Born 1943, Yorkshire, UK, Christie started his musical life in 1960 in a duo called the Grant Brothers, and until 1969 he simply fronted bands. In 1969 he signed up with MCA Records. Hits such as Amarillo and I Did What I Did for Maria followed.
Christie sold over 10 million records in the 70s. The 80s saw a slowdown due to changing musical taste, however he was awarded Die Golden Europa by German radio for superb showmanship.
The 90s led to more hits such as the song Sweet September and the Jarvis Cocker song Walk like a Panther.
Peter Kay brought Christie to a whole new generation of youth with the song (Is This the Way To) Amarillo and Avenues and Alleyways.
Christie is still going strong and he got into the football spirit with (Is This the Way To) The World Cup.
Amarillo
Tony Christie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sha la la la la la la la
Sha la la la la la la la
When the day is dawnin'
On a Texas Sunday mornin'
How I long to be there
With Marie who's waitin' for me there
Ain't as half as pretty as where my baby's at
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
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
there's 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
The song "Amarillo" by Tony Christie is a tale of longing and love, with the singer expressing his desperation to be with his beloved Marie. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a Texan landscape, with the singer dreaming of being reunited with Marie in Amarillo. He describes the beauty of the open plains and the sound of church bells ringing, which symbolize the happiness that he hopes to experience once he is reunited with his love.
The repetition of the "Sha la la" throughout the song serves to emphasize the singer's emotional state- he is in a state of longing, and the sha la las are a way to express that longing. The verse about the singer crying like a willow over Amarillo emphasizes his sadness at being unable to be with Marie. The final verse includes a call to action- the singer is asking for someone to show him the way to Amarillo so he can be with his love once again.
Overall, the song "Amarillo" is a classic example of a love ballad, with the singer expressing his love and longing for his partner in a touching and lyrical way.
Line by Line Meaning
Sha la la la la la la la
Repetitive sounds meant to create a joyful and catchy melody
When the day is dawnin' on a Texas Sunday mornin'
Wishing to be in Texas with Marie on a beautiful Sunday morning
How I long to be there with Marie who's waitin' for me there
Wanting to be with Marie, who is patiently waiting for the singer's arrival
Ev'ry lonely city where I hang my hat
Every city where the singer currently resides feels lonely without Marie
Ain't as half as pretty as where my baby's at
No other city is as beautiful as the place where Marie is
Is this the way to Amarillo?
Asking for directions to Amarillo, Texas
Ev'ry night I've been huggin' my pillow
Feeling lonely and missing Marie every night, resorting to hugging a pillow for comfort
Dreamin' dreams of Amarillo
Constantly dreaming about being with Marie in Amarillo
And sweet Marie who waits for me
Marie is the reason for the singer's yearning to be in Amarillo
Show me the way to Amarillo
Pleading for someone to guide the singer to Amarillo
I've been weepin' like a willow
Crying like a weeping willow due to the singer's sadness and longing for Marie
Cryin' over Amarillo
Crying over the separation from Marie in Amarillo
There's a church bell ringin'
Hearing a church bell ringing, indicating happiness and joy in the air
Hear the sound of joy that it's singin'
The sound of the church bell is singing a joyful tune
For the sweet Maria
The joy is for Marie, who is loved by the singer
And the guy who's comin' to see her
The singer is the guy who is coming to see Marie
Just beyond the highway, there's an open plain
Beyond the highway is an open field, reminding the singer of the vastness of the country
And it keeps me goin' through the wind and rain
The thought of seeing Marie in Amarillo gives the singer motivation to keep going, even through hard times
And Marie who waits for me
Marie is the motivation for the singer to continue on to Amarillo
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Howard Greenfield, Neil Sedaka
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind