DEL SHANNON - THE ANSWER TO EVERYTHING

[wareidav]

I`m a real sucker for those brilliantly angelic backing singers.

Love it. Love it. love it.

Great posting.

More please :-)

[mmomsboy]

Wow! Good old Del. This Song Just Cannot Be Sung Any Better Than This!

[Gerald5213]

My wife & I danced to Runaway in 1961, and still can. Saw DEl in Exeter prior to 1990. Such a sad loss.

[TheDreammygrl]

why why this was never released as an A side i will never know its probably the best del shannon song ever i love it

[UnderTheAffluence]

The Smiths used this song as inspiration for their B Side 'Please please please let me get what I want'. The song is considered as one of the best songs written by the Smiths, and features on a John Lewis 2011 Xmas advert.

[Chris1967F]

My mum and dad renewed their vows after 45 years and this was the song for their dance no wonder what a singer and a song

[zoegilchrist1]

great great song should have been an a side a really emotive song also liked the david alexander version dels version the best though

[docterdick]

thank you del this was my brothers song bless him he died of a overdose everytime i here this song it reminds me of him his name was hugh your both in heavan xxthomas

[cruachen]

I think Sydey Devines version is best, but I can't find it on YouTube, which is a pity.

[kyannos]

What a song, Truly one of Del Shannons best!!!

[bettygirlsboy]

I just love this song by Del..RIP What a nostalgic trip it was to hear this song after so many years.. Thank you.

[99crooner]

A number of people recorded this song but Del's version is best, he had a great distinctive singing voice.

[joev47]

just like to say i still have this record....a classic

[TheEilo]

AH HIS WAS THE BEST AND HIS SONGS AND I LOVE THIS ONE

[moviemuncher]

Another One of Dell Shannons Greatest. Hits. This brings back so many memories. "Thankyou" ... R.I.P Dell.

[ceramicspower]

IT'S A BRILLIANT SONG. NICE LYRICS. GOOD AND GREAT SONG , I WILL DEDICATE THIS SONG FOR ANIMAL AWARENESS. PLEASE GIVE LOVE TO ALL THE ANIMALS BECAUSE THEY LOVE YOU !!!

[Mr9614]

i just love this song brings back memories from when i was younger. brilliant.. .

[trevalamo]

great track this was playing the first time i danced with my now wife many years ago

[aldorraman]

Hear Hear......YOU TUBE is the Business!!!!

[pipyanshu]

"wow"

[gameygamey90]

42

[babes221000]

this was the song my brother and his wife had theier first dance to at their wedding last year in corfu and i cried to it

[lucyGLEEK]

ilovethissong.

[baycast]

Thanks for this, its one of my fav Del Shannon tracks.

[47runaway]

Stranger in Town - the book was written by Howard de Witt. He had to remove a load of stuff as Dels' second wife objected to it being in the book. It was hastily re-written a few errors crept in, and the flow of the book was disrupted. I was fortunate to meet Howard in 2001 at his home in Oakland , CA and if you check him out you will find he has written other books of a similar nature.

Del is my first love in terms of music and if you are like minded visit Coopersville 12/13 -ugust 2011

[TheDutch1949]

ive read dels biography its called stranger in town its absolutely brilliant

[sixchildren100]

@TheDutch1949 WOW i would love to get it may i ask were you got his book from friend i know Del was my dad,s day but i think he was AMAZING !!!

[DurhamGooner]

I sing the David Alexander version in the clubs and it still fills the floor every time at the end of the night! Lovely song.

[BARRYBAMFORD]

my dad also sang this to me i also have the 45 single it was my dad x rip dad

[53lyrical]

sixchildren100....Thanx for that. What a great story about your Dad.Strange how some tunes are there in the back of your mind and suddenly.....you start singing it and wonder were the hell it came from. Like you I was brought up with my Mum always singing so I have many happy memories.My Dad, bless him, cant listen to this song just yet, too many memories. David Alexandre version is good too, although Mum reckoned he sang the verses the wrong way round.

