The original members of Y&T were Dave Meniketti (lead vocals and lead guitar), Leonard Haze (drums), Phil Kennemore (bass), and Joey Alves (rhythm guitar). Haze was replaced by Jimmy DeGrasso in 1986. Alves was replaced by Stef Burns in 1989. The band officially disbanded in 1991, although they continued to perform sporadically. They officially reunited in 2001 with a lineup of Meniketti, Kennemore, and Burns alongside Leonard Haze. Burns eventually went on to join the pop rock outfit Huey Lewis & The News and was replaced by John Nymann. Nymann was an old friend of the band who had sung backup for the group before. In 2006, Haze was asked to step down, and he was replaced by Mike Vanderhule.
The band's signature hits include "Summertime Girls", a Van Halen like piece of cheeky arena rock that reached #55 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985, and ""Mean Streak." That latter track hiked up to #25 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart due to its aggressive, heavy style. Y&T's 1984 album, 'In Rock We Trust', has been their highest selling release, reaching #46 on the Billboard Album Charts and selling over 450,000 copies; the spirited album came very close to Gold status.
Main Website: http://www.yandtrocks.com/
Lonely Side Of Town
Y&T Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you're out there on your own
What a shame and a pity
That no one wants to know
I see the people laugh and share
But for me there's no one there
This empty life just isn't fair
And the world don't see me here
I'm on the lonely
Lonely side of town - right here
I'm on the lonely
Lonely side of town
How did I fall so far? - oh so far
Tell me where did I go wrong
Did I stay away too long? - oh too long
With my old friends it's not the same
Seems we don't know what to say
I understand but still it's strange
when your friends just fade away
I'm on the lonely
Lonely side of town - right here
I'm on the lonely
Lonely side of town
Solo: Dave Meniketti
I see the people laugh and share
But for me there's no one there
This empty life just isn't fair
And the world don't see me here
I'm on the lonely
Lonely side of town - right here
I'm on the lonely
Lonely side of town - right here
I'm on the lonely
Lonely side of town - right here
I'm on the lonely
I'm on the lonely side of town
The lyrics of Y&T's "Lonely Side of Town" paint a picture of isolation and loneliness in the midst of a bustling city. The singer lament the fact that he seems to be invisible to the world around him, as if he's on the outside looking in. The opening lines describe the city as "cold" and unfriendly, and the chorus drives home the point that the singer is truly alone, even when surrounded by people.
The second verse explores the sense of loss and sadness that comes from drifting away from old friends. The singer acknowledges that things just aren't the same, and that the once-strong bonds that held them together seem to have faded. The solo that follows is a fitting moment of introspection, adding to the somber mood that permeates the song.
In the final verse, the singer again expresses his frustration with being invisible to those around him. He seems resigned to his fate, recognizing that he's stuck on the "lonely side of town" without any hope of escape. The repetition of the chorus underscores the sense of hopelessness that pervades the song, leaving the listener with a sense of melancholic reflection.
Overall, "Lonely Side of Town" is a poignant commentary on the loneliness that can come from feeling disconnected from others in a big city. The emotional weight of the lyrics is enhanced by the slow tempo and minor key of the music, resulting in a powerful ballad that still resonates with fans today.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a cold cold city
The area is unwelcoming and harsh.
When you're out there on your own
When you have no one around to help you.
What a shame and a pity
It's unfortunate and regrettable.
That no one wants to know
Nobody is interested in being acquainted with the artist.
I see the people laugh and share
Spectators view those around them enjoying themselves.
But for me there's no one there
People do not want to engage with the singer.
This empty life just isn't fair
The subject's life is lacking something worthwhile; they feel aggrieved about it.
And the world don't see me here
The people around the artist do not acknowledge or see them.
I'm on the lonely
The subject is alone.
Lonely side of town - right here
Metaphor for feeling isolated in one's environment.
How did I fall so far? - oh so far
The subject wonders how they became so isolated from others.
Tell me where did I go wrong
The subject wants to know why they are isolated.
Did I stay away too long? - oh too long
The subject wonders if they have been absent from their social circle for a long time.
With my old friends it's not the same
The subject no longer feels like they have a solid relationship with their old social circle.
Seems we don't know what to say
The singer and their friends struggle to engage in conversation.
I understand but still it's strange
The artist sympathizes but still feels peculiar about the situation.
When your friends just fade away
The subject's old friends have drifted apart.
I'm on the lonely
The subject is still alone.
Solo: Dave Meniketti
An instrumental solo is played.
I see the people laugh and share
As described earlier.
But for me there's no one there
The subject cannot engage with others.
This empty life just isn't fair
Previously mentioned.
And the world don't see me here
Previously mentioned.
I'm on the lonely
Previously mentioned.
Lonely side of town - right here
Previously mentioned.
I'm on the lonely
Previously mentioned.
Lonely side of town - right here
Previously mentioned.
I'm on the lonely
Previously mentioned.
Lonely side of town - right here
Previously mentioned.
I'm on the lonely
Previously mentioned.
I'm on the lonely side of town
Previously mentioned.
Contributed by Aria R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.