In 1958, Sinatra released another album of loneliness and loss with Capitol Records, again the result of his, now finalized, divorce from Ava Gardner, compounded with the recent family deaths of his frequent collaborator, Nelson Riddle. Arguably portraying a perfect Everyman, Sinatra invites the listener to wallow in close to an hour of despondency. A song less and perhaps the effect would be broken, but after twelve sad songs in row, you can't help but empathize. It seems that even the instruments and tempo have fallen into this trap. Every so often the music presents a spark of hope. I swore at the beginning of "Angel Eyes" that this album might not be complete gloom, but it really is only a spark. Sinatra's voice overcomes the orchestra and almost seems to mock it, feigning cheer, but is quick to succumb to the real melancholy behind it. "Willow Weep for Me" is a personal favorite. The melody sounds like the willow rocking in the wind, a soothing image, despite his plea for the willow. "Goodbye" has to be the saddest song on the album. The solo opening reminds me of the haunting opening of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring and at times Sinatra's voice fades out at the end of his "goodbye" like smoke into the air. "One for My Baby" seems almost like a codetta to the album. Set at a piano bar, hear the piano accompaniment, Sinatra steps outside of himself, coming to terms with heartbreak, with the universality of this all-to-common emotion. He slides with the melody, gets kicked out of the bar as it closes and takes one more for the road. The sadness isn't gone, but its time to move on and take it somewhere else. The music fades out with a slow arpeggiated piano chord, at the low end of the piano, "well that's how it goes."
Only the Lonely was a favorite of the public and Sinatra alike. It's easy to see why, even after a single listen. One of the few great albums to really embodied those times when you need to immerse yourself in your sadness and only music understands.
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