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.
Lawdy Miss Clawdy
Mickey Gilley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gal, you sure are lookin' good to me
Well, now please don't excite me baby
I know it can't be me.
Well, I give you all of my money
But you just won't treat me right
You like to bowl every morning
I'm gonna tell, tell my momma
Girl what you been doing to me
I'm gonna tell everybody
That I'm down in misery.
Well, lawdy, lawdy, lawdy Miss Clawdy
Gal, you sure are lookin' good to me
Well, now please don't excite me baby
I know it can't be me.
Well, I give you all of my money
But you just won't treat me right
You like to bowl every morning
Don't come home 'til late at night.
Well bye, bye, bye baby
Girl I won't be comin' no more
Goodye little darling
And down the road I go.
Well bye, bye, bye baby
Girl I won't be comin' no more
Goodye little darling
And down the road I go...
The song "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" by Mickey Gilley is a classic rock and roll tune about a man's frustration with his lover's neglect. The lyrics describe the man's disappointment in his partner's priorities, as she spends her time bowling and neglects their relationship. Despite the man's attempts to win her over with his money, she remains uninterested in him, leading him to feel down in misery. The chorus repeats the titular phrase of "Lawdy, lawdy, lawdy Miss Clawdy" as the man expresses his admiration for her looks, but acknowledges that he will not be able to win her over.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, lawdy, lawdy, lawdy Miss Clawdy
Wow, Miss Clawdy, you're looking absolutely stunning
Gal, you sure are lookin' good to me
You're looking so attractive to me, like a star from the sky
Well, now please don't excite me baby
Please calm down and don't make me too excited
I know it can't be me
I know you're not really interested in me
Well, I give you all of my money
I spend all my money on you
But you just won't treat me right
But you don't reciprocate my love and affection
You like to bowl every morning
You enjoy activities that don't include me
Don't come home 'til late at night
You return late at night, leaving me anxiously waiting for your arrival
I'm gonna tell, tell my momma
I'm going to tell my mother about how you've been treating me
Girl what you been doing to me
About the way you've been making me feel
I'm gonna tell everybody
I'll make sure everyone knows
That I'm down in misery
I'm deeply unhappy and distressed
Well bye, bye, bye baby
Well, goodbye my love
Girl I won't be comin' no more
I won't be coming back, no matter what
Goodye little darling
Farewell, my sweet love
And down the road I go
I'll be moving forward in my life without you
Contributed by Kaitlyn C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.