About the song
“The Wanderer,” penned by Ernie Maresca and famously performed by Dion, remains an enduring emblem of rock and roll’s golden era. Originally released on Dion’s 1961 album, “Runaround Sue,” the song swiftly captivated audiences with its catchy rhythms and poignant narrative.
At its core, “The Wanderer” chronicles the life of a traveling man who navigates through various towns and love affairs without commitment. Its blend of a 12-bar blues base in the verses and an eight-bar bridge showcases Dion’s vocal prowess and the backing harmonies of the Del-Satins, infusing the track with a distinct, rockier vibe compared to his earlier hits with the Belmonts.
The song’s journey to fame was not without its twists. Initially intended as a B-side to Dion’s single “The Majestic,” “The Wanderer” gained unexpected popularity when DJs flipped the record, preferring its upbeat, rebellious tone over the chosen A-side. This pivotal decision propelled the song up the charts, where it peaked at number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached number 10 in the United Kingdom, solidifying its place as a transatlantic hit.
Musically, “The Wanderer” features a notable lineup including renowned musicians such as Bucky Pizzarelli and Jerome Richardson, contributing to its rich instrumental texture. Dion himself reflected on the song’s deeper meaning, describing it as a reflection on aimlessness and restlessness, resonating with themes of youthful rebellion and wandering spirit.
Over the decades, “The Wanderer” has transcended its origins to become a cultural touchstone, celebrated for its genre-defying blend of rock and roll, rhythm and blues, pop, and doo-wop. Its inclusion in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2017 further underscores its enduring influence and timeless appeal.
Beyond its musical legacy, “The Wanderer” sparked controversy when featured in the promotional materials for the video game “Fallout 4,” leading to a legal dispute between Dion and the game’s producers over the use of the song in a context that Dion found morally objectionable.
In essence, “The Wanderer” not only showcases Dion’s versatility as an artist but also encapsulates the spirit of an era defined by rebellion, wanderlust, and the timeless allure of rock and roll music. Its impact continues to resonate, reaffirming its status as one of the greatest songs in the history of popular music.
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Lyrics
Oh well, I’m the type of guy who will never settle down
Where pretty girls are, well you know that I’m around
I kiss ’em and I love ’em cause to me they’re all the same
I hug ’em and I squeeze ’em they don’t even know my name
They call me the wanderer
Yeah, the wanderer
I roam around, around, around
Oh well, there’s Flo on my left and then there’s Mary on my right
And Janie is the girl well that I’ll be with tonight
And when she asks me, which one I love the best?
I tear open my shirt and I show “Rosie” on my chest
Cause I’m the wanderer
Yeah, the wanderer
I roam around, around, around
Oh well, I roam from town to town
I go through life without a care
And I’m as happy as a clown
I with my two fists of iron but I’m going nowhere
Oh yeah, I’m the type of guy that likes to roam around
I’m never in one place, I roam from town to town
And when I find myself a-fallin’ for some girl
Yeah, I hop right into that car of mine and drive around the world
Yeah I’m the wanderer
Yeah, the wanderer
I roam around, around, around
Oh yeah, I’m the type of guy that likes to roam around
I’m never in one place, I roam from town to town
And when I find myself a-fallin’ for some girl
I hop right into that car of mine and drive around the world
Yeah, cause I’m a wanderer
Yeah, a wanderer
I roam around, around, around, around, around, around
Cause I’m a wanderer
Yeah, a wanderer
I roam around, around, around, around, around, around, around
Cause I’m a wanderer
I’m, a wanderer
I roam around, around, around, around