Rankin's best-known composition, "Peaceful," was a major hit for Helen Reddy in 1973. He had a major fan in Johnny Carson, who had Rankin appear on "The Tonight Show" more than two dozen times. Carson wrote the liner notes for Rankin's 1967 debut album, "Mind Dusters."
Rankin died June 7, 2009, in Los Angeles. According to his management company, he was diagnosed with lung cancer three weeks earlier.
On and On
Kenny Rankin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They got lots of pretty women
Steal your money
Then they break your heart
Lonesome Sue
She's in love with ol' Sam
Take him from the fire
Into the frying pan
On and on
She just keeps on trying
And she smiles when
She feels like crying
On and on
On and on
On and on
Poor ol' Jimmy
Sits alone in the moonlight
Saw his woman
Kiss another man
So he takes a ladder
Steals the stars from the sky
Puts on Sinatra and
Starts to cry
On and on
He just keeps on trying
And he smiles when
He feels like crying
On and on
On and on
On and on
When the first time
Is the last time
It can make you feel so bad
But if you know it, show it
Hold on tight
Don't let her say goodnight
Got the sun on my shoulders
And my toes in the sand
My woman's left me for
The some other man
Aw, but I don't care
I'll just dream and stay tan
Toss up my heart to
See where it lands
On and on
I just keep on trying
And I smile when
I feel like dying
On and on
On and on
On and on
On and on
On and on
On and on
On and on
On and on
On and on
The lyrics of Kenny Rankin's "On and On" touch on a range of universal emotions, from heartbreak and betrayal to perseverance and resilience. The song's opening lines paint a picture of the risks and dangers of love in Jamaica, where pretty women can steal your money and break your heart. The character of Lonesome Sue is introduced, pining for her love, Sam, who seems to be a source of trouble for her. Despite the challenges, she keeps on trying, smiling through the tears.
The second verse tells of poor Jimmy, who witnesses his woman kissing another man and takes drastic, poetic action by stealing the stars from the sky to cry along with Frank Sinatra's songs. He too keeps on trying, despite the pain. The chorus, "On and on, she just keeps on trying, and she smiles when she feels like crying," resonates with anyone who has experienced heartbreak and knows the importance of holding on and persevering through it. The song's final verse tells of the singer's own experiences of love and loss, but again emphasizes resilience and the power of dreaming.
Overall, the lyrics of "On and On" are hopeful and optimistic in the face of adversity. They remind the listener that heartbreak is a common experience, but it is possible to keep on trying and finding joy and beauty in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Down in Jamaica
Jamaica is known for having attractive women, but they are also known for scamming people and breaking their hearts.
They got lots of pretty women
The singer is emphasizing the beauty of Jamaican women.
Steal your money
The singer is warning about the possibility of being scammed in Jamaica.
Then they break your heart
Even if someone falls in love with a Jamaican woman, there is a chance that they will end up getting their heart broken.
Lonesome Sue
The artist introduces a character named Lonesome Sue who is in love with ol' Sam.
She's in love with ol' Sam
Lonesome Sue has feelings for a man named Sam.
Take him from the fire
Lonesome Sue rescues Sam from a bad situation or prevents him from making a mistake.
Into the frying pan
However, by rescuing Sam, Lonesome Sue puts him into a new, potentially worse situation.
On and on
The chorus emphasizes the idea of persistence, despite challenges and difficulties.
She just keeps on trying
Despite the challenges, Lonesome Sue persists in her efforts to be with ol' Sam.
And she smiles when
Despite feeling sadness or frustration, Lonesome Sue puts on a brave face and tries to stay positive.
She feels like crying
Lonesome Sue is clearly feeling emotional or overwhelmed, but doesn't let it show on her face.
Poor ol' Jimmy
The singer introduces another character, Jimmy, who is struggling with sadness and betrayal.
Sits alone in the moonlight
Jimmy is having a moment of quiet reflection, likely feeling isolated or lonely.
Saw his woman
Jimmy was betrayed by the woman he loved.
Kiss another man
This woman was unfaithful with another man, making Jimmy feel devastated and helpless.
So he takes a ladder
Jimmy thinks about doing something drastic to get his ex-lover's attention.
Steals the stars from the sky
In his despair, Jimmy wants to take something beautiful and precious to him and keep it with him always.
Puts on Sinatra and
Jimmy turns to music to help soothe his troubled soul.
Starts to cry
Despite trying to distract himself from his heartbreak, Jimmy can't help but cry.
When the first time
The artist is talking about the first time someone falls in love.
Is the last time
Sometimes, a relationship can end before even getting started, making the first time the last time.
