Born in Jackson, Mississippi, Kinney began singing in the late 1960s, and joined the vocal group, The Poppies, replacing their former singer, Patsy McClune. Kinney remained in the group with Dorothy Moore and Rosemary Taylor for about two years, and also released a solo single, "Your Love's Not Reliable", during this time, however it was not a success.
In the early 1970s she began working as a session musician and backing vocalist. Among the songs she sang on were King Floyd's "Groove Me", and her former "Poppie" bandmate Dorothy Moore's 1976 Top 10 single, "Misty Blue".
By then having settled as a housewife, Kinney in 1979 decided to attempt a comeback, and she recorded her own version of "Groove Me", but changed the rhythm on the song to turn it into a disco dance track. The song reached number 6 on the Billboard dance chart. Her next single "Together We Are Beautiful", released in 1980 was another disco song, but with a slower and more sultry beat. It had been recorded by the British vocalist, Steve Allan, eighteen months earlier. It failed to chart in the United States, but oddly reached number one in the United Kingdom.
Kinney's subsequent releases attempted to continue in the disco style, however by this time the disco fad had reached its peak and Kinney was unable to repeat her success. By 1983 she had returned to her earlier career as a backing vocalist. In 1994, Music Club released an album (MCCD 167) of Kinney's records called Chemistry The Best Of under the licence from Malaco Records, which contained 17 tracks.
Lonely For So Long
Fern Kinney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't seem like happiness will come along
I′ve been lonely for so long
Don't seem like happiness will come along
These ain't raindrops over my head
Everybody′s throwin′ rocks in my bed
Just can't seem to get ahead in life
Won′t somebody help me please
Cause I've been lonely for so long
Don′t seem like happiness will come along
I've been lonely for so long
Don't seem like happiness will come along
I lay awake every night
Tryin′ to figure out how to make things right
There′s gotta be a better way I know
To shake this monkey off
Cause he's makin′ me so
Won't somebody help me please
Cause I′ve been lonely for so long
Don't seem like happiness will come along
I′ve been lonely for so long
Don't seem like happiness will come along
Baby, you know
I've been so lonely
All I need is for you to be by my side
To hold me, squeeze me baby
Come closer baby
Don′t go away please
Don′t go away
I lay awake every night
Tryin' to figure out how to make things right
There′s gotta be a better way I know
To shake this monkey off
Cause he's makin′ me so
Won't somebody help me please
Cause I′ve been lonely for so long
Don't seem like happiness will come along
And I need somebody
An angel on the ground
And I need somebody to groove me yeah...
The lyrics to Fern Kinney's song "Lonely For So Long" express a deep sense of loneliness and longing for happiness. The repetition of the phrase "I've been lonely for so long" emphasizes the enduring nature of the singer's loneliness. Despite this, there is a glimmer of hope as the singer asks for help and seeks a better way to overcome their loneliness.
The opening lines suggest that the singer feels overwhelmed by negativity in their life, symbolized by rocks being thrown in their bed. This image reflects the constant challenges and setbacks they face, making it difficult for happiness to come their way. The feeling of helplessness is further emphasized as the singer pleads for someone to assist them, indicating their desperate need for support.
The second verse reveals the singer's sleepless nights, trying to find a solution and make things right. They acknowledge that there must be a better way to break free from their state of loneliness. The phrase "shake this monkey off" suggests that the singer wants to rid themselves of the burden weighing them down.
In the bridge section, the singer addresses a person they long to have by their side. They express their vulnerability and longing for the presence of that person, hoping they can be embraced and comforted. The plea for them not to go away reflects the fear of being left alone again.
Overall, "Lonely For So Long" is a poignant plea for companionship and happiness amidst a prolonged feeling of isolation. It highlights the universal desire for human connection and the recognition that we often need someone else's support to overcome our struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
Cause I've been lonely for so long
I have been feeling incredibly isolated and without companionship for an extended period of time
Don't seem like happiness will come along
It appears that joy and contentment are unlikely to enter my life
These ain't raindrops over my head
The difficulties I face are not simple hardships; they feel like constant torment
Everybody's throwin' rocks in my bed
People around me are constantly causing me harm or distress
Just can't seem to get ahead in life
I continuously struggle to make progress or achieve success in any aspect of my existence
Ain't nothin' I do ever turns out right
No matter what actions I take, they always seem to result in unfavorable outcomes
Won't somebody help me please
I desperately long for assistance and support from anyone who might be willing to offer it
I lay awake every night
During the nighttime, I find myself unable to sleep, consumed by worry and anxiety
Tryin' to figure out how to make things right
I continuously attempt to find solutions or strategies to resolve my difficulties and bring about positive change
There's gotta be a better way I know
I firmly believe that there must be a more favorable and fulfilling path for me to follow
To shake this monkey off
To rid myself of this overwhelming burden or obstacle that is causing me distress
Cause he's makin' me so
Because this issue is profoundly affecting and troubling me
Baby, you know
My dear, you are aware
I've been so lonely
I have experienced intense feelings of isolation
All I need is for you to be by my side
The only thing I require for comfort and happiness is your presence and support
To hold me, squeeze me baby
To embrace and hold me tightly, my love
Come closer baby
Move nearer to me, my dear
Don't go away please
Please do not leave my side
Don't go away
Do not depart from me
And I need somebody
I yearn for the presence of someone
An angel on the ground
A compassionate and supportive individual in my everyday life
And I need somebody to groove me yeah...
I require someone to inspire and uplift me, to bring joy and rhythm into my life
Writer(s): Jerry Weaver, Posie Knight
Contributed by Nathan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.