Eddie Holman . . . Soul Ballad King

Eddie Holman, it could be argued, is the best soul/R&B tenor ever to come out of Philadelphia in the 1960's. He has an extrordinary vocal range and a crystal clear emotive singing style. Of all his songs, the 1969 classic Hey There Lonely Girl is my favorite. OK, I am: a) a sucker for R&B love ballards, and b) an avid collector of piercing falsetto style songs. What makes this song special is the superb combination of both attributes . . . and oh, by the way, the lyrics are timeless also . . .

Hey there lonely girl
Lonely girl
Let me make your broken heart like new . . .

Hey there lonely girl
Lonely girl
Don't you know this lonely boy loves you . . .

Ever since he broke your heart
You seem so lost
Each time you pass my way

Oh how I long to take your hand
And say don't cry
I'll kiss your tears away . . .

Hey there lonely girl, my only girl
Let me make your broken heart like new

Hey there lonely girl, lonely girl
Don't you know this lonely boy love you

You think that only his two lips
Can kiss your lips
And make your heart stand still . . .

But once you're in my arms you'll see
No one can kiss your lips
The way I will . . . the way I will

The way I will . . .
Hey there lonely girl, lonely girl
Let me make your broken heart like new

Hey there lonely girl, my only girl
Don't you know this lonely boy loves you
Don't you know this lonley boy loves you . . .

You, you, hey there lonely girl, lonely, lonely girl . . .
My only girl . . . hey there . . . (fade) . . . lonely girl