Amarillo

Tony Christie, Arja Koriseva

About Amarillo

"(Is This The Way To) Amarillo" is a song written by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield. It is about a man traveling to Amarillo, Texas, to find his girlfriend Marie. The song was originally to be titled "Is This the Way to Pensacola" referring to Pensacola, Florida, but Sedaka felt that Amarillo worked better than Pensacola. Written by two Americans with a strong country-western lyrical theme, the song was first released in Europe, where it has become much more popular than in the composers' native country, with a big-band/orchestral pop arrangement sung by Tony Christie. Christie's version was a major hit in Europe and a modest success in his native United Kingdom upon its release, then became even more popular in the mid-2000s when the song was reissued. As Christie's version failed to make a major impact in the U. S., Sedaka released his own recording of the song in 1977, which narrowly missed the top 40 but was an easy listening hit in the U. S. and Canada. 


Year:
1993
121 
#1

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Sha la la la la la la la
Sha la la la la la la la
Sha la la la la la la la

When the day is dawnin'
On a Texas Sunday mornin'
How I long to be there
With Marie who's waitin' for me there
Ev'ry lonely city where I hang my hat
Ain't as half as pretty as where my baby's at

Is this the way to Amarillo?
Ev'ry night I've been huggin' my pillow
Dreamin' dreams of Amarillo
And sweet Marie who waits for me
Show me the way to Amarillo
I've been weepin' like a willow
Cryin' over Amarillo
And sweet Marie who waits for me

Sha la la la la la la la
Sha la la la la la la la
Sha la la la la la la la
And Marie who waits for me

There's a church bell ringin'
Hear the sound of joy that it's singin'
For the sweet Maria
And the guy who's comin' to see her
Just beyond the highway
there's an open plain
And it keeps me goin'
Through the wind and rain

Is this the way to Amarillo?
Ev'ry night I've been huggin' my pillow
Dreamin' dreams of Amarillo
And sweet Marie who waits for me
Show me the way to Amarillo
I've been weepin' like a willow
Cryin' over Amarillo
And sweet Marie who waits for me

Sha la la la la la la la
Sha la la la la la la la
Sha la la la la la la la
And Marie who waits for me

Sha la la la la la la la
Sha la la la la la la la
Sha la la la la la la la
And Marie who waits for me

Sha la la la la la la la
Sha la la la la la la la
Sha la la la la la la la
And Marie who waits for me

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Tony Christie

Tony Christie (born Anthony Fitzgerald, 25 April 1943) is an English musician, singer and actor. He is best known for his track, "Is This The Way To Amarillo", a double UK chart success. more »

1 fan

Written by: HOWARD GREENFIELD, NEIL SEDAKA

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Historical Overview
"Amarillo" was first recorded by Neil Sedaka in 1971. However, it did not reach significant recognition in the US, where Sedaka was born.
Song Authorship
Neil Sedaka was not the song's sole composer. "Amarillo" was co-written by Neil Sedaka and lyricist Howard Greenfield, marking one of their last collaborations.
Tony Christie’s Version
British singer Tony Christie released his cover version only a few months after Sedaka, in the same year, 1971. His version became more successful, hitting the UK Top 20.
High Acclaim
The song "Amarillo" has been hailed as "the perfect pop song", showcasing Sedaka's knack for catchy melodies and Greenfield's skill at crafting memorable lyrics.
Success in Different Regions
Tony Christie's cover of "Amarillo" was a hit in many countries but did not achieve notable success in the US.
Remake Success
Peter Kay's 2005 comic re-release of "Amarillo" by Tony Christie reached No. 1 in the UK, effectively revitalizing the song and its popularity.
Use in Fundraising
The 2005 comic re-release of "Amarillo" was used in a Comic Relief campaign, helping raise funds for charitable causes.
Cultural Impact
Sedaka's song has been covered by numerous artists globally over the decades, a testament to its universal appeal.
Chart Position
When Tony Christie’s version was re-released in 2005, it remained at the UK number one spot for seven weeks.
Lyrical Interpretation
The lyrics depict a man traveling to Amarillo, Texas, to find his sweet Marie who waits for him.

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