My 100 Favorite Charted Pop Songs: You’re Only Lonely

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Sn*w squall warnings, huh? Have you heard of these? Like a severe thunderstorm warning for winter. They say we might get some this afternoon. I need something to warm me up, and what better than a great song. Here’s today’s song from the Billboard Hot 100. You’re Only Lonely - J.D. Souther Unless something happens in the next three weeks — and I certainly pray it doesn’t — J.D. Souther will be the #1 person on the list of 2024 music obituaries for me in next month’s countdown. (So you’ll only have to worry about 30 days! ) His death earlier this year really hit me hard. I love his music, and I was so thrilled to get to meet him in 2009. First up: this IS NOT “Only the Lonely.” I’m amazed how many people still mistake this for the Roy Orbison song. Yes, Souther paid a little homage to Orbison with that final note in the song, but they only share two words out of the three in the title. (That, and Orbison and Souther both grew up in Texas….) This was Souther’s only hit as a singer. However, as a songwriter, he had a boatload of them, including co-writing three of the five #1 songs the Eagles had. He was an unofficial Eagle (you can see him and Jackson Browne as two of the outlaws on the back cover of the Eagles’ Desperado album), with his very first album being a duet with Glenn Frey called Longbranch Pennywhistle. Ironically, the Eagles won a CMA award for their hit from Long Road Out of Eden for “How Long,” which Souther wrote and originally recorded in 1972 (with Frey singing backup). As the people I listened to in the 70s get older and older it’s inevitable that they’ll soon be popping up on the obits list. It’s a fact of life. Doesn’t make it any less painful. Thanks for this song, J.D., and for all of ‘em. You’re Only Lonely Written by J.D. Souther Recorded by J.D. Souther From You’re Only Lonely, 1979 Peak chart position: #7 (also charted #60 country) Today’s country song: “Wishful Thinking” You can call out my name: