In a Lonely Place (song)

"In a Lonely Place"
Single by The Smithereens
from the album Especially for You
B-side	"Blood and Roses"
Released	1986 (1986)
Format	7", 12"
Recorded	The Record Plant, New York City
Genre	Power pop, alternative rock
Length	4:04
Label	Enigma
Writer(s)	Pat DiNizio
Producer(s)	Don Dixon
The Smithereens singles chronology
"Blood and Roses" (1986) "In a Lonely Place" (1986) "Behind the Wall of Sleep" (1986)
Especially for You track listing "Behind the Wall of Sleep" (7) "In a Lonely Place" (8) "Blood and Roses" (9)

"In a Lonely Place" is a song by the American alternative rock group The Smithereens. It features Suzanne Vega on background vocals. It is the second single released in support of their debut album Especially for You.

The song takes its title from the 1950 film noir In a Lonely Place, starring Humphrey Bogart and Gloria Grahame, and its pre-chorus lyrics are largely adapted from key lines of dialogue in the film; at one point, Bogart's character says, "I was born when she kissed me. I died when she left me. I lived a few weeks while she loved me," while in the film's climactic scene, Grahame's character says, "Yesterday, this would've meant so much to us. Now it doesn't matter... it doesn't matter at all." The relevant lyrics are:

"I was born the day I met you/Lived a while when you loved me/Died a little when we broke apart//Yesterday, it would have mattered/Now today, it doesn't mean a thing/All my hopes and dreams are shattered now."

Formats and track listing

All songs written by Pat DiNizio, except where noted.

US 7" single (B-75003)

1. "In a Lonely Place" – 4:04
2. "Blood and Roses" – 5:45

US 12" single (V-75501)

1. "In a Lonely Place" – 4:04
2. "Behind the Wall of Sleep (live)" – 3:26
3. "Beauty and Sadness (live)" – 4:10

UK 7" single (Enig 1)

1. "In a Lonely Place" – 4:04
2. "Blood and Roses (live)" – 3:59

UK 12" single (Enig 1T)

1. "In a Lonely Place" – 4:04
2. "In a Lonely Place (live)"
3. "Blood and Roses (live)" – 5:12
4. "Beauty and Sadness" – 4:10
5. "Mr. Eliminator" (Dick Dale) – 2:00

Charts

References

External links

• "In a Lonely Place" at Discogs (list of releases)