Introduction

Patti LaBelle – “On My Own” (1986) is a timeless classic that has resonated with audiences for decades. This powerful ballad showcases Patti LaBelle’s incredible vocal prowess and emotional depth. In this article, we’ll delve into the magic of this song, explore the fascinating background of both the track and its iconic performer, and even provide you with the lyrics to sing along. But before we get started, let’s kick things off with a “Did You Know?” section.Patti LaBelle talks legacy, future projects ahead of Promenade Park concert  | The Blade

Did You Know?

    • “On My Own” was a groundbreaking collaboration between Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald. This dynamic duo created a musical masterpiece that topped the charts in 1986.
    • Patti LaBelle, often referred to as the “Godmother of Soul,” has had a remarkable career spanning over six decades. Her influence on the R&B and soul genres is immeasurable, and “On My Own” is just one example of her exceptional talent.
    • The song received critical acclaim and even earned a Grammy nomination. Its emotional lyrics and powerful melodies struck a chord with listeners worldwide.
      Patti LaBelle And Michael McDonald On My Own | Patti LaBelle and Michael  McDonald Lyrics, Meaning & Videos

 

Video

Lyrics: On My Own

So many times
Said it was forever
Said our love would always be true
Something in my heart always knew
I’d be lying here beside you
On my own
On my own
On my own

So many promises never should be spoken
Now I know what loving you cost
Now we’re up to talking divorce
And we weren’t even married
On my own
Once again now
One more time
By myself

No one said it was easy
But it once was so easy
Well I believed in love
Now here I stand
I wonder why

I’m on my own
Why did it end this way
On my own
This wasn’t how it was supposed to be
On my own
I wish that we could do it all again

So many times
I know I should have told you
Losing you it cut like a knife
You walked out and there went my life
I don’t want to live without you
On my own
On my own
On my own
[Chorus Repeat]

This wasn’t how it was supposed to end
I wish that we could do it all again
I never dreamed I’d spend one night alone
On my own, I’ve got to find where I belong again
I’ve got to learn how to be strong again
I never dreamed I’d spend one night alone
By myself by myself
I’ve got to find out what was mine again
My heart is saying that it’s my time again
And I have faith that I will shine again
I have faith in me
On my own
On my own
On my own

You Missed

SOME FRIENDSHIPS ARE WRITTEN IN SONGS… BUT ONLY A FEW BECOME FOREVER. There was something truly magical about the friendship between Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton — a bond that went far beyond the stage, the spotlight, and the music. In country music history, few duos ever captured the beauty of genuine connection the way they did. Their voices blended perfectly, but it was their friendship, respect, and love for each other that made every performance unforgettable. In 2013, they gave the world one final reminder of that special bond with “You Can’t Make Old Friends.” Nearly three decades after “Islands in the Stream” became a timeless classic, Kenny and Dolly returned together to create a song that felt less like a performance and more like a heartfelt conversation between two lifelong friends. Now, that song carries an even deeper meaning. Kenny Rogers left us in 2020… and today, the world says goodbye to Dolly Parton — two extraordinary souls who brought warmth, comfort, and joy to millions through their music. They were more than country music legends. They were storytellers, dreamers, and reminders that the greatest treasures in life are the friendships we build along the way. You can create many songs. You can create many memories. But **you can’t make old friends.** Some friendships are too special to disappear. They live forever in the melodies, the memories, and the hearts of everyone who was lucky enough to witness them. Rest peacefully, Kenny. Rest peacefully, Dolly. Thank you for giving us a lifetime of music, love, and unforgettable moments. The harmony you created together will continue to play forever.

Before he ever stepped up to center stage under his own name, Cal Smith spent years standing quietly in the shadows as a sideman, playing guitar behind country legend Ernest Tubb. Born Calvin Shofner in Oklahoma and raised in California, he paid his dues in clubs and on radio before joining the Texas Troubadours in the early 1960s, watching other stars soak up the applause while his own solo ambitions moved at a crawl. By 1972, Smith was well into his late thirties with little more than modest chart placings to show for his efforts. Everything flipped when fellow songwriter Bill Anderson handed him “The Lord Knows I’m Drinking,” a sharp track about a man taking heat from a churchgoer whose own hands weren’t exactly clean. The single struck a nerve, shooting straight to No. 1. The true lightning strike arrived soon after. In December 1973, Smith walked into Bradley’s Barn to lay down Don Wayne’s “Country Bumpkin.” Tracing an ordinary man’s journey through marriage, children, and the devastating loss of his wife, the song packed an entire lifetime into a few poignant verses and climbed to the top of the charts in 1974. The accolades poured in, sweeping Single Record and Song of the Year at the ACM Awards, alongside a CMA Song of the Year honor for the writing. Smith quickly proved he wasn’t a one-hit wonder by following up with another chart-topper, “It’s Time to Pay the Fiddler.” After more than a decade of holding down the rhythm section for everyone else, Cal Smith’s long-delayed moment in the sun finally arrived—forever stamping his voice onto one of the defining country anthems of the 1970s.