Band members Mark Wystrach, Jess Carson, and Cameron Duddy wrote the song with Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne, both of whom co-produced the recording with Dann Huff. Midland's road band guitarist Luke Cutchen plays lead guitar, and session musician Paul Franklin contributes on pedal steel guitar.
Marissa R. Moss of Rolling Stone Country described the song as " a mischievous, Texas dance hall-inspired tune in the spirit of Eddie Rabbitt" and "a tongue-in-cheek ode to embracing the role of the being someone’s late-night phone call when their other date went south." Taste of Country writer Jacklyn Krol said of the song that "The beat is retro country, but the song's lyric about a charming rogue trying to hook up with other men's women is relevant to any period" and called it an "uptempo country hall dance tune".
Duddy directed the song's music video, which features Dennis Quaid portraying a protagonist who is attacked by a number of women while Midland performs the song.
Mr. Lonely
Midland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And mamas from the PTA
We got bachelorettes dressed up in white
And little black dress divorces
Long live the blues
They're keeping me in business
Some wanna dance and some wanna party
Mr. Lonely, Mr. Good-Time
Mr. One-You're-Gonna-Want-On-A-Saturday-Night
When you're lonely, lying in the dark
I'm the number that you know by broken heart
No, I ain't Mr. Right, I'm Mr. Right-Now
The one all the girls are talking about
The one and only, Mr. Lonely
Yeah, some are in from out of town
Just lookin' for some fun
For a couple of hours or more
Yeah, I can be the one
Long live the blues
I'm booked up to November
You can find me in the book or on a bathroom wall
When they all want a rendezvous, they call
Mr. Lonely, Mr. Good-Time
Mr. One-You're-Gonna-Want-On-A-Saturday-Night
When you're lonely, lying in the dark
I'm the number that you know by broken heart
No, I ain't Mr. Right, I'm Mr. Right-Now
The one all the girls are talking about
The one and only, Mr. Lonely
Oh, play that steel, Paul
So if you got a girl, you better treat her right
You better never tell a lie
You better never start a fight
'Cause when she hangs up on you
Guess who's on the other line?
He's never hard to find
Mr. Lonely, Mr. Good-Time
Mr. One-You're-Gonna-Want-On-A-Saturday-Night
When you're lonely, lying in the dark
I'm the number that you know by broken heart
No, I ain't Mr. Right, I'm Mr. Right-Now
The one all the girls are talking about
The one and only, Mr. Lonely
The one and only, Mr. Lonely
Long live the blues
The song "Mr. Lonely" by Midland is a reflective piece that showcases the life of a man who goes by the names "Mr. Lonely," "Mr. Good-Time," and "Mr. One-You're-Gonna-Want-On-A-Saturday-Night." The singer in this song is a self-proclaimed man of the town who caters to a particular group of women. The song describes the different women who seek his company, such as debutantes, bachelorettes, socialites, and divorcees, all of whom want to fill a void in their lives with Mr. Lonely's company.
The refrain "No, I ain't Mr. Right, I'm Mr. Right-Now," speaks volumes about the character's perception of himself. He understands that he is not a man that these women will settle down with or introduce to their families. Instead, he is their temporary fix for the loneliness they feel in their lives. Despite his seemingly nonchalant attitude, he acknowledges that the blues have kept him in business and that he is always in high demand.
Overall, "Mr. Lonely" is a song that explores the complexities of human emotion and the loneliness that plagues many people, despite their social or economic standing. It also speaks to the idea that sometimes people are just looking for companionship, even if it's temporary.
Line by Line Meaning
We got debutantes and socialites
We have a variety of clients, including upper-class debutantes and socialites.
And mamas from the PTA
We also have mothers who are members of the Parent-Teacher Association.
We got bachelorettes dressed up in white
We cater to unmarried women who are dressed in bridal apparel.
And little black dress divorces
We also have divorced women in black cocktail dresses.
Long live the blues
My business relies on people's heartaches and sorrows.
They're keeping me in business
People's emotional pain is the reason I have a thriving business.
Some wanna dance and some wanna party
Some clients want me to provide them with a good time by going out dancing or attending parties.
Whatever they need, they call me
All my clients come to me for whatever they lack - be it love or companionship.
Mr. Lonely, Mr. Good-Time
I am known as Mr. Lonely or Mr. Good-Time.
Mr. One-You're-Gonna-Want-On-A-Saturday-Night
I'm the one you're going to want on a Saturday night.
When you're lonely, lying in the dark
When you're alone in bed at night, feeling broken and in despair,
I'm the number that you know by broken heart
you know my phone number because I am the one who can comfort you when your heart is broken.
No, I ain't Mr. Right, I'm Mr. Right-Now
I'm not the perfect man for you, but I'm the one you can have right now to help you cope.
The one all the girls are talking about
I'm the one who is the subject of conversation among all the single ladies.
The one and only, Mr. Lonely
I'm the only one who fills the void of loneliness for my clients.
Yeah, some are in from out of town
Some of my clients are visitors to this town.
Just lookin' for some fun
They are searching for some excitement and enjoyment.
For a couple of hours or more
It doesn't matter whether it's just for a few hours or more than that.
Yeah, I can be the one
I am the one who can provide them with what they're looking for.
I'm booked up to November
I have so many clients that I am fully booked until November.
You can find me in the book or on a bathroom wall
You can find my phone number in local directories or scribbled on the walls of public restrooms.
When they all want a rendezvous, they call
When my clients want to make an appointment with me, they give me a call.
Oh, play that steel, Paul
Change the mood and give us some music, Paul.
So if you got a girl, you better treat her right
If you have a girlfriend, remember to treat her with respect.
You better never tell a lie
Never tell her a lie or deceive her in any way.
You better never start a fight
Avoid getting into arguments or fights with her.
'Cause when she hangs up on you
If she ever hangs up on you in anger,
Guess who's on the other line?
I will be the one on the other end of the phone if she's looking for a way out of her loneliness.
He's never hard to find
I'm easily found by anyone who needs me.
The one and only, Mr. Lonely
I am the one and only Mr. Lonely for all my clients.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cameron Thomas Duddy, Jess Carson, Josh Osborne, Mark C. Wystrach, Shane L. McAnally
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dan Yates
Midland just can’t make a bad song
Cali Emm
Cz they keep it traditional country!!!
Christina Carr
Facts!
Cindy Enos
I agree
Kumori Kozen
if they did, we'd call them odessa!
Samu M
Big facts
Daniel Arroyo
IM NOT A COUNTRY MUSIC MAN, BUT UNTIL A FEW WEEKS AGO I HEARD THE "DRINKING PROBLEM " SONG IT WAS LIKE, THE FIRST TIME I HEARD THE BEATLES DURING MY TIME, WOW, THIS IS THE BEST COUNTRY BAND I EVER HEARD, I CAN'T STOP LISTENING TO ALL THEIR SONGS.
GeneralLee131
Wait, is this a new song? Are we bringing back good country music??
Evan Kline
Yussssss
BobbyD75
The Neo-Traditional sound!