Of Cajun ancestry, Preston sang in high school choral contests throughout the state of Texas. He formed a rock and roll band called 'The Shades', before recording his No. 1 hit single "Running Bear." The song was written in 1958 by J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, who had died the previous year in the same plane crash that killed Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens.
Preston quickly followed up with a minor hit called "Cradle of Love," and made several other records during the early 1960s that met with modest success.
"Cradle of Love" however, was a big hit in Athens, Greece in the early 60s.
Preston's pioneering contribution to the genre was recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. He also performed at Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater in Branson, Missouri. In 2009 and 2010, Preston performed with the Lamar State College (LSCPA)Touring Band at Lamar State College- Port Arthur, in his hometown.
Johnny Preston's pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Preston died of heart failure in Beaumont, Texas on March 4, 2011.
City of Tears
Johnny Preston Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lights are dim
I'm alone
You're with him
My life is worthless
Without you dear
That's why
I live in the city of tears
There is no laughter
There is no love
There are no stars up above
Nothing but sorrow
Awaits me here
I walk alone
In the city of tears
I walk the streets
In search of a love
In search of a love
That is gone
Forever and ever
I'll continue my search
Whatever be the cost
Well, in this torment
Trouble and strife
I'll cast my heart
On the waves of life
Then all my heartaches
Will disappear
I'll no longer
Live in the city of tears.
In Johnny Preston's song "City of Tears," the lyrics convey heartbreak and loneliness. The song opens with the singer describing how the streets are empty and how the lights are dim, conveying the atmosphere of despair. The singer is alone, while his lover is with someone else, which amplifies his sorrow. He states that his life is worthless without his lover, which prompts him to seek refuge in the "City of Tears."
The chorus then reveals to us that the city is a place of sadness and misery. There's no laughter, no love, and not even the stars above. The singer walks the streets in search of love that is forever gone, believing that he'll find it eventually. The verse ends with the singer willing to pay whatever it costs to find love again.
In the second verse, the singer continues searching for love, which is a recurring theme in the song. Despite being in turmoil, the singer remains determined and casts his heart on the waves of life, hoping that his heartaches will disappear. The verse ends with the singer vowing to leave the city of tears and reclaim his life's happiness.
Overall, "City of Tears" is a bittersweet song that explores the pain that comes with losing someone you love. The singer's determination to find love again gives hope to listeners who might be going through a similar ordeal.
Line by Line Meaning
The streets are empty
The streets are deserted and bare, lacking any sign of life.
The lights are dim
The lights are faint and gloomy, creating a dismal atmosphere.
I'm alone
I am isolated without anyone to share my thoughts and emotions.
You're with him
You are in a relationship with someone else, causing me to feel envious and heartbroken.
My life is worthless
My existence is meaningless and insignificant without you.
That's why I live in the city of tears
I am stuck in a place of misery and heartbreak, unable to escape the pain of losing you.
There is no laughter
There is no joy or merriment to be found in this desolate location.
There is no love
There is a complete absence of love or affection in this city of despair.
There are no stars up above
The sky is blank and empty, reflecting the lack of happiness and hope in this place.
Nothing but sorrow awaits me here
The future holds nothing but sadness and heartache for me in this city of tears.
I walk alone
I am entirely by myself, with no companion to comfort me.
In search of a love that is gone forever and ever
I am seeking a love that has disappeared forever and will never return, causing me immense pain and suffering.
I'll continue my search whatever be the cost
I will relentlessly pursue this love, no matter what consequences it may bring.
Well, in this torment trouble and strife
In the midst of this anguish and struggle, I will persevere and remain strong.
I'll cast my heart on the waves of life
I will let go of my sorrow and heartache, allowing myself to be carried away by the twists and turns of life.
Then all my heartaches will disappear
All of the pain and sorrow that I have experienced will vanish, and I will be free from the misery of the past.
I'll no longer live in the city of tears.
I will finally escape the sorrow and misery of this city, and find a new life full of joy and love.
Writer(s): j.p. richardson
Contributed by Ryan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@royandjacqueline1294
Our local radio station
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Such a lovely voice.
Absolutely beautiful.
Merry CHRISTmas!!
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@CanalSergioAlvarez
Boyjohn, the song is wonderful!
@thedarkknight1357
Another beautiful song sung by Johnny and written by The Big Bopper.
@royandjacqueline1294
Our local radio station
brought us here π»πΆπ
Such a lovely voice.
Absolutely beautiful.
Merry CHRISTmas!!
ππππππ
ππππππ
ππ π»π€Άπ»π·π«π
βοΈβοΈππππ°
πΈπ»πππ¬π§ππΈπ»
π₯°π―π²π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ ΏποΈπ₯βοΈ
@AntaresBottia
A first for me.... amazing. Thank you John.
@MrLonelysoul55
I walk the streets alone in the search of a love that is lost in the city of tears .
@colinpurssey9875
Just one word : sublime !
@doowopmitzmitz
I think I played this side more than the other back then!!!!!
@colinpurssey9875
Breathtakingly haunting ! Makes the hairs on the back of my neck bristle !! And I concur with other sentiments expressed here-it is indeed even better than the more celebrated A-side, "Cradle Of Love".
@apriltimson3593
i always loved this song - when i made a cover for the record, i made this the a- side
@davyboy232
i think this is a better song than the a side which is cradle of love