[sixchildren100]

@53lyrical Aww precious friend thats so sad about your dear dad bless him....Yes dad sang in clubs when i was a baby yet it MUST have stuck in my brain and to hear him sing it in a dream after he passed blessed me so much being the only girl with 5 bros i took dads passing so terrible thank God for music it ALWAYS brings precious people together i MUST check D.A version thankyou have a lovely day life is short music goes on forever WOW..

[sixchildren100]

I dedicate this song to my HERO DAD Thomas Shannon 6.3.42.to 3.12.09.R.I.P.DADDY love Angel-Rose..

[sixchildren100]

Strangest thing my dad passed on 3.12.09 he was a singer when he was young and i had a dream and herd him sing this song i did,nt see his face i just herd him sing this song i got up goggled the words and found it WOW R.I.P DAD...What a great song now i have herd it i remember him singing it when i was a baby WOW.

[JoshShuffle15]

R.i.p Bamp, love you to bits!

[ChrisWales22]

Does anyone know if there is a Del Shannon biography available (apart from the one that's about $80) ??

[raynman1949]

One of the best b-sides ever!

[iBurnsey01]

1st dance with mother in law

[53lyrical]

My Mum & Dad did a duet to this song at a local pub, and to be honest, anywhere that had an organist. Sadly Mum died yesterday, 26/01/2011. R.I.P. It will always remind me of her.

[nookybroon]

@53lyrical so sorry about your loss i hope things get better for you ,to your mum R.I.P .

[sixchildren100]

@53lyrical So sorry to hear that my friend and R.I.P YOUR DEAR MUM xxx Angel..My prayers to ALL the family at this sad time xxx.

[rocknroller53]

del your music will always be in my heart and soul and i promise will live on as long as i do

[landrearescuers]

Marr (Smiths) composed "Please please please let me get what i want" according to this song :)

[closedcircle1]

I've always rated this as his best ever song.

[Teezy1951]

.... and how many people have covered this brilliant song?

[DOKK212]

Sydney Devine nailed this...go on Steak & Kidney.

[ChrisWales22]

Has anyone read Del's biography? The only one I'm aware of is around £/$ 65

[JoshShuffle15]

my bamps funeral song:'(

[rockinkb]

just trolling through Del vids, im guilty of not responding to comments on my channel, so here go's on yours, yeah thanks for keeping the Del dream alive, he sure derseves it, a great b,side, im lovin it!!!!!

[Beau631]

I remember Roger Daltrey and his band singing this in the back room of a working mens club where we would watch them practise in the early 60s.Would he sing it now?I think he would.

[TheDutch1949]

has to be one of dels best songs the man was brilliant miss you del aka charles westover now listen to broken promises and kelly

[33kenmar1]

I heard this song for the first time in years at a club in the lake district, it drove me nuts trying to remember the singer, I had a good idea, but could not wait to get back to my computer to confirm.

Lucky I was correct, What a great song and singer, I still have the original 45 record

[furygirl1947]

Just love this one thank you for putting it on xxx

[BarneyUSMC]

Great song...Thanks for sharing.

[caerleonborn]

love ittt

[bigjohnthered1]

Class song

[cheekymonkey820]

brilliant video



[hrpman]

Only a B-side - but Del couldn't make a bad record. This is superb!

[KatDn7]

@hrpman There must be something about Del Shannon B-sides. This one, and Kelly (which was also a B-side) were the major dance floor hits of my young day!

[cybersjock]

This is my mothers song, we are old school jocks and all have a song that we sing!!

[vysemassive]

God I love this song sooooooooooooooo much !!!! Love you Nan x x

[jdb4life]

big song..... really could relate

[TheTellater]

This song is one of the best i have ever heard. Icant stop singing it makes me wish i was around the time it came out.

[mijahan]

Never knew he sang this song. I know it most famously by David Alexander because it was played at every party in Liverpool during the 1980's.

