Like Elvis Presley, he was raised singing the Christian gospel music of integrated southern Pentecostal churches. In 1950 he attended Southwestern Bible Institute in Texas but was expelled for misconduct, including playing rock and roll versions of hymns in church. Pearry Green (then president of the student body) related how during a talent show Jerry played some worldly music. The next morning the Dean of the school called both Jerry and Pearry into his office to expel them both. Jerry then said that Pearry shouldn't be expelled because "he didn't know what I was going to do." Years later Pearry asked Jerry: "Are you still playing the devil's music?" Jerry replied, "Yes, I am. But you know it's strange, the same music that they kicked me out of school for is the same kind of music they play in their churches today. The difference is, I know I am playing for the devil and they don't."
Leaving religious music behind, he became a part of the burgeoning new rock and roll sound, cutting his first record in 1954. Two years later, at Sun Records studio in Memphis, Tennessee, producer and engineer Jack Clement discovered and recorded Lewis for the Sun label, while owner Sam Phillips was away on a trip to Florida. As a result, Lewis joined Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash as stars who began their recording careers at Sun Studios around this same time.
Lewis' first recording at Sun studios was his own distinct version of the country ballad Crazy Arms. In 1957, his piano and the pure rock and roll sound of Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On propelled him to international fame. Great Balls of Fire soon followed, and would become his biggest hit. Watching and listening to Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis said if he could play the piano like that, he'd quit singing. Lewis' early billing was Jerry Lee Lewis and his Pumping Piano.
Lewis was a pioneer of piano rock, not only through his sound by also through his dynamic performance. He would often kick the piano bench out of the way to play standing, rake his hands up and down the keyboard for dramatic accent, and even sit down on it. His frenetic performance style can be seen in films such as High School Confidential (he sang the title song from the back of a flatbed truck), and Jamboree. These performance techniques have been adopted by recent piano rock artists, notably admirer Elton John.
I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
Jerry Lee Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He sounds too blue to fly
That old midnight train oh, she's whinin' low
I'm so lonesome I think I'm gonna cry
Did you ever see the night so long
When time goes crawlin' by?
That old moon it just went behind the cloud
Did you ever, ever see the robin weep
You know when leaves begin to die?
Well, that means he's lost the will to live
I'm gettin' so lonesome I, I-hi could cry
Jerry Lee Lewis's song "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" contains a lyrical message about the feeling of loneliness and heartache. The singer is depicting the sounds of nature as it relates to his emotions. In the first verse, he describes a whippoorwill whose crying sounds like he is also feeling dejected, and a train that is whining low, which he could relate to his own sadness. In the second verse, he questions whether anyone has ever experienced the same kind of long-lasting night as he has, and how the moon has hidden to cry behind the clouds. In the third verse, he discusses the sadness of seeing a robin cry, and how the approach of Fall triggers the bird to lose its will to live. These three verses suggest a connection between nature and human emotions, with the underlying theme of despair and loneliness.
In addition to the lyrics, the song has an interesting history. Originally written and recorded by Hank Williams in 1949, "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" has been covered by many artists, including Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. In the 1950s, the song became a hit for Williams, but also caused controversy for its lyrics that critics claimed perpetuated negative stereotypes about the South. Despite this controversy, the song remains a classic in American country music.
Line by Line Meaning
Hear that lonesome whippoorwill
Listen to the sad sound of the lonesome whippoorwill.
He sounds too blue to fly
The whippoorwill is so sad and lonely, it doesn't even have the energy to fly.
That old midnight train oh, she's whinin' low
The midnight train is making a sad, mournful sound as it passes by.
I'm so lonesome I think I'm gonna cry
I am so lonely and sad, I feel like crying.
Did you ever see the night so long
Have you ever experienced a night that feels like it will never end?
When time goes crawlin' by?
When every second seems to take forever to pass.
That old moon it just went behind the cloud
The full moon has disappeared behind a cloud, making the night even darker and sadder.
To hide it's face, hey and cry
The moon seems to be hiding its face, as if it too is shedding tears.
Did you ever, ever see the robin weep
Have you ever seen a robin (a symbol of new beginnings and hope) cry?
You know when leaves begin to die?
The robin is crying because it feels like everything is coming to an end and there is no hope left.
Well, that means he's lost the will to live
The robin's tears are a sign that it has lost the desire to keep going, just like the singer feels.
I'm gettin' so lonesome I, I-hi could cry
I am becoming even more lonely and sad, to the point where I feel like bursting into tears.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hank Williams, Sr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind