The trio of Scott Walker (Noel Scott Engel), Gary Walker (Gary Leeds, formerly of The Standells), and John Walker (John Maus, November 12, 1943 - May 7, 2011) moved from the U.S. to Britain in 1965. Like The Ramones, they were not related, and adopted the same last name as a show business touch. They had only minor success in the U.S., but topped the UK singles charts with Make It Easy On Yourself in 1965 and The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore) in 1966.
After a UK tour in late 1967, which also featured Jimi Hendrix, Cat Stevens, and Engelbert Humperdinck, followed by a tour of Japan in 1968, the group officially disbanded. After the group disbanded, all three members scored U.S. and UK chart hits, under their Walker names.
Reforming in 1974, The Walker Brothers recorded a version of Tom Rush's No Regrets which soared into the British Top Ten after an absence of over a decade. However, the three albums that followed sold poorly: No Regrets (1975), Lines (1976), and Nite Flights (1978). Scott Walker's tracks on the final album, Nite Flights, laid the stylistic groundwork for his later solo career.
John Walker died at his Los Angeles home on May 7, 2011
In My Room
The Walker Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I sit and stare at the wall
Thinking how lonesome I've grown, all alone
In my room
In my room, where very night is the same
I play a dangerous game
I keep pretending she's late
Over there is the picture we took when I made her my bride
Over there is the chair where I held whenever she cried
Over there by the window, the flowers she left - have all died
In my room, way at the end of the hall
I sit and stare at the wall
Thinking how lonely I've grown, all alone
In my room
The Walker Brothers' song "In My Room" is a poignant ballad about loneliness and heartbreak. The song's speaker narrates from his perspective sitting in his solitary room, which is located at the end of a hallway. This room serves as a refuge for him from the outside world, but it also serves as a prison because he is painfully aware of his loneliness. He stares at the wall and contemplates his life, how it has unraveled, and the love he has lost. Each night seems to be the same, and he plays a dangerous game of pretending his lover, who has left him, is late. He sits and waits for her, but she never comes. The picture of them together is a testament to their love, but it is a bittersweet reminder of what he has lost. The chair where he held her when she cried is now empty, and the flowers she left behind when she moved out have died. The room is a metaphor for his heart, empty and alone.
The lyrics of "In My Room" are a touching representation of heartbreak and loneliness, but they also personify the process of grief in a more profound way. The room metaphorically represents a secluded space where the singer tries to make sense of his situation. He contemplates his life, love, and loss, and his thoughts reflect a complex and deep-seated grief. The song's lyrics are simple yet evocative, rendering a sense of isolation and pain that is relatable to many people. The song's haunting melody and lyrics also speak to the melancholic nature of the human condition.
Line by Line Meaning
In my room, way at the end of the hall
I spend most of my time by myself, isolated from the rest of the world.
I sit and stare at the wall
I am lost in my thoughts, pondering about my solitude.
Thinking how lonesome I've grown, all alone
I feel empty and sad, missing companionship and human interaction.
In my room, where every night is the same
My routine is predictable and monotonous, with no variation or excitement.
I play a dangerous game
I deceive myself into believing that my loved one will come back to me despite knowing that it's unlikely.
I keep pretending she's late
I make excuses for her absence, hoping that she will arrive soon.
So I sit, and I wait
I am patiently hoping, but also aware that it may be a futile effort.
Over there is the picture we took when I made her my bride
I cherish the memories of our happy moments together.
Over there is the chair where I held whenever she cried
I provided comfort and support to her during difficult times.
Over there by the window, the flowers she left - have all died
The gifts and tokens of love she bestowed upon me are now withered and gone, symbolizing the fading of our relationship.
In my room, way at the end of the hall
I am trapped in my isolation, unable to escape my loneliness.
I sit and stare at the wall
My mind is consumed by my sadness, making it hard for me to focus on anything else.
Thinking how lonely I've grown, all alone
I feel the weight of my solitude on my shoulders, yearning for a connection with someone.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LEE J POCKRISS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
lover
In my room way at the end of the hall
I sit and stare at the wall
Thinking how lonesome I've grown, all alone
In my room
In my room where very night is the same
I play a dangerous game
I keep pretending she's late
And I sit, and I wait
Over there is the picture we took when I made her my bride
Over there is the chair where I held her whenever she cried
Over there by the window, the flowers she left
Have all died
In my room way at the end of the hall
I sit and stare at the wall
Thinking how lonely I've grown, all alone
In my room
PunKat
What I find really interesting about this song (aside from its beautiful, haunting melody) is the expressive, somewhat dragged way he sings the word "stare" (0:19).
For those who don't know, Scott Walker was one of the major influences on David Bowie thorough his entire career. As someone very familiar with Bowies discography and singing style, I'm pretty sure Bowie got inspired by this particular performance.
doo58wop
Such a haunting melody! Scott Engel's lead vocal is so rich; the production is crisp. Why this group was never a bigger success here in the US mystifies me. Fantastic record from beginning to end.
MsDionesque
Track was used by Fassbinder in his great movie "Bitter tears of Petra von Kant". Wonderful voice, extraordinary song. Thanks for sharing!
North Dallas Forty
And in French remake
homage to Fassbinder
“Peter Von Kant”
Nina Rizzo
Wonderful lyrics and tune as always. Sung beautifully as ever by the magnificent Walker Brothers. Lovely ❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Superamos 31 Davies
RIP Scott and John . Now no longer with us .Many heartfelt thanks for for the music you created . Two great voices of your generation and will never be forgotten by us true fans . You made the finest pop record ever made in The Sun Aint Gonna Shine Anymore and is my favourite of all time Bless you both xx
Christine Clark
Superb singer of our time loved him always remembered ❤ RIP Scott xx
Serena Tsukino
Que hermosa voz por dios! La melodía es espectacular!
wellandtruly joshed
Beautiful man beautiful voice ❤️ RIP Scott 💔 Make room in Heaven for this musical Genius 👏😢
Bill Brower
GREAT SONG,GREAT VERSION,GREAT GROUP ! THANKS YOU FOR POSTING THIS.