[texast113]

I saw Del at the Liverpool Empire It was packed and he got a fantastic reception and a massive standing ovation within weeks he was dead he thought he was a failure what a loss

[249mickyj]

this great song brings back wonderful memories, iwas lucky enough tosee del 3 times in the 60s

[dancollins100]

Another fantastic song that shoud have been a no 1 hit..A lot of his B side songs were as good as the A side

[mallyjacks]

Thanks for uploading this. It was one of Del Shannons best but was only on the B side of So Long Baby.

It's nice to know others like it too.

I also tried to find it on compilation recordings without success.

Since I have the original single on the London label I can confirm it was written by Bob Hilliard and Burt Bacharach.

[19131915]

Many thanks for the information. I'll update the details.

[stevegale1948]

@mallyjacks It was on the 1st LP I bought Hats off to Del Shannon in 1963 first money i earned the words still ring true and i loves Del's voice

[mallyjacks]

@stevegale1948 Thanks for the info'.

Yes the reason why songs like this were so good is that they express such feeling in a simple but oh so effective way. Something that is lacking today.

[stevegale1948]

@mallyjacks Was looking on amazon for the UK and saw the cd for sale there checked USA site and low and behold its there Hats off to Del Shannon

[dar2043]

@mallyjacks I am really sorry but i`m 54 & I`M SURE IT WAS A B SIDE TO KELLY, DAVE

[mallyjacks]

@dar2043

Well I have the original 45 on the London label (G Britain) and it is definitely - So Long Baby /Answer To Everything. :)

[sixchildren100]

@mallyjacks This IS TRUE i saw it when i was looking for Answer to every thing..

[dar2043]

I am really sorry but i`m 54 & I`M SURE IT WAS A B SIDE TO KELLY, DAVE

[mrjudwalk]

@mallyjacks this recording is on vynil lp del shannon greatest hits brlp51 along with other greats!

[TheNewPartyMovement]

@mallyjacks I Love This Song! I sang it as a 'Bluecoat' entertainer. I sang a slightly faster version, as a pop ballad instead of the Country N Western style Del Shannon does it in. I also sang it on 'Sky Star Search' in 1989. I'll have to find the video and put it on YouTube.

I also have the 45 single well used but still plays, I bought all of his singles on London label. The last couple he changed labels.

[thinlizzynut]

epic song

[queenred1]

try joe dolans version of this song , superb!!!

[crapasallgetout]

reckon is his best song. thankxxxx

[Fer0c10us]

Excellent - and this was only a B side.

[taphn]

this song does so much for del shannon's talent .

[kissinking]

i have the version that david Alexander released as a single it is slightly different and a lot better to the album version it starts with hawaiian guitars

[suetnose]

fantastic song,listen to joe dolan and david alexander,they do it justice.

[imalovedrunk]

for a very special lady

[pixienumber9]

Beautiful song and what a lovely voice

Thank You for sharing

Much Love

[Kittielips]

I don't get what he's getting at. Of course I do! I'm misstified as to what he's waffling on about anyway, aren't you?

Thank you.

Fondest regards.

[lilleman54]

Wonderful 5 stars Thanks for posting

[johnty5]

nothing wrong with a good nostalgia fix ive found records i havent heard for years on you tube ,best thing to come of the internet

[bettygirlsboy]

I totally agree with you. I spend many a happy hour being transported back to the past. Great.

[bettynon]

I have been trying to get this song for years I din't know Del Shannon had recorded it I heard a very long time ago by a Scottish

group Tommy Tousdale & the sundowners he's on the radio now excellent

[Jackandizzy]

The best of the best.

[51527983]

It is the best version of this song by miles. I had been trying to get hold of it for years and two years ago I asked my daughter to get me a greatest hits of Del Shannon but It had to have the answer to everything and Kelly on. Unfortunately it had everything but this one on it. I come on to this site every few weeks for my nostalgia fix

[old65rocker]

Don`t we all use these sites for our nostalgia fix.

Thanks to everyone who posts these clips.

[andystyper]

just listen to david alexander singing this song,it's in a different league all together .pure and utter power this man had

[StenhouseJC]

The best Shannon song ever

[Lindanator09]

Ive always liked this song it should have  been an A side one of his best

[TheFosterstwist]

ima 17 yr old and i love singing this song but i only do it in front of family

[10023246]

I cannot think of how this record can be bettered , At work I remember many a boy at the time sent this record as a valentine.

