Bishop's song "Separate Lives," from the movie White Nights, was nominated for an Academy Award in 1985, losing out to "Say You, Say Me" from the same film. Bishop wrote it about his breakup with actress Karen Allen, who also appeared in Animal House.
Patrick Bateman, the fictional anti-hero from Bret Easton Ellis' American Psycho, is an avowed fan of Stephen Bishop.
On & On
Stephen Bishop Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Steal your money then they break your heart
Lonesome Sue, she′s in love with ol' Sam
Take him from the fire into the frying pan
On and on
She just keeps on trying
When she feels like crying
On and on, on and on, on and on
Poor ol′ Jimmy sits alone in the moonlight
He saw his woman kiss another man
So he takes a ladder, steals the stars from the sky
Puts on Sinatra and starts to cry
On and on
He just keeps on trying
And he smiles
When he feels like crying
On and on, on and on, on and on
When the first time is the last time
It can make you feel so bad
But if you know it, show it
Hold on tight, don't let her say, "Goodnight"
Got the sun on my shoulders and my toes in the sand
Woman's left me for some other man
Ah but I don′t care, I′ll just dream and stay tan
Toss up my heart to see where it lands
On and on
I just keep on trying
And I smile
When I feel like dying
On and on, on and on, on and on
On and on, on and on, on and on
On and on, on and on, on and on
Woohoo
The lyrics of Stephen Bishop’s song “On & On” are full of vivid characters and their struggles in love. The first verse takes the listener to Jamaica, where there are lots of pretty women who will steal your money and break your heart. This sets the tone for the rest of the song and creates an image of the harsh reality of love. The second verse tells the story of Lonesome Sue who is in love with ol' Sam. However, taking him from the fire into the frying pan signifies that her love has taken her from one difficult situation to another. Despite this, she keeps on trying and smiling through her tears. This is a message of resilience that is echoed throughout the rest of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Down in Jamaica, they got lots of pretty women
Jamaica is filled with beautiful women but be careful, they could con you.
Steal your money then they break your heart
The women may take advantage of you and leave you heartbroken.
Lonesome Sue, she′s in love with ol' Sam
Sue is in love with a man named Sam.
Take him from the fire into the frying pan
Despite the risks involved, Sue still chooses to be in a relationship with Sam.
She just keeps on trying
Sue does not give up and perseveres.
And she smiles
Despite the challenges, Sue finds joy in her struggles.
When she feels like crying
Sometimes Sue feels sad but keeps on pushing through.
On and on
Life continues, and Sue's struggles never cease.
Poor ol′ Jimmy sits alone in the moonlight
Jimmy is heartbroken and sulks in the moonlight.
He saw his woman kiss another man
Jimmy's partner betrayed him by kissing someone else.
So he takes a ladder, steals the stars from the sky
Jimmy takes drastic measures to heal his pain.
Puts on Sinatra and starts to cry
As he wallows in his sorrows, Jimmy listens to Frank Sinatra and cries.
He just keeps on trying
Despite the heartbreak, Jimmy keeps attempting to mend his wounds.
And he smiles
Despite the pain, Jimmy finds reasons to feel joy.
When he feels like crying
Although he often feels sad, Jimmy is resilient and keeps going.
When the first time is the last time
When a relationship ends after the first time, it is immensely painful.
It can make you feel so bad
The pain of a sudden, unexpected ending can strongly affect one's well-being.
But if you know it, show it
If you can foresee the end of a relationship, act on it accordingly.
Hold on tight, don't let her say, "Goodnight"
Hold onto your relationship firmly to prevent it from ending prematurely.
Got the sun on my shoulders and my toes in the sand
Despite his heartbreak, the artist still enjoys life.
Woman's left me for some other man
The artist was left by his partner for someone else.
Ah but I don′t care, I′ll just dream and stay tan
The artist chooses to remain optimistic, ignore their heartbreak and continue living their life.
Toss up my heart to see where it lands
The singer is unsure about what their future holds.
I just keep on trying
Despite the difficulties, the artist persists in their attempts to move forward.
And I smile
Despite the pain, the singer finds reasons to be happy.
When I feel like dying
Although frequently disheartened, the singer continues living and enjoys their life.
On and on
Life goes on and the singer's struggles continue.
Woohoo
An exclamation of excitement.
