This is for all the lonely people
Thinking that life has passed them by
Don't give up
Until you drink from the silver cup
And ride that highway in the sky

This is for all the single people
Thinking that love has left them dry
Don't give up
Until you drink from the silver cup
You never know until you try

Well, I'm on my way
Yes, I'm back to stay
Well, I'm on my way back home

This is for all the lonely people
Thinking that life has passed them by
Don't give up
Until you drink from the silver cup
She'll never take you down or
Never give you up
You'll never know until you try


Lyrics submitted by Ice, edited by battleaxfun

Lonely People Lyrics as written by Daniel M. Peek Catherine L. Peek

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Lonely People song meanings
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22 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    ‘The second single from Holiday was a Dan Peek composition, "Lonely People." Co-written with Dan's wife, Catherine, "Lonely People" was a very simple song with a potent message, a radical departure from America's lyrically vague efforts of the past, including Dewey's impressionistic "Tin Man." Lasting just under two and a half minutes, it was a short song even for a group noted for its brief compositions, but then a powerful message need not take long to articulate. "Lonely People" featured a strikingly positive and upbeat feel for a song which basically had a melancholy underpinning -- that of loneliness and emptiness. The song also featured both a harmonica and a piano solo toward the middle of the song for the just the right hook. The honesty of both the flavor and the message that the song offered struck a chord with the public, and it rode all the way to Number Five on the Billboard singles chart in March 1975. Ten years later, Dan reflected back on the song's legacy: I've had a lot of letters from people, a lot of people coming up to me personally, and... some have even said it literally changed their life. When you have that kind of response, that's what you're looking for really as an artist. Every artist is trying to convey some kind of a message. It may be as simple as, "Let's all let our hair down and have a good time"... So I'm happy that "Lonely People'" has a good message and one that people have received, and one that has touched a lot of people.’

    Source: Comprehensive History: America Revisited accessbackstage.com/america/hist01.htm

    leonardo217on September 12, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    this is a really nice song about lonely single ppl, i like to listen when im feeling shit about not having a woman. Like tonight when i had to go to a party with this guy who is an asshole and has a really gorgeous girlfriend. She is hot and friendly and smart ant just all round a really beautiful girl, he does not deserve her. This song is part of my feeling sorry for myself collection, because i listen to it when im drunk and i think about how much i deserve skye and nat doesnt.

    god bless ozon March 25, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    hey i think it was written for people like him, i know i like to complain when im feelin down about loneliness

    Event_Horizonon October 11, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    although i do prefer lonely songs to be written in the first person point of view, i guess it makes it more real

    Event_Horizonon October 11, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song is about lonely people who find Jesus.

    Don't give up from being such a lonely worthless SOB until you drink from the silver chalice of Jesus Christ and join him in heaven on the highway in the sky.

    FyourRegistrationon August 16, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song is so simple, but uplifting. The short piano solo was a very nice touch, too.

    ConductivePigeonon June 02, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Is this the complet lyric?

    Erin Lynnon April 19, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    believe it or not, it's complete

    dmg18on August 31, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    although i do prefer lonely songs to be written in the first person point of view, i guess it makes it more real

    Event_Horizonon October 11, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The harmonica/piano solo: simple, but just perfect!

    same4chordson October 24, 2006   Link

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