When You Lose Someone So Young

Album: Rebel (1976)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In the April 3, 1976 issue of Melody Maker, this John Miles/Bob Marshall composition is described by reviewer C.W. as "a plaintive cry, as the title suggests, and proves that the artist has heart and sentiment."
  • Running to 4 minutes 35 seconds, this is the sixth track on the Rebel album, and as it follows the title track, it would be logical to assume it was written about James Dean, who was killed in a car crash in September 1955, aged only 24, but it can also be viewed as a generic song about anyone who died young from Janis Joplin to (the post-Rebel) Damilola Taylor. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments: 2

  • Brian from Warwickshire, EnglandI believe this song was written about a good friend of mine, Mel Dickenson who died young in 1973. He was a follower of the John Miles Set and previously Influence in the early Seventies at the Bay Hotel Whitburn and other venues.
  • Steve from Torrance, CaGreat album, great song, but I've always thought he was trying to sound like Elton John on this one!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."

Classic Metal

Classic MetalFact or Fiction

Ozzy, Guns N' Roses, Judas Priest and even Michael Bolton show up in this Classic Metal quiz.

Artis the Spoonman

Artis the SpoonmanSong Writing

Even before Soundgarden wrote a song about him, Artis was the most famous spoon player of all time. So why has he always been broke?

Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

Rufus Wainwright

Rufus WainwrightSongwriter Interviews

Rufus Wainwright on "Hallelujah," his album Unfollow The Rules, and getting into his "lyric trance" on 12-hour walks.