Pitney, a pop rock pioneer, had his greatest success overall in Britain, first travelling there after his first self penned hit in 1961. "I Wanna Love My Life Away" hit #26 on the UK singles chart & just broke into the top 40 in the US.
His early music recorded for the "musicor" label was romantic, lonely and dramatic, fitting in alongside contemporaries like Buddy Holly, Neil Sedaka, Roy Orbison & serves as an audio time capsule of a more innocent time.
Gene Pitney - Yesterday's Hero...
Gene was a Brill Building songwriter who even before his singing career took off, had written one of Ricky Nelson's biggest hits "Hello Mary Lou". He had been helped out initially in his career by Burt Bacharach & Hal David, and later recorded some of their songs which became big hits like "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" and the classic "Only Love Can Break A Heart". At the time his "Only Love..." recording was a #2 chart hit, he had written the number 1 song that week; "He's A Rebel" (A Phil Spector production recorded by The Crystals). All in all Pitney himself recorded 16 top 40 songs in the US from 1961 to 1968.
Gene's biggest popularity was in England, where he used the Rolling Stones publicist Andrew Loog Oldham to get his fame established, which lasted there to the day of his death. In the UK, Gene had 40 top-40 charting hits through 1974. He finally hit #1 in the UK in 1990, performing a duet with Marc Almond of Soft Cell. Pitney died April 5 on tour in 2006. He was found by his tour manager fully clothed on his bed at a Hilton Hotel in Cardiff , shortly after performing a concert.
I'm Gonna Be Strong
Gene Pitney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're slipping away from me
And you're so afraid
That I'll plead with you to stay
But I'm gonna be strong
And let you go your way
Love is gone
And your pity now
Would be more than I could bare
But I'm gonna be strong
And pretend I don't care
I'm gonna be strong
And stand as tall as I can
I'm gonna be strong
And let you go along
And take it like a man
When you say it's the end
I'll hand you a line
I'll smile and say
Don't you worry I'm fine
But you'll never know darling
After you kiss me goodbye
How I'll break down and cry
The lyrics to Gene Pitney's song, "I'm Gonna Be Strong," tell the story of a relationship that is coming to an end. The singer seems to understand that the love between them is gone and that there's no point in holding on. Despite their anguish, the singer has a plan to remain strong in the face of this heartbreak. They vow to "let you go your way" and "pretend I don't care." The song suggests that it takes strength to let go of someone you love and to allow them to go their own way.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the singer's resolve to be strong in the face of heartbreak. They will "stand as tall as I can" and "take it like a man" even though they will "break down and cry" when the one they love leaves them. The singer will pretend that everything is fine, but they will never reveal the heartache that they feel. The lyrics suggest that it's better to be strong and let love go rather than cling to something that's no longer there.
Overall, the lyrics of "I'm Gonna Be Strong" offer a bittersweet reflection on the end of a relationship. They acknowledge the pain and vulnerability that come with heartbreak while also emphasizing the importance of strength and resilience.
Line by Line Meaning
I can see
I am aware of the changes in your behavior towards me.
You're slipping away from me
You are gradually losing interest in our relationship.
And you're so afraid
You fear that I will beg you to stay.
That I'll plead with you to stay
That I will implore you to remain in the relationship.
But I'm gonna be strong
I will be resilient and find the strength to let you go.
And let you go your way
I will allow you to go and pursue other things that interest you.
Love is gone
Our love for each other is no longer present.
There's no sense in holding on
It does not make any sense to prolong a relationship that is doomed to end.
And your pity now
Your sympathy or feeling sorry for me at this point.
Would be more than I could bare
It would be too much for me to handle emotionally.
But I'm gonna be strong
I will be resolute and not allow myself to be overwhelmed by my emotions.
And pretend I don't care
I will act as if I am unaffected by the end of our relationship.
I'm gonna be strong
I will be brave and courageous in the face of this heartbreak.
And stand as tall as I can
I will hold my head high and not let my sorrow consume me.
And let you go along
I will not stop you from leaving because it is what you want.
And take it like a man
I will endure this hardship and come out on the other side.
When you say it's the end
When you tell me that our relationship has come to an end.
I'll hand you a line
I will give you a scripted response.
I'll smile and say
I will put on a facade of happiness and acceptance.
Don't you worry I'm fine
I will assure you that I am okay.
But you'll never know darling
You will not be aware.
After you kiss me goodbye
Once you have bid me farewell.
How I'll break down and cry
I will give in to my emotions and cry after you have left.
Lyrics Ā© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@andresferrari5859
This song is gut wrenching for more than a few of us. Most of us have experienced this at least once in our lifetime. It hits home and does so hard, very hard.
@charliedontsurf70
During my third divorce.
@maxlomas2537
So not so. Speaking for me (who I feel could be seen to be from around those ways too) which puts me in my 50s having been forced to listen to these awesome songs, I now invision everyone I've loved who are no longer here right here with me and luckily I have many many memories around the table drinking, laughing and singing always she me there and I'm automatically happy.
@ss55..
I'm 72 I remember when the song came out it still is moving now as it was then but I'm thinking in modern times a man would never have this opportunity. To go through all these emotions because he probably get a text message or just be ghosted..
@johnpalin7393
Got me
@deedee5562
Oh yes indeed! Sooooooo hard hitting. Soooooo strong.
Cindy lauper caught it, in cindy's way of course.
Justclikecthete will be no other pitney's way.
Xxxxxxx
He was magical
@johnslomski5958
He has got to be the most
UNDERRATED vocalist of all time, there definitely should be a PBS documentary on his phenomenal LIFE
A VOICE in 10 life times!!!!!!
@johncjacobs6175
What an incredible voice for a powerful song.
@Massman9er
This is without a doubt one of the saddest but most beautiful songs of all time. What an ending to this song, what a voice.
@kathyboutilier5703
First artist I followedandloved