Album: You're Only Lonely (1979)

Charted: 7

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• When the world is ready to fall on your little shoulders
  And, when you're feeling lonely and small,
  You need somebody there to hold you;
  You can call out my name
  
  When you're only lonely;
  Now, don't you ever be ashamed;
  You're only lonely.
  
  When you need somebody around on the nights that try you
  I was there when you were a queen
  And I'll be the last one there beside you;
  So you can call out my name
  
  When you're only lonely;
  Now, don't you ever be ashamed;
  You're only lonely. (You're only lonely)
  (You're only lonely) (You're only lonely)
  
  Ooh, When the world is ready to fall on your little shoulders
  And, when you're feeling lonely and small,
  You need somebody there to hold you;
  So don't you ever be ashamed
  When you're only lonely;
  You can call out my name
  
  When you're only lonely; (You're only lonely)
  When you're only lonely; (You're only lonely)
  Ooh, it's no crime,
  Darlin', we got lots of time,
  Woh, woh, (You're only lonely)
  Woh, woh, woh, (You're only lonely)
  No there's nothing wrong with you,
  Darlin, I get lonely too.
  (You're only lonely)(You're only lonely)
  So, if you need me, (You're only lonely)
  All you've gotta do is call me
  Well, you're only lonely
  (You're only lonely)(You're only lonely)
  Ooh, ooh, (You're only lonely) Writer/s: JOHN DAVID SOUTHER, JOHN SOUTHER
  Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 7

• Suzierockfan from IndianaI think this is absolutely about Linda Ronstadt with the Queen reference. You're only lonely is saying, I can come over and be with you, even if it is not true love or you don't want a serious relationship, you're only lonely and need human contact. That is why he says it's no crime and not to be ashamed. Maybe a bit of unrequited love for JD who will take what he can get.
• Seventhmist from 7th HeavenInteresting story, Ken. Thanks for sharing.
• Keith Mccarthy from Southern CaliforniaWikipedia states that J.D. Souther was born in Detroit, Michigan. Does anyone know where, and for how long he lived there? (Another Detroit kid).
• Art from South CarolinaI was wondering if he was writing that to Linda Ronstadt. The lyrics go "I was there when you were a queen and I'll be the last one their beside you". Linda was referred to as the queen of rock and roll along with a couple others and her and J.D. were an item at one time. Linda never married but did have a seemingly endless list of boy friends although she stated in one interview she was often left alone when "the boys" went out.
• Ken from Louisville, KyA lot of people wonder why Souther wasn't in the Eagles. In 1971, J.D. and his roommate Glenn Frey were told by neighbor Jackson Browne that his label, Asylum Records, was looking for solo singer-songwriters. So they both auditioned for Asylum co-owner David Geffen. Geffen signed Souther, but told Frey that he "needed to be in a group". Frey then joined Linda Ronstadt's backup band and recommended she hire a drummer he knew named Don Henley. While on tour, they decided to start their own band. But by then, Souther was already a solo artist.
• Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn December 9th, 1979, "You're Only Lonely" by J.D. Souther peaked at #7 (for 2 weeks) on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart and stayed on the chart for 21 weeks...
  As stated above it was #1 for five weeks on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Tracks chart, it reached #1 on November 17th, 1979...
  Mr. Souther, born John David Souther, celebrated his 68th birthday one month ago on November 2nd, 2013.
  
• Carol from Indianapolis, InPossibly my all-time favorite song. J.D. Souther has never gotten the recognition he deserves. Perhaps he can take heart that music legends like Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris have recorded his work and recognize him for his genius.

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