"Lonely Boy" is an international hit song from 1977, written and recorded by Andrew Gold in 1976 for his album What's Wrong with This Picture? It spent 5 months on the American charts, peaking at number 7 in both Canada and the United States,Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - the latter for 3 consecutive weeks on June 11, 18 and 25, 1977,Andrew Gold, Billboard Hot 100 – Billboard.com. Retrieved July 5, 2023.Billboard Hot 100, Week of June 25, 1977 – Billboard.com. Retrieved July 5, 2023. and number 11 in the United Kingdom. While "Lonely Boy" was Gold's biggest hit in the US, his "Never Let Her Slip Away" achieved greater success in the UK.

Overview The song follows the life of a child who feels neglected by his parents after the birth of a younger sister. Many assume this song to be autobiographical, yet Gold denied the implication, despite great similarities between the lyrics and his life. Regarding the verses' first lines: "He was born on a summer day in 1951" matches Gold's August 2, 1951 birthday, "In the summer of '53 his mother/Brought him a sister" matches his sister Martha's July 22, 1953 birthday, and "He left home on a winter day, 1969" may match the formation of Bryndle, of which Andrew was a member, in 1969.

The second verse of the song features backing vocals provided by Linda Ronstadt. Gold had previously worked with Ronstadt as a producer and backing musician.

The song is owned and managed by the estate of Andrew Gold and administered by Kobalt Music.

Personnel Andrew Gold – vocals, piano, cowbell, handclapsAndrew Gold- What's Wrong with This Picture? vinyl album liner notes. Accessed 12-16-2011. Waddy Wachtel – lead guitar Dan Dugmore – rhythm guitar Kenny Edwards – bass guitar Brock Walsh – electric piano, ARP String Ensemble Mike Botts – drums, percussion, sleigh bells Linda Ronstadt – backing vocals Peter Asher – handclapsAndrew Gold- What's Wrong with This Picture? LP @Discogs.com (fails to list Andrew Gold as having played piano and cowbell on the track, but he is listed as such on the album credits) Retrieved 6-11-2011.

Chart performance

Weekly charts Chart (1977)PeakpositionAustralia KMR32Canada RPM Top Singles 7Canada RPM Adult Contemporary25New Zealand40UK Singles Chart 11U.S. Billboard Hot 1007U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary38U.S. Cash Box Top 1003

Year-end charts Chart (1977)RankCanada78U.S. Billboard Hot 10050U.S. Cash Box34

Uses in media and cover versions The song was the final video to be played on the MTV cable channel's first day of broadcast in the United States, on August 1, 1981, and was featured in a number of films, including Boogie Nights (1997), The Waterboy (1998), and The Nice Guys (2016). The song's use in Boogie Nights was designated as one of "The 30 Greatest Rock & Roll Movie Moments" by Rolling Stone magazine.Sheffield, Rob "The 30 Greatest Rock & Roll Movie Moments," Rolling Stone, February 21, 2013

In February 2000 Foo Fighters recorded a cover of the song to be used as a B-side for an upcoming single off their 1999 album There Is Nothing Left to Lose; however, it was not used as a B-side as planned. On Marc Maron's January 17, 2013, WTF podcast, Foo Fighters leader Dave Grohl said that the band's cover of "Lonely Boy" would eventually be released as the A-side of a special "Solid Gold" 45 rpm single with a Foo Fighters version of Gold's "Never Let Her Slip Away" as the B-side.

In TV series, the song appeared in "The Pool", from This Is Us, first broadcast on October 18, 2016,"The Pool", This Is Us, S1-E4, Tunefind and "Into the Black," from Animal Kingdom, first broadcast on July 2, 2019."Into the Black",Animal Kingdom, S4-E6 Tunefind

References