Shuman was born in Brooklyn, New York and went to Abraham Lincoln High School and then studied music at the New York Conservatory. He became a fan of R&B music and after he met Doc Pomus the two teamed up to compose for Aldon Music at offices in New York City's Brill Building. Their songwriting collaboration saw Pomus write the lyrics and Shuman the music although occasionally they worked on both. Their compositions would be recorded by artists such as Dion, Andy Williams, Bobby Darin, Fabian, The Drifters, and Elvis Presley, among others. Their most famous songs include "A Teenager in Love", "Turn Me Loose", "This Magic Moment", "Save The Last Dance For Me", "Little Sister", "Can't Get Used to Losing You", "His Latest Flame" and "Viva Las Vegas".
Pomus often drew on life events which inspired his creativity. It was after a breakup with his girlfriend that Pomus, who had been driving in his car, was struck in awe by the sounds of the car horns blaring amidst his thoughts. Arriving at the studio, Pomus attempted to assimilate the sound of the horns and penned an introduction to a piece he initially titled "A Crowded Avenue". Later, the work progressed with Shuman, who helped finalize the draft. A chorus was added and the name of the song was changed to "Can't Get Used to Losing You", which became one of the biggest hits for Andy Williams in 1963.
With the advent of the British invasion, they moved to London where they penned songs for a number of British musicians. After the partnership with Doc Pomus ended in 1965, Shuman moved to Paris, France where he wrote songs for French rocker Johnny Hallyday and embarked on his own recording career. He also found time to write a couple of hits in the UK, as well as a musical, "Budgie" (lyrics by Don Black).
In 1968, he translated the French lyrics of Belgian composer Jacques Brel that he would eventually use to write, produce and star in a highly successful off-Broadway production he titled "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris".
He was elected to the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
He died (of lung cancer) just ten days short of his 55th birthday.
Sorrow
Mort Shuman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sorrow! Sorrow, in my heart
I just can't believe it's over
I never could have dreamed that we would part
Sorrow! Sorrow, in the morning
Sorrow! Sorrow, late at night
Like a ship without a sailor
To hold me tight
Do you remember those happy days
The happy days, that we shared
I just had to look at you
And I knew that you cared
I thought I would spend those happy days
Loving you my whole life through
There was such happiness then
And now - there's only
Sorrow! Sorrow, all around me
Sorrow! Sorrow, through and through
If I live a hundred live times
I'll never realize that I am losing you
Do you remember those happy days
The happy days, that we shared
I just had to look at you
And I knew that you cared
I thought I would spend those happy days
Loving you my whole life through
There was such happiness then
And now - there's only
Sorrow! Sorrow!
The Mort Shuman song "Sorrow" is a heartbreaking ballad about the pain and longing one feels after a relationship ends. The lyrics express the overwhelming sense of loss that comes with a breakup, with the singer repeating the word "Sorrow" as if trying to capture the full weight of their despair. The first verse speaks to the disbelief and shock at the end of the relationship, with the singer admitting that they never could have imagined it would happen. The second verse compares the singer's emotional state to a ship without a sailor, lost and adrift without the comfort of their lover's arms.
The song's chorus is particularly powerful, with its repetition of the word "Sorrow" creating a sense of unrelenting pain that hangs over the singer constantly. The bridge recalls the happy days of the relationship, a bittersweet memory that only serves to reinforce the heartache of the present. The final repetition of the chorus drives home the crushing sense of defeat and hopelessness that much of the song embodies. Overall, "Sorrow" is a moving example of the power of music to capture and express the deepest emotions of the human heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Sorrow! Sorrow, since you left me
The feeling of sadness and pain has never left me since you left me.
Sorrow! Sorrow, in my heart
My heart is full of sorrow and pain.
I just can't believe it's over
I am unable to accept the fact that our relationship is over.
I never could have dreamed that we would part
I had never imagined that we would ever separate from each other.
Sorrow! Sorrow, in the morning
I wake up with a feeling of sorrow and pain every morning.
Sorrow! Sorrow, late at night
Even at night, my heart is full of sorrow and pain.
Like a ship without a sailor
I feel lost and helpless without you.
That's how I am wihout your arms
To hold me tight
I feel lonely and crave for your embrace to comfort me.
Do you remember those happy days
The happy days, that we shared
I recall the days when we were happy and in love.
I just had to look at you
And I knew that you cared
Your eyes spoke the language of love and affection, and I felt cared for.
I thought I would spend those happy days
Loving you my whole life through
I believed that those happy days would continue, and I would love you for eternity.
There was such happiness then
And now - there's only
There was immense happiness and love, but now, there's nothing but
Sorrow! Sorrow, all around me
The feeling of sorrow and pain engulfs me from all sides.
Sorrow! Sorrow, through and through
The pain and suffering penetrate deep within me.
If I live a hundred live times
I'll never realize that I am losing you
No matter how long I live, I will never come to terms with the fact that I have lost you forever.
Sorrow! Sorrow!
The pain, sadness, and grief continue to haunt me.
Writer(s): Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman Copyright: Alley Music Corp., Unichappell Music Inc., Studiocanal Sa, Trio Music Company
Contributed by Gianna V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@josephevivier1352
CE 11 AOUT 2023..................................J'ADORE CETTE VIDÉO. MAGNIFIQUE, POUR ,CETTE TRÈS BELLE CHANSON DE MON MORTY..................
@Marie.83
Superbe ! l'adolescence , les boums , les petits flirts ❤️ nostalgie quand tu nous tiens 😥😥😻😻
@marlenawita7121
Love this song..old song when iam young
@sylvain3214
Pourquoi cette chanson me fait toujours pleurer ?
@josephevivier1352
CE 22 AOUT 2023.....................J'ADORE CETTE CHANSON................BELLE VIDÉO.............
@josephevivier1352
CE 30 JUIN 2023.......................MAGNIFIQUE VIDÉO AVEC LA BRLLE VOIX DE MON MORTY.........;J'ADORE
@josephevivier1352
CE 17 AVRIL 2023...........................TRÈS HEUREUSE DE RETROUVER CETTE BELLE VIDÉO............UNE MERVEILLE.....MALGRÉ LA TRISTESSE.................
@gianisbourikas1673
What a song 😢😢😢
@dimitrasafleka184
Φοβερή εποχή θυμίζει αυτό το τραγούδι του Demi Roussos.
Το ελληνικό σκηνικό του καλοκαιριού είναι το απόλυτο!
Ευχαριστούμε!
@DreamCo-jf8ir
Σε ευχαριστώ πολύ, είχε γυριστεί στην Σαντορίνη η συγκεκριμένη ταινία... και στην εποχή της είχε κάνει επιτυχία....