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.
Oh Lonesome Me
Jerry Lee Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm just a fool for staying home and having none
I can't get over how she set me free
Oh lonesome me
A bad mistake I'm making bout just hanging round
I know that I should have some fun an paint the town
A love sick fool that's blind and just can't see
I'll bet she's not like me
She's out an fancy free
Flirting with the boys with all her charms
But I still love her so
And brother don't you know
I'd welcome her right back here in my arms
Well there must be some way
I can lose these lonesome blue
Forget about the past and find somebody new
I've thought of everything from A to Z
Oh lonesome me
(guitar solo) (ba-de-op-bop-bop)
(ba-de-op-bop-bop)
(Oh lonesome me)
Well I bet she's not like me
She's out and fancy free
Flirting with the boys with all her charms
But I still love her so
And brother don't you know
I'd welcome her right back into my arms
Well there must be some way
I can lose these lonesome blues
Forget about the past and find somebody new
I've thought of everything from A to Z
Oh lonesome me
Oh lonesome me...
"Oh Lonesome Me" by Jerry Lee Lewis is a heart-wrenching ballad about a man who is struggling to get over a lost love. The song is about loneliness and heartache, as the singer is left alone while everyone else has gone out and is having fun. He is aware that he is making a mistake by staying home and is aware that he should be out having a good time as well. However, he is unable to shake off the pain of his heartbreak.
The singer is suffering from the loss of a woman who has left him. He is aware that she is probably out in the world, living her life, and flirting with other men. However, he still loves her and would welcome her back into his arms. He is struggling with letting go of the past and moving on, and this is causing him significant distress. The song speaks to the universal experience of heartache and the challenge of moving on from lost love.
Overall, "Oh Lonesome Me" is a beautiful and emotive song that speaks to the heartache that comes with lost love. The song captures the experience of being alone, struggling with heartbreak, and longing for the return of a past love. The song is a powerful reminder of the ways in which our emotions can impact our lives and our ability to move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody's going out and having fun
Everyone else is enjoying themselves and socializing
I'm just a fool for staying home and having none
I feel regretful and foolish for choosing to stay alone at home
I can't get over how she set me free
I am struggling to move on from the person who ended our relationship
Oh lonesome me
I am feeling very lonely and isolated
A bad mistake I'm making bout just hanging round
I am aware that I am making a mistake by not going out and having fun
I know that I should have some fun an paint the town
I understand that I should socialize and enjoy myself
A love sick fool that's blind and just can't see
I am emotionally blinded by my love and unable to see clearly
I'll bet she's not like me
I assume that my ex-partner is different from me
She's out an fancy free
She is likely out socializing and having fun without me
Flirting with the boys with all her charms
She is likely flirting and being charming with other people
But I still love her so
Despite everything, I still have strong feelings for my ex-partner
And brother don't you know
I want to emphasize and stress my point to others
I'd welcome her right back here in my arms
I would be happy to take my ex-partner back into my life
Well there must be some way
I am hopeful and looking for a solution to my loneliness
I can lose these lonesome blue
I need to overcome my loneliness and sadness
Forget about the past and find somebody new
I need to move on and look for a new relationship
I've thought of everything from A to Z
I have considered every possible solution or option
Oh lonesome me
I am still feeling lonely and isolated
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Don Gibson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@miltonmoore5294
Two uniquely
different showman/
pianists, but JLL
and Liberace were
the two greatest &
most talented of them all.
Personally, I
got much more
out of JLL, but
Liberace was also
a genius and has
his fans too. Fair
enough?
@MinuYTkanal
Very good version.
@ednazeyak5308
Iโve loved that song from the first time in heard Don Gibson sing it! Love Jerryโs version ๐ฅฐ
@kellydraper3433
The greatest
@michaelbickley6836
Michael bickley, says their will never be another , like jerry Lee Lewis he's a one of a kind.
@bennyjazzful
GOD
This man is so BLOODY BRILLIANT!!!
More so if you saw him live.
Had the pleasure to do that in the 60's in Melbourne,Australia & he was pure dynamite.
From a 72yo Aussie fan.
@kathyhenderson1950
Here here
@kathyhenderson1950
Yes he's so damm brilliant
@jeangueneron8177
The best version of Jerry Lee
@laurent.om1420
Good version, Don Gibson must be glad...
@PaulGaston88
Unfortunately, Don died many years ago...