"Lonely Island" is a song by American singer-songwriter

Sam Cooke Samuel Cook (January 22, 1931 – December 11, 1964), known professionally as Sam Cooke, was an American singer and songwriter. Considered to be a pioneer and one of the most influential soul artists of all time, Cooke is commonly referred ...

, released on March 24, 1958 by

Keen Records Keen Records was an American independent record label, founded by John and Alex Siamas in 1957 in Los Angeles. John Siamas was a successful businessman in the aerospace industry, and, as a music aficionado, started Keen as a side business. They ...

. The song peaked at number 10 on ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

'' Hot R&B Sides chart, and also charted within the top 30 of the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.

Background

The emphasis of the recording session in which "Lonely Island" was cut was to record ballads. "The sound was pure pop, with the same antiseptic chorus to which ormer label Specialty_Records.html" ;"title="ormer label Specialty Records">ormer label Specialty Records ownerArt [Rupe">Specialty Records">ormer label Specialty Records owner">Specialty_Records.html" ;"title="ormer label Specialty Records">ormer label Specialty Records ownerArt [Rupehad so vociferously objected, and whatever the pedigree of the material, or its limitations, Sam carried off the performance without a hint of hesitation, condescension, or awe," said biographer Peter Guralnick.Guralnick, Peter (2005). ''Dream Boogie: The Triumph of Sam Cooke''. New York: Back Bay Books, p. 194. First edition, 2005.

Charts

References

{{authority control 1958 singles">Little, Brown and Company">Back Bay Books, p. 194. First edition, 2005.

Charts

References

{{authority control 1958 singles Sam Cooke songs Songs written by Sam Cooke 1958 songs Soul ballads Keen Records singles