About The Song
“Lonely Weekends” is a rockabilly-tinged country single by American singer-pianist Charlie Rich, released in January 1960 by Phillips International (catalog 3552), a subsidiary of Sun Records. Written by Rich himself, the track was his second release for the label after “Rebound” and became his breakout hit, marking the first significant national success for the Arkansas-born artist. Running 2:08, it features Rich’s warm baritone over a driving mid-tempo beat, blending Memphis rockabilly energy with early countrypolitan sophistication.
The single debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 99 in late February 1960, steadily climbing through jukebox play and regional radio support in the South and Midwest. It peaked at No. 22 during the week of April 25, 1960, spending 15 weeks on the chart total. On the Billboard Country & Western chart (as it was then called), it reached No. 26. Cash Box listed it at No. 20 on its Top 100 and No. 11 on its Country chart. In Canada, it hit No. 17 on the CHUM Chart. The B-side, “Everything I Do Is Wrong,” did not chart independently.
Recording took place in late 1959 at Sam Phillips’ studio on Madison Avenue in Memphis, produced by Bill Justis with engineering by Phillips himself. Rich played his own piano, backed by a small combo: drummer Morris “Tarp” Tarrant, bassist Billy Lee Riley (doubling on guitar), and saxophonist Martin Willis. The Jordanaires—visiting from Nashville—added smooth four-part harmonies on the chorus, giving the track an early countrypolitan sheen. Cut live to mono tape in just three takes, the final mix featured prominent echo and a raw, energetic feel typical of late-period Sun releases.
Phillips International, created to handle Sun’s non-rockabilly output, promoted “Lonely Weekends” heavily through regional distributors and jukebox operators. Initial pressings shipped over 200,000 copies within the first three months, with the distinctive red Phillips International label. The single’s success earned Rich appearances on the Big D Jamboree in Dallas and the Louisiana Hayride, helping him transition from regional club act to national recording artist.
The song’s lyrics—a man’s lament over missing his lover on weekends—were semi-autobiographical, written during Rich’s early married years when he worked long hours as a crop duster and club pianist. Structurally, it follows a verse-chorus-verse format in E major, with a brief piano break showcasing Rich’s jazz-influenced playing. The Jordanaires’ backing marked one of their earliest appearances on a Sun-affiliated record, foreshadowing the polished Nashville sound Rich would perfect in the 1970s.
“Lonely Weekends” appeared on Rich’s 1960 Phillips International album Lonely Weekends with Charlie Rich (PLP-2001), his debut LP. Reissues preserved the original mono mix on numerous compilations, including Rhino’s 1991 The Sun Years, the 2010 Bear Family box set The Ballads of Charlie Rich, and Ace Records’ 2015 collection The Complete Phillips International Singles.
Notable covers include a 1961 version by Jerry Lee Lewis (Sun 364), a 1965 take by Johnny Devlin (New Zealand), and a 1980s rendition by British rockabilly revivalist Matchbox. The original Phillips International 45 with picture sleeve is highly collectible, valued at $150–300 in near-mint condition due to its rarity and historical significance as Rich’s breakthrough hit.
The single’s crossover success demonstrated Rich’s ability to appeal to both country and pop audiences, paving the way for his subsequent releases on Groove, Smash, and ultimately Epic Records, where he achieved superstardom in the 1970s.
Video
Lyric
[Verse 1]
Well, I make it all right from Monday morning till Friday night
But oh, those lonely weekends
Since you left me, honey, I ain’t been the same
I feel so lonely, baby, I feel so blue
And I get so lonesome, honey, without you[Chorus]
Every night is Saturday night
But it ain’t no fun without you, baby
I wish I had you here with me
Every night of the week[Verse 2]
I go out with my friends and we have a time
But I just can’t forget you, baby, all the time
I get so lonesome, honey, without you
I feel so blue, baby, I don’t know what to do[Chorus]
Every night is Saturday night
But it ain’t no fun without you, baby
I wish I had you here with me
Every night of the week[Piano break]
[Verse 3]
Well, the days go by so slow
And the nights are even worse, you know
I get so lonesome, honey, without you
I feel so blue, baby, I don’t know what to do[Outro]
Every night is Saturday night
But it ain’t no fun without you, baby
I wish I had you here with me
Every night of the week
(Lonely weekends, lonely weekends)