England's one-man answer to Ferrante and Teicher, Aldrich churned out a ste… Read Full Bio ↴England's one-man answer to Ferrante and Teicher, Aldrich churned out a steady stream of albums featuring his "Twin Pianos" for London's Phase 4 label, starting in 1961--most of them no more distinguished than F&T's post-"prepared piano" recordings. Aldrich studied at the Guildhall School of Music in London and played and arranged for the RAF Dance Orchestra during World War Two. After the war, he remained associated with the group as it mutated into "The Squadronaires" and became one of the most popular groups in England. Aldrich eventually became the band's leader and conductor, and stayed in that role until the group dissolved in 1964. He also worked as musical director for Thames Television.

Aldrich's albums are usually pretty , easy listening,but if you haven't heard one, it's worth spending up to three bucks to own your own little bit of authentic 60s experience. Not the Haight-Ashbury-Woodstock-Jimi Hendrix kind of experience, but the experience most people had. What he produced entertained millions, although obviously not cutting edge music. Put on Ronnie's take on "Music to Watch Girls By" and you can imagine yourself strolling down the aisle at the A&P or shopping for school clothes at J.C. Penney. Or riding an elevator to your dad's office. Or waiting at the Omaha Airport. Who needs Eastern philosophy to get blissed out?

Born at Erith , Kent, U K, 15th February 1916, educated in Folkestone and proved musically talented as he learnt to play the piano aged only 3 !!! After his musical career he retired to the Isle of Man, where he died, from prostate cancer, aged 77, on the 30th September 1993.

Good Time Charlie
Ronnie Aldrich Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Everybody's gone away
Said they're movin to L.A.
There's not a soul I know around
Everybody's leavin' town

Some caught a freight, some caught a plane
Find the sunshine, leave the rain
They said this town were a waste of time

I guess they're right, it's wasting mine

Some gotta win, some gotta lose
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Good time Charlie's got the blues

You know my heart keeps tellin' me
You're not a kid at thirty-three
Play around you'll lose your wife
You play too hard you'll lose your life

Some gotta win, some gotta lose
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Good time Charlie's got the blues

Some gotta win, some gotta lose
Good time Charlie's got the blues

Good time Charlie's got the blues
Good time Charlie's got the blues

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ronnie Aldrich's song, "Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues," depicts a sense of abandonment and loneliness, as everybody has moved away to pursue their dreams in Los Angeles, leaving the singer behind. Charlie, a character referred to in the chorus, seems to represent a carefree and fun-loving individual who continues to stay behind while others move on. However, it becomes evident that Charlie's life isn't as good as it seems, and he has problems of his own. The song's melancholic tone fits the theme of feeling alone and left behind, as the singer expresses his concerns about Charlie's future.

The lyrics suggest that Charlie is a thirty-three-year-old man who still hasn't grown up, and the singer of the song is worried that Charlie might end up losing everything, including his wife and life if he doesn't change. The song's chorus highlights the idea of different outcomes for everyone, where there are winners and losers, and Charlie seems to have the blues. The song's title phrase, "Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues," can also be interpreted as Charlie having regrets and feeling sad despite his carefree image. The song is a cautionary tale against recklessness and a reminder that good times don't always last.

Line by Line Meaning

Everybody's gone away
Everyone I knew has left this town

Said they're movin to L.A.
They have all gone to Los Angeles

There's not a soul I know around
I don't know anyone in this town anymore

Everybody's leavin' town
Everyone is leaving this town

Some caught a freight, some caught a plane
Some left by train, some left by plane

Find the sunshine, leave the rain
They are looking for a better life

They said this town were a waste of time
They thought this town was a waste of time

I guess they're right, it's wasting mine
I think they were right, staying here is wasting my time

You know my heart keeps tellin' me
My heart keeps reminding me

You're not a kid at thirty-three
But I'm not young anymore at the age of thirty-three

Play around you'll lose your wife
If I fool around, I'll lose my wife