A play again and again.....

[2notes3heartbeats]

b sides those days were better than most a sides now

[madarch52]

great song how could they think that this was a b side.

[sloanesqua]

Yes incredible B Side - cant believe its nearly 50 years old - thanx for sharing it

[Archie7748]

This was always one of my favourite songs from Del, I tried to start the Del Shannon fan club in Glasgow early 60's, I had the great pleasure in meeting him in the St roch's club and managed to my wife and I photographed with him, he is and always will be the greatest for me.

[MARKETMAN6789]

one of my fav songs,great act loved him singing live,

[safeway56]

I once spotted Del Shannon shopping in London...I asked him for an autograph..not having any paper he signed me a cheque !!

[HitMeQuick]

how much for?

[60sClaret]

Another classic from Del, B side of So Long Baby. Some other great tracks from Del that are worth hearing are, Kelly, a great fave in Northern England, I go to pieces, written by Del, The Big Hurt, originally by Toni Fisher, but his version is far superior, and check out You never talked about me, also done by the Drifters.

[KatDn7]

Kelly was also a hit "all over Aberdeen", and other selected (small) places in the North East of Scotland!

[sukie1958]

i have the video of del singing i go to pieces but it was rejected by youtube

[Reint25]

Johnny Marr (guitarist The Smiths), used this song to write Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want as an inspiration.

[littledroogie]

Damn, they're both such good songs. I don't know which one I like more, haha.

[tdneil34]

i liked this song from the very first time i hurd it on the b side of so long baby its one of his best song

[chuckiewojo]

Listen to Del's live version of this song from his 1972 concert, it is fantastic!

[oceanbound222]

WOW, beautiful !!

First time I am hearing this song

[L4MBYPIE]

David Alexanda sings this far better

[benny266698]

I really love this song takes me back to my youth

[closedcircle1]

Charles Westover is Dell's real name. Joe Dolan had a cover hit with this in 1964 but I still think Dell Shannon's version is the best.

[MrHolmis]

Bob Hilliard, Burt Bacharach wrote this song!

[delshan668]

This song was written by Bacharach/Hillyard  and have it on a burt Bacharach CD and Del Shannon was made the original!!!!!

[dosybeak]

who wrote the answer

[laerskine]

my absolute fav. Del Shannon track - fabulous! Many thanks for posting.

[crazydiamond62]

pure brill

[eirbiz]

Sounds very like Floyd Cramer on the piano on this iconic tune of my favourite era...the 60's.

[heydolz]

This is his best song ever-

Played at the club (our club ) on a Saturday night when we all get up and dance and think of loved ones lol

cheers for posting this

[Jackandizzy]

This has to be Del's best song after 'Runaway'. The ultimate love song. Anyone else is free to sing it [Scottish C&W singer Sydney Devine did it also] but there is only one Del Shannon!

[closedcircle1]

Joe Dolan, a singer wrote this song. Dell Shannon's original version was the flip side of 'Hats off to Larry' in 61. However, Joe Dolan himself sang and released it in 64. David Alexander was mainly a cabaret singer who made this his theme song.

[thekeeper1977]

Del shannon version is simply the best!!!!!!

[closedcircle1]

In my opinion, this is the original and best version of this song. Possibly Dell Shannon's best track.

[theBESTelvis]

did del write this song to ??

all the club singers always refer to this song as being david alexanders, when it wasnt and it bloody annoys me.

[dundeebhoy93]

The Answer To Everything was written by Charles Westover........

[theBESTelvis]

so is charles westover ....del shannon then ??

[dundeebhoy93]

Yes, Del wrote it 1961

[dundeedfc]

My dad song this at ny baptisis and his wedding i lobe him sad hes past away

[eemjmm]

so too has Del Shannon. Sympathy to you also -losing your dad --who had good taste in choosing this song. I always liked Del Shannon's soulful voice.

