Lonely Boy - Andrew Gold (1977) 1/19/21

Today's “Great Song of the '70s” is autobiographical--right down to specific years in the life of the artist, Andrew Gold.

“Lonely Boy” is a catchy little song that spent 5 MONTHS on the charts in 1977... reaching #7 in both the US and Canada.

Here's how closely the lyrics mirrored his life:

Lyric #1: "He was born on a summer day in 1951." Fact: Andrew was born on August 2nd, 1951.

Lyric #2: "In the summer of '53 his mother brought him a sister." Fact: Andrew's sister, Martha, was born on July 22nd, 1953.

Lyric #3: "He left home on a winter day, 1969.” Fact: Andrew left home in late 1969 to go on tour with his band, Bryndle.

The interesting thing—at least to me—is that the song is about loneliness and disillusionment, but it's so darn upbeat! And pulling off THAT little trick is why I think “Lonely Boy” is a “Great Song of the '70s!

Trivia #1: The harmony vocal on the second verse was provided by Linda Ronstadt!

Trivia #2: Andrew has quite a musical pedigree! His father was Ernest Gold, the Academy Award-winning composer who took home 1960's “Best Score” Oscar for the epic film, “Exodus.” His mother was Marni Nixon, the legendary “ghost singer” who overdubbed Audrey Hepburn in “My Fair Lady,” Natalie Wood in “West Side Story,” and Deborah Kerr in “The King and I.” She also appeared on screen as Sister Sophia in “The Sound of Music!”

"Lonely Boy" (1977)