About the song
“The Wanderer” is a classic rock and roll song that showcases Dion’s remarkable talent and the evolution of his musical style. Released in December 1961 as part of Dion’s album “Runaround Sue,” this track quickly became a hit and remains a significant piece in the history of rock and roll. The song climbed to number two on the US charts in early 1962, following the success of Gene Chandler’s “Duke of Earl.” It also achieved notable positions, reaching number ten in the UK and topping the charts in Australia.
Written by Ernie Maresca and initially intended for the group Nino and the Ebb Tides, “The Wanderer” found its home with Dion after Nino and the Ebb Tides chose a different song. The song’s structure features a traditional 12-bar blues verse and an 8-bar bridge, giving it a classic and recognizable rock and roll feel. Despite its upbeat tempo and lively rhythm, Dion has described the song as having a deeper, more reflective undertone. He notes that while it may sound joyful, the lyrics depict a sense of wandering and aimlessness that mirrors a deeper sadness.
The recording of “The Wanderer” was enhanced by the Del-Satins, a doo-wop group led by Stan Ziska, who later became known as Stan Sommers. Their contribution, along with the skilled musicians Bucky Pizzarelli, Johnny Falbo, Jerome Richardson, Buddy Lucas, Milt Hinton, and Panama Francis, added a richer and more dynamic sound to the track. This version of the song marked a departure from Dion’s earlier work with the Belmonts, embracing a rockier style that helped define his solo career.
Dion has shared that “The Wanderer” represents more than just a catchy tune; it reflects the complexity of the lyrics and the experience of the wandering man who is constantly moving but never truly going anywhere. The original demo included the line “with two iron fists and a beer bottle,” but the final version replaced it with “with two iron fists but I’m going nowhere,” a change requested by the record label.
“The Wanderer” is celebrated for its fusion of rock and roll, rhythm and blues, pop, and doo-wop influences. Its enduring appeal was recognized in 2017 when Dion’s 1961 recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. This classic hit not only highlights Dion’s vocal prowess but also captures a moment in music history where rock and roll was evolving into new and exciting directions.
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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 there’s Mary on my right
And Janie is the girl with that I’ll be with tonight
And when she asks me which one I love the best
I tear open my shirt I got 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
‘Til I’m as happy as a clown
With my two fists of iron and I’m going nowhere
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 ride 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 ride around the world
Yeah ’cause I’m a wanderer yeah a wanderer
I roam around around around
Cause I’m a wanderer yeah a wanderer
I roam around around around