He was performing very much in the rock n roll piano style of his cousin Jerry Lee Lewis (and another cousin, the Reverend Jimmy Swaggart). He formed his own label, Astro in 1964 and cut an album named after a Lewis success "Down the Line". Re-issued on Paula, the album was a regional hit. The big time, however, continued to elude him although he had a minor hit with "Now I Can Live Again" from the album. At an Astro session he laid down a version of George Morgan's old hit "Room Full of Roses" which attracted airplay locally and was picked up for national release by Hugh Heffner's Playboy label. It hit No. 1 in the Country charts. After 12 further hits with the label, Playboy was taken over by Epic and Gilley moved there for his most consistent run of album and singles success.
He was now performing straight-up piano-led Country material. Gradually, he moved towards a more pop-orientated sound in the 1980s, which brought him further success on not just the Country charts, but also the Pop charts. Before that, however, he had a string of Country hits throughout the 70s, often revivals like "I Overlooked An Orchid" (Carl Smith - No. 1, 1974), "City Lights" (Bill Anderson - No. 1 1975), "Window Up Above" (George Jones - No. 1 1975), "Bring It On Home" (Sam Cooke - No. 1 1976). His mix of rockabilly, honky tonk and uptown Country provided more hits with "Chains of Love" (No. 9, 1977) "Honky Tonk Memories" (No. 4, 1977) and "Here Comes The Hurt Again" (No. 9,1978).
In all, Gilley had 33 Top 10 singles, 17 of which reached No. 1, on the US Country chart between 1974 and 1986. Amongst the biggest hits were "Don't the Girls All Get Prettier at Closing Time,"(No. 1) "Overnight Sensation" (No. 7, both 1976), remakes of the Ben E King hit "Stand By Me" and Buddy Holly's "True Love Ways" (both No. 1s in 1980).
In 1971 he lent his name to the opening the famous country nightclub Gilley's in Pasadena, Texas. His career received a big boost when both the club and his music featured prominently in the 1980 film "Urban Cowboy". The soundtrack included the Buddy Holly cover which went to No. 1. The club closed in 1989 and the building was heavily damaged by arson later that year. A new Gilley's club opened in 2003 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. And Gilley's Theatre and Diner in Branson saw the singer take up a successful residency in that Missouri city.
His most recent successful recording activity was in 1988 when he released "Chasin' Rainbows" on Airborne which produced his last Top 40 single to date when "She Reminded Me Of You" reached No 23 in the Country charts.
In July 2009, Gilly suffered a back injury in a fall and was airlifted to Houston for medical treatment but subsequently returned to Branson and performing in his theatre there. He has a Facebook information page on which he sends regular video messages to members. A recent joint biography about the three cousins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggert and Mickey, called "Unconquered" by J D Davis is a must for any fan of their music, rock n roll, Country and gospel music.
I Overlooked An Orchid
Mickey Gilley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It thrills the fairest lady of the land
If placed beside a blushing rose the rose could not compare
But how was such as I, to understand.
I overlooked an orchid while searching for a rose
The orchid that I overlooked was you.
The rose that I was searching for has proved to be untrue
The rose has lost its color, but the orchid stays the same
And I'm alone to face these lonely years
I didn't see the orchid, I was searching for a rose
And now I pay the price with bitter tears.
I overlooked an orchid while searching for a rose
The orchid that I overlooked was you
The rose that I was searching for has proved to be untrue
The orchid that I find my dear was you.
The orchid that I find my dear was you
The song "I Overlooked an Orchid" by Mickey Gilley is a classic country ballad that explores the theme of regret, loss, and hindsight. The lyrics focus on Gilley's realization that he overlooked a valuable, beautiful thing (an orchid) while searching for something else (a rose), and he's now paying the price for his mistake. The metaphor of the orchid and the rose represents a missed opportunity for love, and how one can easily miss the beauty of what's right in front of them while seeking something else.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the song, as Gilley sings about the captivating beauty of an orchid, a flower that can outshine even the prettiest rose. However, he admits that he couldn't understand this at the time, and instead focused on his search for a rose. In the second stanza, Gilley realizes that the rose he found wasn't what he was looking for, and it proved to be untrue. Meanwhile, the orchid he overlooked turns out to be what he was truly searching for.
The final stanza reveals the consequences of his mistake; the rose has lost its color, and Gilley is left alone with bitter tears. He didn't see the value of the orchid until it was too late, and now it is too late to make amends. The song ultimately highlights the importance of recognizing the value of something before it's too late to act upon it.
Line by Line Meaning
A orchid is a flower that blooms so tenderly
An orchid is a delicate flower that blossoms with great beauty
It thrills the fairest lady of the land
This flower can captivate the hearts of even the most beautiful women
If placed beside a blushing rose the rose could not compare
Even when compared to the common rose, the orchid is unparalleled in its loveliness
But how was such as I, to understand.
But someone like me could never appreciate its true worth
I overlooked an orchid while searching for a rose
I missed out on something wonderful while looking for something else
The orchid that I overlooked was you.
I failed to realize that you were the beautiful thing I was searching for
The rose that I was searching for has proved to be untrue
The thing I thought I was looking for turned out to be false or disappointing
The orchid that I find my dear was you.
But now I realize that you were the beautiful thing I was looking for all along
The rose has lost its color, but the orchid stays the same
The thing I was originally searching for has lost its appeal, while you remain beautiful and unchanged
And I'm alone to face these lonely years
I am left with regret and sadness since I didn't recognize your beauty and now must live with it
And now I pay the price with bitter tears.
I must live with the consequences of my mistake, and it brings me great sorrow
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: SHIRLEY LYN, CARL SMITH, CARL STORY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mark Ackerley
Hi my ma has dementia, she started singing this song, my dad used to sing it for her, so i played it for n she started singing along with it. It was a precious moment. Thank u💖😢🌻
Momma Stone
Awww 😓
Happy Me
How beautiful for both of you.
shawn r
God bless you my grandmother died Easter Sunday and she absolutely loved MG. We made a joke that she told god I need him up here now and it was time lol. She also had dementia / Alzheimer’s and I know the suffering of that.
David Adams
LOVE THAT YOUNG LADY is precious
melo
Aew
farmalmta
"...and I'm alone to face these lonely years"... doesn't get any more heart-wrenchingly Country than that. This song, coupled with Room Full of Roses is Mickey Gilley's finest one-two combination ever.
Debra Williams
I love this song and love hearing Mickey Gilley singing it too. He does A fantastic job. Thanks for sharing!
nurse joy
Debra Williams you're welcome , thanks for listening !
Marilyn Scott
RIP Mickey Gilley 05/07/2022. My mother is in heaven also. She loved your music.