[eamorgan123]

to baratittafilmer just to let you know del shannon was not in the same league as JOE DOLAN Joe had a great voice and great range of voice he was unique i am sorry for you that del killed his self but Joe wanted to live thats how strange some people are but you have your opinion and i have mine ok.

[splashbuy]

the answer to everything sydney devine singing it is much more !!!!!!!!!

[baratittafilmer]

I do I do I do, Del you know you´re the only one for me,for ever, caro

[rosieL1962]

does anybody have christian singing this plz he was known as chris mcleur as well i think

[eamorgan123]

Joe Dolan done the best version of this song the one and only the best ever they dont make them like JOE any more r.i.p JOE.

[baratittafilmer]

I don´t understand how you can say that,???!!!

Maybe in you´re opinion, but as you know, the taste is very different, so I think Del´s is the Best version,so why don´t you go to Joe´s site and give him you´re chears and leave Del to the one´s who Love Del,caro

[johnty5]

one of his best unfortunately didnt come out as an a side or else it would have been a number one

[Robbieoz]

this is the one, flipside of "hats off to Larry"

my fav

[joepavia]

a Lovely song written by burt bacharach the lyrics were written by bob hilliard

[gmosy]

All time great, with magic lyrics, Dell lives on!

[eenavid]

my old mum used to love this song. we all loved del as a family. i can still hear her belting this song out.i only have to play the intro, and theres mum singing along. bygone days.england summers..bobbys on bycycles two by two,,,

[DoLLyChLoe]

What a romantic song --- love it! Del Shannon's voice is gorgeous. ReoW!

[closedcircle1]

This Dell's best track.

[barrygioportmorien1]

I have never heard this song by Del before, It's a good one.

[lola5257]

please can any one help...as anyone got a copy of the song...kelly.....on video ty

[eenavid]

try lokoking for the aussie dvd del made his only concert..clk in dels dvd..good luck

[splashbuy]

listen to sydney.

[benny266698]

thanks for posting love it

[bonus43]

a great song by a great artist

[tamhamilton]

i like Sydeny's version

[iamashytalk]

Better than all his hits,such a great song,Sydney Devine ,a Scots country music singer had this as his signature tune ,if I remember correctly.

[roswellnw0]

not heard this since a teenager,always loved it.the lyrics are magic,i wonder if del wrote this use to go see him when he came to uk.still in our thoughts.del.

[baratittafilmer]

Yes,it´s Del´s lovely lyrics, it was out on BigTop in august 1961, he was so full of love and I love him so much,always in my heart,caro

[baratittafilmer]

This kind of music is never on the air nowadays,its only noicy kinky no I cant even call it music,why cant we hear this on the radio now?? thankfully there is vinyl and now cd´s so we can hear theese wunderful songs whenever and I play them every day,my heart is yours forever Del,caro

[horseluver478alita]

I love this song :)

[mariecs1969]

♥♥♥ Beautiful words in this song, love it ♥♥♥

[eirbiz]

I remember another world famous artist recording a cover of this back in the early sixties. He's name was Joe Dolan and he died three weeks ago. If you haven't heard of Joe, just put in a search in google for 'Joe Dolan'

and surprise yourself.

He was from Mullingar in Ireland and WAS the most popular singer/entertainer in this country for nearly fifty years.

For many of us,it's definitely the end of an era.

We miss you Joe!

[barrygioportmorien1]

You are right about Joe Dolan, until I saw your comments on Del Shannon I had never heard of him, but I can tell you if I had I would have been a big fan. I am Canadian so his music must have never got across the pond to us, too bad. At least I can listen and get to know his music through youtube.

[closedcircle1]

This, in my opinon is Dell's best track. It came out as the 'b' side of 'Hats off to Larry' and was covered in the late 70s by David Alexander in UK, who made it his signature tune. Unfortunately, most people at that time hadn't heard this far superior earlier Dell Shannon version.

[naboki85]

Nice.. I really like this song..Please listen to the Irish man Joe Dolan too he has a brilliant voice..

[PtHough]

better than Sydney !!