While fronted by singer John Farnham from 1982–1986, the band's original members were Glenn Shorrock (vocals), Graeham Goble, Beeb Birtles and Ric Formosa (guitars and vocals), Roger McLachlan (bass) and Derek Pellicci (drums).
The group evolved from the harmony-rock group Mississippi in 1975. Prior to that, Birtles had been the bassist in 1960s pop band Zoot (which also included singer-guitarist Rick Springfield), and Shorrock had been the lead singer of leading Australian 60s pop band The Twilights and early 1970s country rock band Axiom.
They found immediate success in Australia, but individual members had greater ambitions. Like many other Australasian groups of the period, both Axiom and Mississippi had tried to break into the UK record market without success. Remembering the indifferent reaction they had received in the UK, they decided the new band would focus on establishing themselves in the United States.
A key factor in their eventual success was their manager Glenn Wheatley, who had been the bassist in the highly-regarded Australian rock band The Masters Apprentices. Wheatley's first-hand experiences of the rip-offs in the 1960s music scene, combined with his subsequent experience working in music management in Britain and the United States in the early 1970s, enabled him to help LRB become the first Australian group to enjoy sustained commercial and chart success in the United States.
Fuelled by a very successful Australian hit single "Curiosity Killed The Cat", the band began making promotional visits to the US in 1976. This resulted in a hit single, "It's A Long Way There", which broke into the Top 30 and galvanised the commitment of the band members. More concert performances in the US followed, and in 1977 "Help Is On Its Way" (an Australian number one single) and "Happy Anniversary"[4] both narrowly missed the US Top 10. During this period McLachlan left the group and was replaced by George McArdle while lead guitarist Formosa was replaced by David Briggs.
From 1978 until 1981, Little River Band achieved six consecutive US Top 10 singles with "Reminiscing", "Lady", "Lonesome Loser", "Cool Change", "The Night Owls" and "Take It Easy On Me". During their career the band have sold more than 25 million records and scored 13 American Top 40 hits.
Bassist/vocalist Wayne Nelson joined in 1980 and is currently the lead singer. In 1981 he sang lead vocals on their top ten US hit "Night Owls". Guitarist Stephen Housden joined the band in 1981 replacing David Briggs. Housden owns the rights to the name Little River Band. He co-wrote the band's last hit in Australia "Love is a Bridge".
In 1982 Shorrock was forced out of the band and went on to pursue a solo career. He failed to make an impression in the U.S., but he had a substantial hit in Australia with a cover version of Bobby Darin's "Dream Lover".
The pressures of success and constant touring gradually took their toll on LRB and members gradually left. John Farnham replaced Shorrock in 1982 and the first single with Farnham, "The Other Guy" reached #11 in the US. Subsequent singles were only minor hits. In Australia the band continued to be popular and songs such as "Down On The Border", "Playing To Win" and "Love is a Bridge" were major hits. Farnham's popularity in Australia was increasing at this time, and he left the band to return to his solo career, achieving huge success in Australia (he was also managed by Wheatley).
Birtles left in 1983 because he did not like the direction the band was taking and he was not a fan of Farnham's onstage performance. Farnham left in 1986 to be replaced by the returning Shorrock. Goble left the group in 1990. Shorrock left again in 1996; he was offered the option to buy out the remaining members but he decided instead to take a payment. Derek Pellicci left the band in 1999.
Little River Band are considered to be among Australia's most significant bands. The "classic lineup" of the band (Birtles, Shorrock, Goble, Pellicci, Briggs and McArdle) were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame at the 18th Annual ARIA Music Awards of 2004. They performed "Help Is On Its Way" that night.
Three founding members, Birtles, Shorrock and Goble, continue to perform reunion concerts but due to the fact they lost the rights to the name Little River Band, they appear under the name Birtles Shorrock Goble: The Original Voices of Little River Band.
"Reminiscing", written by Goble, was recognised by BMI as one of the most frequently played songs in the history of American radio, with more than four million plays to its credit. "Lady" has also accumulated more than three million plays, and Goble is the first and only Australian songwriter ever to win a Four "Million Air" award from BMI. According to Albert Goldman's biography, John Lennon named "Reminiscing" as one of his favorite songs.
Little River Band continues to work in the US and performs around 100 shows every year.
Lonesome Loser
Little River Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Beaten by the Queen of Hearts every time.
Have you heard about the Lonesome Loser?
He's a loser but he still keeps on trying.
Sit down, take a look at yourself
Don't you want to be somebody?
Someday somebody's gonna see inside
Have you heard about the Lonesome Loser?
Beaten by the Queen of Hearts every time.
Have you heard about the Lonesome Loser?
He's a loser but he still keeps on trying.
Unlucky at love at least that's what they say
He lost his head and he gambled his heart away
He still keeps searching though there's nothing left
Staked his heart and lost, now he has to pay the cost
Have you heard about the Lonesome Loser?
Beaten by the Queen of Hearts every time.
Have you heard about the Lonesome Loser?
He's a loser but he still keeps on trying.
"It's okay." he smiles and says
But this loneliness is driving him crazy.
He don't show what goes on in his head
But if you watch very close you'll see it all
Sit down, take a look at yourself
Don't you want to be somebody?
Someday somebody's gonna see inside
You have to face up, you can't run and hide.
Have you heard about the Lonesome Loser?
Now tell me have you heard about the Lonesome Loser?
The lyrics to Little River Band's song Lonesome Loser tell the story of a man who is consistently beaten by the Queen of Hearts in matters of love; he is an unlucky loser who keeps trying to find love, but he keeps getting his heart broken. The opening line of the song is a rhetorical question that asks if we are familiar with the Lonesome Loser - this indicates that he is a well-known figure who is a loser in matters of love. The lyrics illustrate that this man is unhappy and lonely, but he keeps trying. He's a gambler and he's lost his heart because of it. However, despite his losses and heartbreaks, he continues searching for love.
The second stanza provides words of encouragement to the Lonesome Loser and others like him. It emphasizes the importance of having self-confidence and being confident enough to be somebody. The song suggests that someone will someday see inside and understand the pain that the Lonesome Loser is going through. The song is a cautionary tale of love and gambling, and it encourages people struggling with their relationships to take a deep look at themselves and become the best version of themselves. Overall, the song advocates for perseverance and self-improvement.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you heard about the Lonesome Loser?
Do you know about the person who always loses and is alone?
Beaten by the Queen of Hearts every time.
Defeated by someone who has won his heart, repeatedly.
Have you heard about the Lonesome Loser?
Do you know about the person who always loses and is alone?
He's a loser but he still keeps on trying.
Despite the losses, he keeps trying to win and be happy.
Sit down, take a look at yourself
Stop and reflect on your life.
Don't you want to be somebody?
Don't you want to be successful, loved and happy?
Someday somebody's gonna see inside
One day someone will understand and appreciate you.
You have to face up, you can't run and hide.
Don't ignore your problems, confront them.
Have you heard about the Lonesome Loser?
Do you know about the person who always loses and is alone?
Beaten by the Queen of Hearts every time.
Defeated by someone who has won his heart, repeatedly.
Have you heard about the Lonesome Loser?
Do you know about the person who always loses and is alone?
He's a loser but he still keeps on trying.
Despite the losses, he keeps trying to win and be happy.
Unlucky at love at least that's what they say
The world thinks he's unlucky in love.
He lost his head and he gambled his heart away
He lost his mind and took risks with his heart.
He still keeps searching though there's nothing left
He still looks for love even when it seems impossible.
Staked his heart and lost, now he has to pay the cost
He risked everything and now he has to deal with the consequences.
Have you heard about the Lonesome Loser?
Do you know about the person who always loses and is alone?
Beaten by the Queen of Hearts every time.
Defeated by someone who has won his heart, repeatedly.
Have you heard about the Lonesome Loser?
Do you know about the person who always loses and is alone?
He's a loser but he still keeps on trying.
Despite the losses, he keeps trying to win and be happy.
"It's okay." he smiles and says
He pretends to be fine.
But this loneliness is driving him crazy.
However, the loneliness is really affecting him negatively.
He don't show what goes on in his head
He doesn't let others see what he's really feeling.
But if you watch very close you'll see it all
If you pay attention, you'll notice his pain and struggles.
Sit down, take a look at yourself
Stop and reflect on your life.
Don't you want to be somebody?
Don't you want to be successful, loved and happy?
Someday somebody's gonna see inside
One day someone will understand and appreciate you.
You have to face up, you can't run and hide.
Don't ignore your problems, confront them.
Have you heard about the Lonesome Loser?
Do you know about the person who always loses and is alone?
Now tell me have you heard about the Lonesome Loser?
So, have you heard about the person who always loses and is alone?
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID JOHN BRIGGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pevensielavere9451
"Beaten by the queen of hearts EVERY TIME."
"He lost his head and he gambled his heart away...
Staked his heart and lost, now he has to pay the cost.
It's okay, he smiles and says, though this loneliness is driving him crazy.
He don't show what goes on in his head, but if you watch very close you'll see it all."
I love everything about this song, always have, always will!!!!!!!!!!
:-*
@jasonruhland6466
Everytime I hear the opening vocals I am transported back to 1979. Amazing piece of music in composition and execution.
@charlesclark6465
I Ferry man I'm 69 still alive and kicking over here at a nice rest home in Fort Mill South Carolina check you later man
@boltonious
Transport = great word!! Well said 😊🎉me too
@andrewfrantz5502
Back in the old days the disc jockey would say "Lonesome Loser, by The Little River Band, and Donna Summer did "Dim all the Lights."
@karenquinn1707
LRB was a huge part of my adolescence and young adulthood. I had all of their albums. I still love to listen to them @ 60! A great gift from Australia to the whole world!
@michaelmoon4248
I'm 67 and still lovin' LRB...
@phantom0456
The best gift that Australia has given to the world is Mike Brady. He’s my best good boat friend…
My only boat friend.
@WrestlingHeretic
This is a great song. It strikes me as a hybrid of Beach Boys harmonies, Kansas instrumentals and Supertramp lead vocals and lyrics. Definitely a product of its time.
@tackywhale5664
As someone who was born in 1998 and raised music-wise on tunes from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, I often listen carefully to the lyrics of these songs (this one included) and often find that they are a unique form of insight into real life situations that can still be applied to similar situations of today.
@servantgeorge1700
Amen... and I was born in 1960: I know what you're talking about.