Don’t give up until you drink from the silver cup/
And ride that highway in the sky.

“Lonely People” is written by America: a three-man songwriting group consisting of Dan Peek, Dewey Bunnell & Gerry Beckley. Each had hits; I prefer Beckley, though this is probably America’s best song. “Lonely People” was written by Dan Peek (and his wife Cathie) who would leave ultimately leave America to do Christian music exclusively.

Like Spirit in the Sky, “Lonely People” is a religious song hidden in a rock song. (The silver cup is a symbol in Christianity.) I think of these two songs as the pioneers of modern Christian music. Even if you don’t get the Christian symbolism, a song “for the lonely people” obviously has appeal as all people have felt lonely. “Don’t give up” is a good message.

America’s “Lonely People” has many standout musical parts. The bass intro is great. The harmonica is used both as a solo and as an accompanying instrument. It sounds good. The piano solo sounds great! It sounds straight out of the 1900s burlesque. I can imagine women in huge ruffled skirts getting up on tables dancing while some guy plays an upright piano in a bar: it has that ragtime feel. The background harmonies are interesting. They sound almost dissonant, but it works.

Lonely People Lyrics

This is for all the lonely people,
Thinking that life has passed them by.
Don’t give up until you drink from the silver cup,
And ride that highway in the sky.

This is for all the single people,
Thinking that love has left them dry.
Don’t give up until you drink from the silver cup,
You never know until you try.

Well, I’m on my way.
Yes, I’m back to stay.
Well, I’m on my way back home,
“Hit it, Jerry”.

This is for all the lonely people,
Thinking that life has passed them by.
Don’t give up until you drink from the silver cup,
She’ll never take you down or never give you up.
You’ll never know until you try.

Songwriters: Dan Peek / Cathie Peek