After Be-Bop-A-Lula had become a huge hit in 1956 (peaking at #7 and spending 20 weeks in the Billboard Pop Chart), Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps (often mis-named as 'the' Blue Caps) were unable to follow it up with the same level of commercial success, but released critically acclaimed songs like Race With The Devil (#96 in Billboard) and Bluejean Bop (#49).
Following a visit to Europe in 1959, Vincent managed to attract a new huge and discerning audience there, especially in England and France. By that time his career had mostly ended in the US. In 1960, while on tour in Britain, Vincent and songwriter Sharon Sheeley were seriously injured in a high-speed traffic accident. Vincent broke his ribs, collarbone, and added further damage to his already weak leg which he had injured in a motorcycle accident in 1955 and refused to have amputated, and Sheeley suffered a broken pelvis. Both Vincent and Sheeley survived, but the accident killed Vincent's tourmate and Sheeley's fiancé, Eddie Cochran.
Vincent subsequently moved to England in 1963. His stage shows became "must see" events and his bands through those years were to spawn some of the most respected players in the world today. It was during his early tours of Britain that he adopted the trademark leather outfit, at the suggestion of British Rock 'n' Roll impressario, Jack Good.
Lonely Street
Gene Vincent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm looking for that lonely street
I've got a sad, sad tale to tell
I need a place to go and weep
Where's this place called "lonely stree-ee-ee-eet? "
A place where there's just loneliness
Where broken dreams and mem'ries meet
Where's this place called "lonely stree-ee-ee-eet? "
Perhaps upon that lonely street
There's someone such as i
Who came to bury broken dreams
And watch an old love di-ie
If I could find that lonely street
Where dim lights bring forgetfulness
Where broken dreams and mem'ries meet
Where's this place called "lonely stree-ee-ee-eet? "
Where's this place called "lonely stree-ee-ee-eet? "
In Gene Vincent's song "Lonely Street," the singer speaks of a place by the name of "Lonely Street," and the urgent need to find it. The singer is in search of a location where he can be by himself and grieve in solitary. The opening lines of the song echo this sentiment as he asks, "Where's this place called 'lonely stree-ee-ee-eet?'" The song implies that one's heartache can be so severe that it can send you searching for a physical place of desolation.
The song's evocative lyrics describe the location that is "Lonely Street." It is a place where the dim lights do not offer an escape from the memories and broken dreams that haunt you. The location is a place where the singer can release all of his pent-up emotions and mourn the loss of someone they cared for. The phrase "Where broken dreams and mem'ries meet" communicates the sense of defeat that you feel when you have lost someone special in your life. The song suggests that the only cure for a heartbreak is to give into it and let it run its course, which is what the character is looking to do.
Line by Line Meaning
Where's this place called "lonely stree-ee-ee-eet? "
The singer is looking for a mythical place he calls Lonely Street, where he can go to weep and forget his sorrows.
I'm looking for that lonely street
The singer is searching for a physical location where he can release his emotions.
I've got a sad, sad tale to tell
The singer has a heartbreaking story to share.
I need a place to go and weep
The singer is seeking a private location to express his emotions.
A place where there's just loneliness
Lonely Street is a desolate place where people go to be alone.
Where dim lights bring forgetfulness
Lonely Street is dimly lit, as if to create an atmosphere of forgetfulness and lost memories.
Where broken dreams and mem'ries meet
Lonely Street is where people come to mourn and say goodbye to unfulfilled dreams and past experiences.
Perhaps upon that lonely street
The singer imagines that someone else like him is on Lonely Street searching for solace.
There's someone such as i
The singer believes that someone else like him is on Lonely Street.
Who came to bury broken dreams
The person the singer imagines came to Lonely Street to let go of shattered hopes.
And watch an old love di-ie
The imagined person on Lonely Street is mourning the loss of a past love.
If I could find that lonely street
The singer wishes he could locate Lonely Street to find comfort and forget his sorrows.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Carl Belew, W Stevenson, Kenny Sowder
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Spirit Of 59 Legacy Rockers
Gene was a grossly underestimated Vocalist, his Ballad singing & style are among the best, whatever genre you pitch him in. To stand out back in the 50's & 60's among the cream of the incredible list of Talented singers there was, goes to prove the point. He had a song for every mood you find yourself in.
Seachase100
Yes, this is definitely the best....and original version. With this performance, Gene Vincent unleashed one of the most beautiful, haunting and heartfelt songs ever captured in a studio. An absolutely incredible vocal.....and song in general !
drjazzisme
Truly wonderful,NO one else has sung this with so much feeling and passion as Gene.But he was the same in all his singing.I love em all..
Wayne Bennett
drjazzisme Everly Brothers
44wetwater 44wetwater
Just love genes version of this great song , George Jones also has a fantastic version.
Anthony Heath
so much pain in his delivery; the best of rock and roll forget the rest fo sho.....miss you Gene!!!!!
mrblowhard2u
This is truly the best version of this song. Brought a tear to my eye. Thanks.
Mitch Gawlik
Nice version. Gene really had a way with a ballad. I'm getting a real schooling at YouTube on Gene.
gardendaisy
I LOVE THE WAY HE STRETCHES OUT WORDS AND SENTENCES. SOOOOOO ROMANTIC!
Niki Nolton
I love this song, I can relate to this .. it's my life song.