When the heart pines…

Manpriya Singh

Nothing is as intense as misery. Not even happiness. Just as nothing is as intense as loneliness; not even love. While there are several things that a lonely heart needs; some solace and a song are most welcome. Here’s revisiting a few popular songs.

Hall of fame

Back in the day, Backstreet Boys popularly questioned in their song Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely. Well, generations of lyricists have tried sharing what it is like being not just alone rather lonely. Starting from Akon famously declaring that in his song Lonely, Lonely, I’m Mr Lonely, I have nobody to call of my own. Even though the latter part of the lyrics make amply clear it’s because of his girl walking out, the start of the song is sure to resonate with even those who have had a lonely childhood.

Very few songwriters have addressed the emotion without bringing in a failed love relationship into play. Like the very popular Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day; the ultimate track for a lonely soul, whatever the reason. I walk a lonely road, The only one that I have ever known. Don’t know where it goes, but it’s home to me and I walk alone. On a similar note, there’s Lonely is the Word by Black Sabbath. It’s a long way to nowhere and I’m leaving very soon. Hey join me the traveller if you got nowhere to go. Hang your head and take my hand.

A broken heart is likely to be the most lonesome. There are endless songs and countless artists who’ve addressed the issues of a lonely heart. Starting with Elvis Presley’s Are You Lonesome Tonight? It’s a song that refers to the first spell of sadness after break-up. Are you lonesome tonight? Do you miss me tonight?...Do you gaze at your doorstep and picture me there? Followed by his yet another classic, Heartbreak Hotel. Legend has it that the songwriter was inspired by a newspaper article about a man who killed himself and left behind a note saying only, I walk a lonely street.

Youngster’s take

It doesn’t make a complete list unless there’s Mick Jagger’s Lonely At The Top. The song talks of a go getter woman, especially the small town girls easily led astray. Nevertheless, it is lonely at the top. Shares Virasat Dogra, from GCG 42, “I quite like Janet Jackson’s I Get Lonely. It is hummable and not all that sad a song.” It is hard to come across lyrics that confess loneliness without being outright hopeless. The very popular and Grammy-nominated track from Janet Jackson confesses to a girl getting lonely without her love interest by the side, but it doesn’t sound all that depressed. Loneliness can be overpowering but sometimes all inspiring, especially for song lyrics. Any debaters?

[email protected]