The stage name P.J. Proby was suggested to him by a friend named Sharon Sheeley (Eddie Cochran's girlfriend) who remembered the name of an old high school boyfriend.
P.J. Proby did demos for Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and other artists. His greatest hits are "Somewhere", "Maria", "Hold Me", "Niki Hoeky" and "I Apologise". In 1996, Marc Almond produced the album Legend which included the duet single "Yesterday Has Gone".
I Don't Want to Hear It Anymore
P.J. Proby Lyrics
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The rooms are small most the building made of wood.
I hear the neighbors talking 'bout you and me.
Yes I've heard most every word
'Cause the talkin's loud and the walls are much too thin.
She don't really love him.
Oh that's what I heard them say.
I saw her in the courtyard say that girl in room one forty nine.
Talking to a boy I've never seen before,
And standing there together don't you know they looked so fine.
No I don't want to hear it anymore
I don't want to hear it anymore.
'Cause the talk just never ends and the heartache soon begins
The talk is so loud and the walls, they're much too thin.
Lord ain't it sad, said the woman cross the hall,
That when a nice boy like that falls in love
Hey it's just too bad that he had to go
And fall for a girl that doesn't care for him at all.
No I don't wanna hear it anymore.
I don't wanna hear it anymore.
'Cause the talk just never ends and the heartache soon begins.
Oh they talk so loud and the walls are much too thin.
Oh I wish they wouldn't talk so loud and expose my heartache to the crowd.
The lyrics to "I Don't Want To Hear It Anymore" by P.J. Proby depict a situation in a neighborhood where the living conditions aren't great. The singer mentions small rooms and buildings made of wood, suggesting a lower-income area. The thin walls in these buildings allow the neighbors to hear each other's conversations, leading to gossip and rumors about the singer and their romantic relationship.
The singer overhears their neighbors discussing their love life and spreading speculation. They hear the neighbors saying that the woman doesn't really love her partner and that she was not thinking of him, as she was seen with another man in the courtyard. The singer observes the couple looking happy together, emphasizing the contrast between their apparent bliss and the rumors surrounding their relationship.
The lyrics express the singer's frustration and desire to stop hearing the gossip and rumors. They no longer want to be subjected to the constant talk that never seems to end. The thin walls serve as a metaphor for the vulnerability of their relationship, as the rumors and gossip can easily penetrate and affect them. The final lines convey the singer's wish for the neighbors to lower their voices and not expose their heartache to the judgmental crowd.
Overall, "I Don't Want To Hear It Anymore" explores the themes of gossip, rumors, and the impact they can have on relationships in a community where privacy is compromised.
Line by Line Meaning
In my neighborhood where folks don't live so good now.
In the area where I live, people are not well-off.
The rooms are small most the building made of wood.
The houses here are cramped and predominantly constructed with wood.
I hear the neighbors talking 'bout you and me.
I am aware of the conversations my neighbors have about us.
Yes I've heard most every word
I have heard almost every single thing they said.
'Cause the talkin's loud and the walls are much too thin.
Their conversations are loud, and the walls are not thick enough to muffle the sound.
She don't really love him.
She does not truly love him.
Oh that's what I heard them say.
That is what I overheard them say.
She sure wasn't thinking of him today.
She definitely was not considering him today.
I saw her in the courtyard say that girl in room one forty nine.
I witnessed her conversing with a girl who resides in room 149, in the courtyard.
Talking to a boy I've never seen before,
Engaging in conversation with a boy whom I have never encountered previously.
And standing there together don't you know they looked so fine.
And while they were standing there together, they appeared exceptionally attractive.
No I don't want to hear it anymore
I do not wish to listen to it any longer.
I don't want to hear it anymore.
I do not want to hear those conversations any longer.
'Cause the talk just never ends and the heartache soon begins
Because the discussions never cease, and the pain will soon commence.
The talk is so loud and the walls, they're much too thin.
The noise from the conversations is so intense, and the walls are insufficiently soundproof.
Lord ain't it sad, said the woman cross the hall,
Oh, isn't it unfortunate, exclaimed the woman residing across the corridor,
That when a nice boy like that falls in love
That when a kind-hearted boy like him falls in love
Hey it's just too bad that he had to go
Oh, it is simply unfortunate that he had to
And fall for a girl that doesn't care for him at all.
And develop feelings for a girl who has no feelings for him whatsoever.
No I don't wanna hear it anymore.
I do not want to hear those conversations any longer.
I don't wanna hear it anymore.
I do not wish to listen to it any longer.
'Cause the talk just never ends and the heartache soon begins.
Because the discussions never cease, and the pain will soon commence.
Oh they talk so loud and the walls are much too thin.
Oh, they speak with such volume, and the walls are not thick enough to muffle the sound.
Oh I wish they wouldn't talk so loud and expose my heartache to the crowd.
Oh, I hope they would not speak so loudly and reveal my emotional pain to everyone.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Randy Newman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sherilyn1977
A wonderful rendition of the song sung by P.J. Proby. I believe that P.J. knows just how to bring out all the emotions in a song and this just one classic example of how he does it. I'm wrapped.
SouthCoastMackem
Class, pure and simple. PJ taking a great Randy Newman song and putting his inimitable stamp on it.
inshreds45
I'm hoping that one day we get to hear Randy's demo at least.
rontenn1
The voice you are hearing is the best you'll ever hear. What feeling! what power! what emotion! No other singer gets anywhere near to Proby!! Ron
2bluegp
Jerry Butler. Go listen
Pipkin Hopkins
This for me is PJ at his best. I heard he wanted to release this as an "A" side but ??? That's record companies for you !!
Phil Baird
I've since also checked out Melissa Manchester's version, and she really stakes a claim as well, with a stripped down arrangement of mostly just piano that really captures Randy's 'sound of sadness'. Anybody who loves this song should also hear this before deciding on their favourite. Personally I love them all.
Phil Baird
Have only just discovered this version of a brilliant song, and I must say it's up there with Jerry Butler's, Dusty's, and Scott Walker's version. P.J. nailed it too. Are there any more great covers of this Randy Newman's classic ? Has any other song been covered so wonderfully ? It says something for Randy's songwriting doesn't it, and perhaps the reason why he never recorded it himself.
fordprefectskid
Another vote for Jerry Butler as the definitive version (it's a similar approach to this, but the arrangement is superior IMO) after becoming obsessed with this song and checking out all the recordings I could find. Melissa Manchester is my second favorite. I like PJ's recording a lot though, and prefer it over the other covers currently on youtube.
inshreds45
I'd like to hear his original.