I'm the Lonely One
{{short description|1964 single by Cliff Richard and the Shadows}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox song
|name=I'm the Lonely One
|cover=File:Cliff Richard I'm the Lonely One.jpg
|alt=
| caption =
|type=single
|artist=Cliff Richard and the Shadows
|album=
|B-side=Watch What You Do with My Baby
|released={{start date|1964|1|31|df=yes}}{{cite magazine|date=17 January 1964|title=Cliff's next disc out in a fortnight|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/New-Musical-Express/1964/NME-1964-01-17-S-OCR.pdf|magazine=New Musical Express|page=6|access-date=22 September 2022}}
|recorded=23 November 1963{{Cite web|title=Cliff Richard Song Database - Song Details|url=http://www.cliffrichardsongs.com/popup.php?data=ImTheLonelyOne19641_popupplus|access-date=2021-08-03|website=www.cliffrichardsongs.com}}
|studio=EMI Studios, London
|venue=
|genre=
- Beat{{cite book|first=Bob |last=Stanley|title=Yeah Yeah Yeah: The Story of Modern Pop |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9emZAAAAQBAJ&pg=PT7|date=13 September 2013|publisher=Faber & Faber|isbn=978-0-571-28198-5|page=82}}
- pop
- rhythm and blues
|length={{duration|m=2|s=16}}
|label=Columbia
|writer=Gordon Mills
|producer=Norrie Paramor
|prev_title=Maria No Mas
|prev_year=1963
|next_title=Constantly (L'Edera)
|next_year=1964
}}
"I'm the Lonely One" is a song by Cliff Richard and the Shadows, released as a single in January 1964. It peaked at number 8 on the UK Singles Chart.
Background and release
"I'm the Lonely One" was written by then-Viscounts member Gordon Mills. The B-side, "Watch Watch You Do with My Baby" was written by Elvis Presley songwriters Bill Giant, Bernie Baum and Florence Kaye. Both songs were included on the EP Cliff's Palladium Successes.{{Citation|title=Cliff Richard And The Shadows - I'm The Lonely One|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/seg8320|access-date=2021-08-03}}
Reviewing for Disc, Don Nicholl described "I'm the Lonely One" as "a snappy change of pace that will probably do [Richard] a lot of good in the parade. The song skips along infectiously on a good light beat and the hand clapping in the accompaniment will pull you in quickly".{{cite magazine|date=31 January 1964|title=Cliff changes pace for latest disc|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Disc/1964/Sisc-1964-02-01.pdf|magazine=Disc|page=8|accessdate=3 August 2021}}
The song did receive some criticism however, with one letter to the music press asking why the group had to "sink so low and go all R&B on their latest record? On this disc, they lose all claim to originality". However, Richard said "actually, it wasn't originally planned as a single. I usually include a couple of rockers on my albums, and this song was cut with that in view, but the beat craze changed our plans."
In April 1964, Richard released a German-language version of "I'm the Lonely One", titled "Zuviel allein (The Lonely One)", with German lyrics by Kurt Hertha and backing vocals by the Botho-Lucas-Quartett. It was released as a double A-side with a German-language version of "Don't Talk to Him", titled "Sag' "no" zu ihm".{{Cite web|title=Cliff Richard Song Database - Song Details|url=http://www.cliffrichardsongs.com/popup.php?data=ZuvielAllein196413_popupplus|access-date=2021-08-03|website=www.cliffrichardsongs.com}}
Track listing
7": Columbia / DB 7203
- "I'm the Lonely One" – 2:16
- "Watch What You Do with My Baby" – 2:04
7": Columbia / C 22 707 (Germany)
- "Zuviel allein" – 2:16
- "Sag' "no" zu ihm" – 2:53
Personnel
- Cliff Richard – vocals
- Hank Marvin – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Bruce Welch – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- John Rostill – bass guitar
- Brian Bennett – drums
- Norrie Paramor – piano
Charts
References
{{reflist}}
{{Cliff Richard}}
{{Cliff Richard singles}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Songs written by Gordon Mills