Writer(s): Bishop Stephen
Contributed by Mila M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ROBIN TAYLOR
🇯🇲 Down in Jamaica
They go lots of pretty women
Steal your money
Then they break your heart
Lonesome Sue, she's in love with old Sam
Take him from the fire into the frying pan
On and on
She just keeps on trying
And she smiles when she feels like crying
On and on, on and on, on and on
Poor old Jimmy
Sits alone in the moonlight
Saw his woman kiss another man
So he takes a ladder
Steals the stars from the sky
Puts on Sinatra and starts to cry
On and on
He just keeps on trying
And he smiles when he feels like crying
On and on, on and on, on and on
When the first time is the last time
Can make you feel so bad
But if you know it, show it
Hold on tight
Don't let her say goodnight
Got the sun on my shoulders
And my toes in the sand
Woman's left me for the some other man
Aw, but I don't care
I'll just dream and stay tan
Toss up my heart and see where it lands
On and on
I just keep on trying
And I smile when I feel like dying
On and on, on and on, on and on
On and on, on and on, on and on
On and on, on and on, on and on, ooh
Songwriters: Stephen Bishop
Lyka Calixtro
Down in Jamaica
They go lots of pretty women
Steal your money
Then they break your heart
Lonesome Sue, she's in love with old Sam
Take him from the fire into the frying pan
On and on
She just keeps on trying
And she smiles when she feels like crying
On and on, on and on, on and on
Poor old Jimmy
Sits alone in the moonlight
Saw his woman kiss another man
So he takes a ladder
Steals the stars from the sky
Puts on Sinatra and starts to cry
On and on
He just keeps on trying
And he smiles when he feels like crying
On and on, on and on, on and on
When the first time is the last time
Can make you feel so bad
But if you know it, show it
Hold on tight
Don't let her say goodnight
Got the sun on my shoulders
And my toes in the sand
Woman's left me for the some other man
Aw, but I don't care
I'll just dream and stay tan
Toss up my heart and see where it lands
On and on
I just keep on trying
And I smile when I feel like dying
On and on, on and on, on and on
On and on, on and on, on and on
On and on, on and on, on and on, ooh
Aisles Tindugan
Down in Jamaica
They go lots of pretty women
Steal your money
Then they break your heart
Lonesome Sue, she's in love with old Sam
Take him from the fire into the frying pan
On and on
She just keeps on trying
And she smiles when she feels like crying
On and on, on and on, on and on
Poor old Jimmy
Sits alone in the moonlight
Saw his woman kiss another man
So he takes a ladder
Steals the stars from the sky
Puts on Sinatra and starts to cry
On and on
He just keeps on trying
And he smiles when he feels like crying
On and on, on and on, on and on
When the first time is the last time
Can make you feel so bad
But if you know it, show it
Hold on tight
Don't let her say goodnight
Got the sun on my shoulders
And my toes in the sand
Woman's left me for the some other man
Aw, but I don't care
I'll just dream and stay tan
Toss up my heart and see where it lands
On and on
I just keep on trying
And I smile when I feel like dying
On and on, on and on, on and on
On and on, on and on, on and on
On and on, on and on, on and on, ooh
Aisles Tindugan
Down in Jamaica
They go lots of pretty women
Steal your money
Then they break your heart
Lonesome Sue, she's in love with old Sam
Take him from the fire into the frying pan
On and on
She just keeps on trying
And she smiles when she feels like crying
On and on, on and on, on and on
Poor old Jimmy
Sits alone in the moonlight
Saw his woman kiss another man
So he takes a ladder
Steals the stars from the sky
Puts on Sinatra and starts to cry
On and on
He just keeps on trying
And he smiles when he feels like crying
On and on, on and on, on and on
When the first time is the last time
Can make you feel so bad
But if you know it, show it
Hold on tight
Don't let her say goodnight
Got the sun on my shoulders
And my toes in the sand
Woman's left me for the some other man
Aw, but I don't care
I'll just dream and stay tan
Toss up my heart and see where it lands
On and on
I just keep on trying
And I smile when I feel like dying
On and on, on and on, on and on
On and on, on and on, on and on
On and on, on and on, on and on, ooh
Oceana Pacifica
This is one of those catchy, melancholic songs that grows on you as the year wears on.
Jay Montez
This calms my heart and soul everytime I hear this. Scaping from this sad reality ain’t easy but with a good music like this, everything seems nice.
Julia Taylor
This song came up in my subconscious from when I was a child I lost my mom and my dog is sick and I'm going through a lot of stress and I don't know it just popped up in my head and that's how I feel right now it's just like on and on and you smile and you feel like crying.
gracey jewels
Sorry for your great loss Julia.
FormerlyARandomProperNameButNobodyGotTheJoke Sighhh
Oh yes I lost mine too. And my dog to watch them both die. Praise God for music and the lyrics are so true keep on trying, and a smile when I feel like dying. God bless us both
Warren Notes
Songs pop in my head like that a lot. I put 'em in my Tidal app and think about the lyrics and they help me understand myself better. Hang on , Sloopy!
coolnegative
You may feel all alone..........but l promise you're not the only one. I pray things get better for you, me, and all the rest of us living lives "of quiet desperation."
Adam Montunnas
I feel like u, maybe we can say goodbye 👋 together ❤️ I know you want to do it... lol 😆 🤣 😂 😹 hope ur OK 👍 👌 on and on and on....
TheCarsche
I am in love with this song. I've not heard my favorite song in YEARS, one from an era when music had a meaning, and a story, not lyrics or melody that sounded void of any real meaning. This will always be one of my all time favorites. Thanks for sharing
FormerlyARandomProperNameButNobodyGotTheJoke Sighhh
Yes. Just feels good, ya know 🙏❤️