It can make you feel so bad
Having a promising relationship ending before it even begins can be incredibly painful and demoralizing.
But if you know it, show it
To prevent that pain, the artist is suggesting being upfront and honest about one's feelings to avoid heartache.
Hold on tight
If someone truly loves someone, they should try their best to hold on to them.
Don't let her say goodnight
The singer is imploring someone to take control of their relationship to do everything they can to make it work.
Got the sun on my shoulders
The singer is in a warm and sunny location.
And my toes in the sand
The artist is standing on a beach.
My woman's left me for
The artist is heartbroken because his lover has left him.
The some other man
The woman has left him for someone else which is causing him a lot of pain.
Aw, but I don't care
Despite his pain and misery, the singer is putting on a brave face.
I'll just dream and stay tan
The artist is trying to stay optimistic by imagining a brighter future and enjoying the sunshine.
Toss up my heart to
In this context, 'tossing up' means taking a chance or putting oneself out there.
See where it lands
By taking a chance and pursuing his dreams, the artist will see where his heart takes him.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: BILL MONROE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sclm55
Diddo.
I just found him after some years search as well.
Haven't heard Kenny's voice for over 30 or more years.
A few years or so ago. I remembered seeing and hearing sing on The Tonight show with Johnny Carson way back as a young man.
So did search for jazz singers on 'The Tonight Show' in 1970's" - and "Voilà!"...seventh search listing down!
There's that name that I could not remember for the life of me, now staring me in the face. Entered it in YouTube and again, "Voilà!"
Now listening to that silky smooth lilting voice of Kenny's.
Vrndavan Das Arzadon
Down in Jamaica
They got lots of pretty women
Steal your money
Then they break your heart
Lonesome Sue
She's in love with ol' Sam
Take him from the fire
Into the frying pan
On and on
She just keeps on trying
And she smiles when
She feels like crying
On and on
On and on
On and on
Poor ol' Jimmy
Sits alone in the moonlight
Saw his woman
Kiss another man
So he takes a ladder
Steals the stars from the sky
Puts on Sinatra and
Starts to cry
On and on
He just keeps on trying
And he smiles when
He feels like crying
On and on
On and on
On and on
When the first time
Is the last time
It can make you feel so bad
But if you know it, show it
Hold on tight
Don't let her say goodnight
Got the sun on my shoulders
And…
JON D. ELDER
Saw him live at the Baked Potato in LA. He mingled incognito with the audience outside before the show and asked if anyone knew who this Kenny Rankin guy was. No one recognized him. When he came out on the small stage, everyone just cracked up. Then he started singing and no one there would ever forget who he was or what a great singer and entertainer they had just had the pleasure of experiencing. I feel sad that he never really got the amount of recognition that he deserved. He was a one of a kind artist that will be with us always through his gift of music. Thanks for sharing your journey with us Kenny. You are sorely missed.
DBM brian
Yes Jon. A real master musician, expert guitarist. Not sure if you saw this before, but his talents and humble personality come through in this jazz TV show he did: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oyCuktbjO4
Jerry Del Norte
Nice kind of jazz music.
Wayne Musgrave
Kenny rankin
David Crocker
Back in the '70s Dinah Shore hosted a show on PBS where she introduced Kenny as "one of the great young interpreters of music" or words to that effect. I first heard Kenny on KOGO San Diego. Never saw him in person, but he's still a fave of mine.
Mark Blackburn
@David Crocker Thanks for sharing that great 'Dinah Shore loved him" anecdote, David Crocker. And thanks to Jon D. Elder for the evocative recollection triggering David's thoughts -- Jon's remembering how Kenny mixed "incognito with the [L.A.] audience before the show, asking if anyone knew who this Kenny Rankin guy was." Love it.
David Freud
This entire album is so musical. Such a pure voice. Such exquisite guitar playing. Such pure arrangements that support and elegantly dress up the songs. A true original. Kenny should have been on the general level of CSNY, James Taylor, and Cat Stevens while he was alive. I mean he was on that level of talent. His jazz vocal phrasing over pop tunes was unique. Even Paul McCartney preferred Kenny's version of Blackbird to his own version. High praise indeed. No one interpreted Beatles songs better than him. RIP Kenny - hopefully there will be a resurgence of interest in his artistry.
hound dawg
After 44 years of listening to this song, I still find myself swaying to the music!
John Johnson
Kenny Rankin was such a soulful, mellow dude. His voice is classic!
Damon van Buren
this album is in my collection. I still perform this song, this version at gigs. it mesmerizes the audience. people say Stephen Bishop, I say Kenny Rankin. they look at me like what?