Sedaka wrote his 1959 hit "Oh! Carol" about his then-girlfriend, Carol Klein, later to become Carole King. In 1963, King released a humorous answer entitled "Oh Neil".
The Laughter In the Rain Songfacts says Sedaka's hits dried up when The Beatles arrived, but then he teamed up with the lyricist Philip Cody and had a a number 1 hit with "Laughter In The Rain." It re-ignited Sedaka's career and he had 6 more Top-40 hits in America by 1977.
Sedaka's voice is in the tenor range.
Amarillo
Neil Sedaka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On a Texas Sunday mornin'
How I long to be there
With Marie who's waitin' for me there.
Ev'ry lonely city where I hang my hat
Ain't as half as pretty as where my baby's at.
Is this the way to Amarillo?
Dreamin' dreams of Amarillo
And sweet Marie who waits for me.
Show me the way to Amarillo
I've been weepin' like a willow
Cryin' over Amarillo
And sweet Marie who waits for me.
Sha la la la la la la la
Sha la la la la la la la
Sha la la la la la la la
And Marie who waits for me.
There's a church bell ringin'
Hear the sound of joy that it's singin'
For the sweet Maria
And the guy who's comin' to see her.
Just beyond the highway
Lies an open plain
And it keeps me goin'
Through the wind and rain.
Is this the way to Amarillo?
Ev'ry night I've been huggin' my pillow
Dreamin' dreams of Amarillo
And sweet Marie who waits for me.
Show me the way to Amarillo
I've been weepin' like a willow
Cryin' over Amarillo
And sweet Marie who waits for me.
Sha la la la la la la la
Sha la la la la la la la
Sha la la la la la la la
And Marie who waits for me.
Sha la la la la la la la
Sha la la la la la la la
Sha la la la la la la la
And Marie who waits for me.
Sha la la la la la la la
Sha la la la la la la la
Sha la la la la la la la
And Marie who waits for me.
Neil Sedaka's "Amarillo" is a sentimental and romantic song about a man who longs to be with his love, Marie, in Amarillo, Texas. He dreams of her every night, crying and weeping over the distance between them. He describes the simple beauty of Amarillo on a Texas Sunday morning and contrasts it with the loneliness of the cities where he hangs his hat. The lyrics capture a sense of longing and the idea that love can give us a sense of purpose and direction.
The refrain of the song with its repeated "Sha la la la" is a nostalgic and catchy melody that emphasizes the emotional connection between the singer and his lover. The ringing of church bells in the second verse adds to the romantic vibe of the song, with the sound of joy signifying the union of the two lovers.
Overall, the song captures the joy and pain of being in a long-distance relationship and the hope that love can bring. It has become a classic love song and a beloved part of Neil Sedaka's discography.
Line by Line Meaning
When the day is dawnin', On a Texas Sunday mornin'
As the sun rises on a lazy Sunday morning in Texas, the singer yearns to be there with Marie who is waiting for him.
How I long to be there, With Marie who's waitin' for me there.
The singer has a strong desire to be in Texas with his beloved Marie who is eagerly waiting for him.
Ev'ry lonely city where I hang my hat, Ain't as half as pretty as where my baby's at.
The singer has been to many cities, but none of them are as beautiful as the place where his beloved Marie resides.
Is this the way to Amarillo?, Ev'ry night I've been huggin' my pillow, Dreamin' dreams of Amarillo, And sweet Marie who waits for me.
The singer longs to find the way to Amarillo so he can be with Marie, and he spends his nights dreaming of her and their reunion.
Show me the way to Amarillo, I've been weepin' like a willow, Cryin' over Amarillo, And sweet Marie who waits for me.
The singer is desperately searching for the route to Amarillo because he's been crying and feeling very emotional about the thought of sweet Marie waiting for him there.
There's a church bell ringin', Hear the sound of joy that it's singin', For the sweet Maria, And the guy who's comin' to see her.
The church bell's joyful music signifies the arrival of the singer, who is on his way to visit the sweet Maria.
Just beyond the highway, Lies an open plain, And it keeps me goin', Through the wind and rain.
The singer is encouraged to keep going on his journey to Amarillo because beyond the highway lies a wide, open plain that motivates him to push through the adversity of the wind and rain.
Sha la la la la la la la, Sha la la la la la la la, Sha la la la la la la la, And Marie who waits for me.
The singer sings the repetitive 'Sha la la la' to help himself stay upbeat as he travels towards his beloved Marie in Amarillo, who is eagerly awaiting his arrival.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Howard Greenfield, Neil Sedaka
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-xv2kk5fe5b
Neil has done more in his career than most artists and bands could even dream about. He is supremely gifted and a totally classy guy.
@markh9749
Neil Sedaka is - and has long been - terminally unhip. He is shamefully disregarded as a singer and songwriter as a result. His career is not a negligible one
He deserves respect
@deborahsandoval7633
Neil Sedaka is seriously underrated. Love his body of work. Tony Kristie took Neil's song to a 5:22 new level. Love his voice and their harmony. God bless them.
@RobertSahlqvist
I find it adorable how he just can't stop smiling whenever he's performing.
@lancasterritzyescargotdine2602
I can see why this song just won't die. All those colorful, impressive key changes and toe-tapping rhythm will give it a life of a million years!
@UbiMortus
This guy is the epitome of "jolly".
@markhall0670
he is a legend , a term thrown around about those who have not done the leg work Neil has done . LEGEND
@johnireland6301
A master at his work. Neil has a left hand like a prize fighter. Such talent no equals.
@daddybeagleaz907
I just love this song, I was just a kid when it came out. And yes, Neil absolutely should be in the Hall Of Fame.
@whatevergoesforme5129
Isn't he? I read he was inducted in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.