About the song
Andrew Gold’s “Lonely Boy” is a poignant and introspective song that resonates with listeners through its heartfelt lyrics and soulful melody. Released in 1977 as part of his album “What’s Wrong with This Picture?”, this track showcases Gold’s ability to craft emotionally resonant music that speaks to the human experience.
Written by Andrew Gold himself, “Lonely Boy” tells the story of a young man who struggles with feelings of isolation and longing for connection. The song’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of the protagonist’s inner turmoil, as he grapples with the pain of being misunderstood and the desire to find his place in the world.
Upon its release, “Lonely Boy” achieved considerable success on the charts, reaching number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 11 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. Its widespread acclaim solidified Andrew Gold’s reputation as a talented singer-songwriter and underscored the universal appeal of his music.
The song’s emotive vocals and evocative instrumentation create a deeply moving listening experience that resonates with audiences of all ages. Gold’s soulful delivery captures the raw emotion of the lyrics, drawing listeners into the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery and longing for connection.
“Lonely Boy” remains a beloved classic that continues to touch the hearts of listeners around the world. Its timeless themes of loneliness, longing, and the search for identity make it a poignant anthem for anyone who has ever felt lost or misunderstood. Whether revisiting it with nostalgia or discovering it for the first time, “Lonely Boy” is a testament to Andrew Gold’s talent as a songwriter and his ability to create music that speaks to the human condition.
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Lyrics
He was born on a summer day 1951
And with a slap of a hand
He landed as an only son
His mother and father said what a lovely boy
We’ll teach him what we learned
Ah yes just what we learned
We’ll dress him up warmly and
We’ll send him to school
It’ll teach him how to fight
To be nobody’s fool
Oh, oh what a lonely boy
Oh what a lonely boy
Oh what a lonely boy
In the summer of ’53 his mother
Brought him a sister
And she told him we must attend to her needs
She’s so much younger than you
Well he ran down the hall and he cried
Oh how could his parents have lied
When they said he was an only son
He thought he was the only one
Oh, oh what a lonely boy
Oh what a lonely boy
Oh what a lonely boy
Goodbye mama, goodbye to you
Goodbye papa I’m pushing on through
He left home on a winter day 1969
And he hoped to find all the love
He had lost in that earlier time
Well his sister grew up
And she married a man
He gave her a son
Ah yes a lovely son
They dressed him up warmly
They sent him to school
It taught him how to fight
To be nobody’s fool
Oh, oh what a lonely boy
Oh what a lonely boy
Oh what a lonely boy
Oh, oh, oh, oh what a lonely boy
Oh what a lonely boy
Oh what a lonely boy