Sacco was born in Glenwillard, Pennsylvania[1] and raised in suburban Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Sacco traveled to New York after graduating from Moon Area High School and found work as a session vocalist.
His sister Susan Christie had a minor hit with the novelty song "I Love Onions", which peaked at #63 on the Hot 100 in 1966.
Robbee and Roulette: 1961-1963
Sacco also recorded a few unsuccessful discs of his own for various record labels in both New York and Pittsburgh, most notably "The Jury" (as by "Lugee & The Lions") on the Pittsburgh-based Robbee label, which achieved local success. "The Gypsy Cried" features the vocal style that would characterize all of Christie's biggest hits: verses sung in his normal register, and then a dramatic shift to his falsetto on the choruses. That song was released in 1962 on the tiny C&C label and unexpectedly credited to 'Lou Christie' without Sacco's permission. Sacco had been working on a list of potential stage names, and he has stated that he hated the name for decades afterwards: "I was pissed off about it for 20 years. I wanted to keep my name and be a one-named performer, just 'Lugee'."
After the C&C release became a Pittsburgh hit, "The Gypsy Cried" was picked up by Roulette Records and charted nationwide, peaking at #24, selling over one million copies, and receiving a gold disc. "The Gypsy Cried" was the first of numerous songs Christie co-wrote with his songwriting partner Twyla Herbert, a self-described eccentric and mystic, who was over twenty years older than Christie but also shared his love of classical music. The two struck up a working relationship after Christie auditioned for her at the age of 15 and began a lifelong friendship which ended only with her death in 2009.
Christie's follow-up single, "Two Faces Have I" in March 1963, was an even bigger hit, peaking at #6 and also selling over a million copies. He joined Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars Tour. A third Roulette release, "How Many Teardrops" (written by Milan), stalled at #46 as Christie's career was temporarily derailed by his induction into the U.S. Army. (A copy of "How Many Teardrops" is included on the Milan compilation album Hell Bent for Leather.) Christie would not have another charting single for two and a half years.
Re-establishment and Rhapsody: 1965-1966
While a stint in the military might have ended the careers of many musicians, Christie's career was quickly re-established after his discharge when he signed with the MGM label. MGM reportedly disliked Christie's first single for the label, with MGM's president reportedly throwing the tape into a wastepaper basket. But Christie's new management promoted the record in California, and when it gained some traction (eventually reaching #2 on KHJ the last two weeks of 1965), MGM released it. "Lightnin' Strikes" reached #1 in the U.S. on Christie's 23rd birthday on February 19, 1966; entered the UK Top 20, becoming his first hit in that country; and peaked at number one in Canada.
But Christie's next release would ignite a firestorm of controversy and censorship. Released in the spring of 1966, "Rhapsody In The Rain" featured a haunting melody inspired by Tchaikovsky's "Romeo and Juliet", telling of a teenager's regret over his sexual experience in the back seat of a car during a rainstorm as the windshield wipers made a rhythmic sound of "together, together".[citation needed] Later after the romance ends, the wipers seem to say "never, never".[citation needed] Many radio stations banned the song, and MGM insisted on a re-recorded version that toned down the lyrical content.[citation needed] Despite the edited version, many stations instead played two older songs re-released by other labels Christie had once recorded for: "Outside the Gates of Heaven" (on Co & Ce Records, a successor to C&C) peaked at #45, while "Big Time" (on Colpix Records) managed to hit #95. All three singles hit nationally within three weeks of one another, in March 1966, while "Lightnin' Strikes" was falling off.
Whether it was the controversial lyrics or competition from the other singles released simultaneously, "Rhapsody" only managed to hit #16 in the U.S. and #37 in the UK. Christie's career seemed to be derailed once again as his followup for MGM, "Painter", which also borrowed a melody from classical music - this time from Puccini's opera Madame Butterfly - stalled at #81. Two further MGM releases (produced by Jack Nitzsche) from 1966 missed the Billboard Hot 100 entirely, even though "If My Car Could Only Talk" (peaking at #118) seemingly revisits the ill-fated lovers from Rhapsody.
