfreds with Paul Jones, Mike D'Arbo, Tom McGuinness and Mike Hugg.
Fifteen Summers
Gallagher & Lyle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you're trying to tell me
Just how lonely this world can be
Fifteen summers
You say you're the only
One who's had good love go badly
And I can't tell you how these things happen
Fifteen summers
Already you're a woman
Or let's just say you could have fooled me
There's nothing missing
Your heart strings just need tuning
But you can't wait, you want to play
The whole recital right away
And I can't tell you how these things happen
You give your heart, hoping that someone else
Gives you love in return
Oh I can't tell you why these things happen
All you can do is pray for love and let it be
And I can't tell why these things happen
All you can do is pray for love
And when you do just put a word in for me
The song "Fifteen Summers" by Gallagher & Lyle speaks of a young girl who is already feeling the pain of lost love. The lyrics talk about how she is trying to explain to the singer how lonely the world can be, and she is the only one who has experienced what it's like to have love turn out badly. Despite her youth, the girl seems wise beyond her years. She acknowledges that her heart just needs tuning and that she wants to play the whole recital right away.
The singer acknowledges that he cannot tell why these things happen. All he can do is pray for love and let it be. He acknowledges that giving your heart to someone and hoping to receive love in return is all you can do in matters of the heart. The song serves as a reminder that love can be painful at times, but it is worth it to continue believing and hoping for it.
Overall, "Fifteen Summers" is a poignant reminder of the complexities of love and heartache. The lyrics capture the challenges of love and offer a message of hope for those who have experienced loss.
Line by Line Meaning
Fifteen summers
Being just fifteen years of age
And you're trying to tell me
You're explaining to me
Just how lonely this world can be
How this world can be an isolating place
Fifteen summers
Being just fifteen years of age
You say you're the only
You believe you are the sole person
One who's had good love go badly
The only one who has experienced love turn sour
And I can't tell you how these things happen
I can't explain why things unfold the way they do
All you can do is pray for love and let it be
The only option is to hope for love and accept it as it comes
Fifteen summers
Being just fifteen years of age
Already you're a woman
You seem more mature than your actual age
Or let's just say you could have fooled me
You could have easily convinced me otherwise
There's nothing missing
There's nothing lacking in you
Your heart strings just need tuning
You just need to adjust your emotions
But you can't wait, you want to play
You're eager to aggressively engage
The whole recital right away
You want the complete relationship experience instantly
And I can't tell you how these things happen
I can't explain why things unfold the way they do
You give your heart, hoping that someone else
You offer your heart, desiring that someone reciprocates
Gives you love in return
They give you affection in exchange
(Solo)
Instrumental break in the song
Oh I can't tell you why these things happen
I can't explain why things unfold the way they do
All you can do is pray for love and let it be
The only option is to hope for love and accept it as it comes
And I can't tell why these things happen
I can't explain why things unfold the way they do
All you can do is pray for love
The only option is to hope for love
And when you do just put a word in for me.
And when you do, please remember to mention me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: benny gallagher, graham lyle
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@patrickstocks3576
15 summers and you’re trying to tell me
Just how lonely 😔 this world 🗺 can be
15 summers, you say you’re the only
One ☝️ who’s had good love 💓 go badly
And I can’t tell you how these things happen
All you can do is pray for love 💕 and let it be
15 summers, already you’re a woman 👩
Or let’s just say you could have fooled me
There’s nothing missing, your heart 💖 strings just need tuning
But you can’t wait 😊 you want to play the whole recital right away
And I can’t tell you how these things happen
You give your heart 💖 hoping that someone else
Gives you love 💕 in return
Oh, I can’t tell you why these things happen
All you can do is pray for love 💕 and let it be
And I can’t tell these things happen
All you can do is pray for love 💕
And when you do, just put a word for me
@slaz1966
Beautiful beautiful song - still
Makes me cry in 2022 xx
@YankMcGill
I left school in the glorious summer of 1976. Bought this album with my first weeks wages. The whole album speaks to me in such a great way. 15 summers becomes clearer in its meaning with every summer that passes. These two musical geniuses never reached the great heights of stardom they deserved. The lads are still doing it, and I get to see them whenever I can. Brilliant, thank you for posting.
@colynbarrett8127
Such, a lovely song. Also, a great Album which i still have. I'm 66 years young. These were great times, with of course......Great Music!!
@arneemilbredland2339
I`m with you. I still play the Breakaway album and enjoy it every time.
@arneemilbredland2339
Once upon a long ago. Brings back dear memories. Music is eternal.
@jillianhorsley5985
I love this song, my anthem, bought this great album when i was sweet 16 and this song rang so true with me....at 16 you want to know and do most things, but get your heart broken on the way.
A great Duo. Thanks for posting, it made me smile.
@susanbraithwaite1583
This song has such bitter sweet memories for me ,
15 year old girl living in a dysfunctional family,
Meets a boy ( with a fabulous mum )
Love her to bits she looks after me when I became pregnant with her grandson ,
❤ even knowing her son didn't treat me with respect,
47 years later still see this wonderful lady,
But going through one of the worst times in my life, this song will always stay with me ❤
@andrearicketts9992
A beautiful song.. a beautiful Album. . ❤️
@JonSimonSid
I sometimes wonder how I ever went out of the house when I had such great music at home.
@barrybrooks8805
Beautiful words when released and stands the test some 43 years later. Loved it then, love it now.