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.
Room Full Of Roses
Mickey Gilley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For every time you made me blue
You'd have a room full of roses
And If I sent a rose of white
For every time I cried all night
You'd have a room full of roses
And if I took the petals
I'd be tearing at the roses
Just the way you broke my heart
If someday you're feeling blue
And you could send a roses, maybe too
Don't send me a room full of roses
But I want my arms around you
And if I took the petals
I would tear them all apart
I'd be tearing at the roses
Just the way you broke my heart
If someday you're feeling blue
And you could send a roses, maybe too
Don't send me a room full of roses
But I want my arms around you
The lyrics of "Room Full of Roses" by Mickey Gilley express the heartbreak and pain that the singer has experienced in his relationship with his partner. The song plays with the idea of sending roses as a symbol of love and affection, but in this case, the roses represent pain and hurt.
The singer states that if he were to send a rose for every time his partner made him feel blue, she would have a room full of roses. This serves as a metaphor for the many moments and experiences that have caused pain in their relationship. The singer then goes on to say that if he were to send a white rose for every time he cried all night, she would once again have a room full of roses. This suggests that the pain is not just one-sided and that the singer has also suffered greatly in the relationship.
The chorus of the song expresses the feelings of anger and frustration that the singer has towards his partner. If he were to take the petals of the roses and tear them apart, it would be similar to how his heart has been broken. The final verse suggests that the relationship is not over and that the singer still wants to be with his partner. However, instead of sending a room full of roses as a symbol of her love, he simply wants her to be in his arms.
Overall, the lyrics of "Room Full of Roses" convey a complex mixture of love, pain, and heartbreak. The metaphor of the roses adds depth and meaning to the song, expressing the various emotions that come with a difficult relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
If I sent a rose to you
If I gave you a rose
For every time you made me blue
For every time you made me sad or upset
You'd have a room full of roses
You would have a lot of roses
And If I sent a rose of white
And if I gave you a white rose
For every time I cried all night
For every time I stayed up all night crying
You'd have a room full of roses
You would have a lot of roses
And if I took the petals
And if I removed the petals
I would tear them all apart
I would rip them all to pieces
I'd be tearing at the roses
I would be destroying the roses
Just the way you broke my heart
Just like you broke my heart
If someday you're feeling blue
If you ever feel sad
And you could send a roses, maybe too
And you want to give me roses, maybe also
Don't send me a room full of roses
Don't give me a lot of roses
But I want my arms around you
But I want to hug you
And if I took the petals
And if I removed the petals
I would tear them all apart
I would rip them all to pieces
I'd be tearing at the roses
I would be destroying the roses
Just the way you broke my heart
Just like you broke my heart
If someday you're feeling blue
If you ever feel sad
And you could send a roses, maybe too
And you want to give me roses, maybe also
Don't send me a room full of roses
Don't give me a lot of roses
But I want my arms around you
But I want to hug you
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Tim Spencer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jamesdunn9714
Rest in peace Mickey. You gave us many wonderful songs, like this gem from way back in 1974. You were one of a kind.
@makoshark69x96
This is good Music ? Good enough to be Number 1 ? 😂
@carsonfarist8590
Amen hallelujah praise GOD turn to the LORD and have all
@nindyhunt
RIP dear Mickey, I grew up hearing you my whole childhood.
@jayfox4239
Moved to Texas When family moved here in 1967. Was 18 have lived my adult life in Dallas. At first not a fan of Country. But now lm all bout it.And Mickey Gilley was a Country legend.May he Rest in Peace
@hilde1945
This is by far the best version of this song I have ever heard, no one sings it like Mickey Gilley.
@charlieedmonds1614
Hildegard Schaefer Damn Right
@mbdcia9772
'cept maybe Ken Curtiss and the Sons of the Pioneers
@mattjahnke239
No one ever will sing it better than Mickey Gilley! Ever.
@Maverick2
RIP Mickey