The Motels – Only The Lonely
“Only the Lonely” is a 1982 song by the American new wave band The Motels. It was released as the lead single from the band’s fourth studio album All Four One and became The Motels’ biggest hit, reaching #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US.
Only The Lonely The Motels Lyrics Meaning
“Only the Lonely” is a song by The Motels, released in 1982. The lyrics depict feelings of loneliness, longing, and unfulfilled desires in the context of a romantic relationship.
The opening line, “We walked the loneliest mile,” sets the tone for the song, suggesting a sense of isolation and emotional distance despite being in a relationship. The lyrics go on to describe a desire for connection and intimacy, but it’s met with a sense of being alone or misunderstood.
Lines like “Only the lonely can play” emphasize that feeling of isolation, suggesting that only those who truly understand or have experienced deep loneliness can fully grasp the emotions being conveyed.
The chorus, with the repetition of “Only the lonely” emphasizes the theme of solitude and a yearning for companionship or understanding. The singer is expressing the idea that the deepest emotions and experiences can only truly be understood by someone who has also felt the same level of loneliness.
Overall, the song delves into the emotional complexities of being alone, even within a relationship, and highlights the longing for genuine connection and understanding. The repetition of the phrase “Only the lonely” underscores the central theme of isolation and the struggle to find true emotional connection.
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Lyric
We walked the loneliest mile
We smiled without any style
We kiss altogether wrong
No intention
We lied about each other’s drinks
We lived without each other thinking
What anyone would do
Without me and you
It’s like I told you
Only the lonely can play
So hold on, here we go
Hold on to nothing we know
I feel so lonely
Way up here
You mention the time we were together
So long ago
Well, I don’t remember
All I know is that it makes me feel good now
It’s like I told you
Only the lonely can play
Only the lonely
Only the lonely can play
Only the lonely
Only the lonely can play
It’s like I told you
Only the lonely can play
Only the lonely
Only the lonely can play