Resurgence and Romeo: 1969-1970
After being dropped by MGM and an unfruitful stint with Columbia Records in the late 1960s, Christie teamed up with Buddah Records (a move prompted by his business manager Stan Polley) and bubblegum music record producer Tony Romeo and had a surprise Wall of Sound constant uptempo hit "I'm Gonna Make You Mine" (which Romeo wrote) in the early autumn of 1969. Helped by two promotional videos distinctly different from each other, the song peaked at #10 in the U.S. but across the Atlantic climbed to #2 on the UK Singles Chart and thus became his biggest hit there. A follow up, "She Sold Me Magic" charted only in the UK, peaking at #25, and was later covered by Elton John. Conversely, "Are You Getting Any Sunshine?" only charted in America, where it reached #73.
Recoveries and Remakes: 1971 to present
Christie spent the early 1970s in London, largely outside of the music industry and battling drug addiction. In 1971 he released a concept album called Paint America Love and was married in London to former UK beauty queen Francesca Winfield. In 1974, Christie would try another new musical style, going country on his Beyond The Blue Horizon album. The title track, a remake of a hit song from 1930, written for the film Monte Carlo, features one of Christie's strongest non-falsetto vocal performances.[citation needed] The song missed the Country charts entirely, and only made #80 on the pop chart, but managed a respectable showing at #12 on the Adult Contemporary chart. The song has been used in several film soundtracks, most notably in 1988's Rain Man.
After getting clean at a London drug rehabilitation clinic, he dropped out of the music industry, working variously as a ranch hand, offshore oil driller and carnival barker.[1]
Christie became active on the oldies circuit starting in the early 1980s, even scoring a final U.S. chart hit, credited as "Summer '81 medley" by The Cantina Band (featuring Lou Christie), in 1981 - and, coincidentally, peaking at #81, performing a medley of Beach Boys classics. In 1999 Christie recorded his first all-new album since the 1970s entitled Pledging My Love. In 2004 Christie released his first concert album, Greatest Hits Live From The Bottom Line, which featured studio recording "Christmas In New York" as a bonus track. In addition to the occasional new release, Christie remains a popular concert act on the oldies circuit in the U.S. and UK. He has also hosted a series of programs on SiriusXM radio for the 60's channel.
Summer Snow
Lou Christie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Snow (sha ooo ha oh) oh oh
Warm is the heart of a lover in (summertime ah, summertime ah)
Warm is the heart of a lover like a (summer sand oh, summer sand oh)
But when she walks in the sun with someone that's new
Suddenly summer snow will start to fall on you
Summer snow oh oh oh oh, falling, falling
Cold and alone is the feeling when you (walk the shore ah, walk the shore ah)
Cold and alone is the feeling when you (kiss some more ah, kiss some more ah)
But when she walks in the sun with someone that's new
Suddenly summer snow will start to fall on you
Summer snow oh oh oh oh, falling, falling
Snow (sha ooo ha oh) oh oh
Bright sun, no no no that's not for me
Tears Land, white summer for me
Snow oh oh oh oh, falling, falling
Snow (sha ooo ha oh) oh oh
(Sha ooo ha oh) wo
(Sha ooo ha oh) summer snow
(Sha ooo ha oh) wo
(Sha ooo ha oh) oh
Lou Christie's song "Summer Snow" is a poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of love in the summertime. The lyrics describe the warmth of a lover's heart and the joys of summer sand and walks in the sun. However, when that lover walks with someone new, the singer suddenly becomes cold and alone, feeling like they are walking on a shore of winter snow. The song changes from describing the beauty and warmth of the summer to a cold, lonely winter when love is lost.
The choice of "Summer Snow" as the title is interesting because it is an oxymoron. Snow is typically associated with cold and winter, while summer is associated with warmth and sunshine. The use of this phrase emphasizes the unexpected and painful nature of lost love. The repetition of "falling, falling" echoes the falling of snowflakes, and the use of "sha ooo ha oh" creates a haunting and melancholic melody that adds to the sorrowful mood of the song.
One curious aspect of "Summer Snow" is the singer's reluctance to embrace the brightness of a summer's day. Instead, he longs for a a land of tears and white summer, where he seems more comfortable. The contrast between the beauty of summer and the singer's preference for a solitary, melancholic existence creates a sense of isolation and sadness.
Line by Line Meaning
Summer snow oh oh oh oh, falling, falling
The feeling of love in summer that fades away suddenly like snow.
Snow (sha ooo ha oh) oh oh
The effect of being left alone in the cold and snowy winter, even in summer.
Warm is the heart of a lover in (summertime ah, summertime ah)
The feeling of warmth and joy when in love during the summer season.
Warm is the heart of a lover like a (summer sand oh, summer sand oh)
The feeling of warmth, comfort, and security that a lover brings during summer.
But when she walks in the sun with someone that's new
The sudden change in feelings when your lover walks away and finds someone new.
Suddenly summer snow will start to fall on you
The feeling of emptiness, sadness, and loneliness after being left alone during the summer season.
Cold and alone is the feeling when you (walk the shore ah, walk the shore ah)
The feeling of being alone, isolated, and dejected when walking on the shore, especially when your lover is gone.
Cold and alone is the feeling when you (kiss some more ah, kiss some more ah)
The feeling of being cold, lonely, and hurt, even when you try to kiss someone new after being left alone by your lover.
Bright sun, no no no that's not for me
The feeling of not wanting to enjoy the brightness and warmth of the sun because of the pain and sadness of being left alone.
Tears Land, white summer for me
The constant tears and sadness that make up the summer months for those who have been left alone and hurt by their lover.
Snow oh oh oh oh, falling, falling
The snow-like feeling of emptiness and loneliness that falls on someone after being left alone by their lover.
Snow (sha ooo ha oh) oh oh
The symbolic representation of the empty, cold, and isolated feeling that the person has after being left alone during summer.
(Sha ooo ha oh) wo
A continuation of the symbolic representation of the empty, cold, and isolated feeling that the person has after being left alone during summer.
(Sha ooo ha oh) summer snow
The metaphorical representation of the feeling of emptiness and loneliness like snow during summer.
(Sha ooo ha oh) wo
A final continuation of the symbolic representation of the empty, cold, and isolated feeling that the person has after being left alone during summer.
(Sha ooo ha oh) oh
The final note of the metaphorical representation of the feeling of emptiness and loneliness like snow during summer.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LOU CHRISTIE, TWYLA HERBERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@omarghad9865
Summer snow oh oh oh oh, falling, falling
Snow (sha ooo ha oh) oh oh
Warm is the heart of a lover in (summertime ah, summertime ah)
Warm is the heart of a lover like a (summer sand oh, summer sand oh)
But when she walks in the sun with someone that's new
Suddenly summer snow will start to fall on you
Summer snow oh oh oh oh, falling, falling
Snow (sha ooo ha oh) oh oh
Cold and alone is the feeling when you (walk the shore ah, walk the shore ah)
Cold and alone is the feeling when you (kiss some more ah, kiss some more ah)
But when she walks in the sun with someone that's new
Suddenly summer snow will start to fall on you
Summer snow oh oh oh oh, falling, falling
Snow (sha ooo ha oh) oh oh
Bright sun, no no no that's not for me
Tears Land, white summer for me
Snow oh oh oh oh, falling, falling
Snow (sha ooo ha oh) oh oh
(Sha ooo ha oh) wo
(Sha ooo ha oh) summer snow
(Sha ooo ha oh) wo
(Sha ooo ha oh) oh
@jessefortini4851
I was sitting at the table, enjoying a marlboro light and a coffee and this song came on. Made me think of my brother, who passed away.
@elliotmaster101
Whatever happened there
@jessefortini4851
@@elliotmaster101 wat eva happened there????
@cptgibbs4256
Passed away?! It was that animal blundetto! Billy couldn't even say his last words.
@6syns214
don't do it to yourself phil
@jjc1102
20 fuckin years, for what? To become a talking house?
@Nikoloz8787
After 20 fucking years, I finally found this song.
@maximilianj.gatsby5330
I wanted to listen to this song, i compromised. I repeated the scene in loop
@AndrewMFAult
20 years in the can! I Wanted Manicott', But I Compromised. I Ate Grilled Cheese Off The Radiator instead, while you all sit here and chit chat about a song with other jerk offs!
@aether4554
@@maximilianj.gatsby5330Gold.