The Hungry Years NEIL SEDAKA with lyrics

One of Sedaka's most requested songs. The lyrics tell of a young couple determined to make it to the top, but when they achieved their goal, found it was not what they expected - and wished that they could return to simpler times, the "hungry years".

[@wagbelt4050]

One of Neil's finest songs,it proves that sometimes the journey is better than the destination.

[@W7DSY]

A poignant, sad song. I am thankful to God my wife and I avoided those 'hungry years' and have made it through 47 happy years--and counting.

[@trytellingthetruth.2068]

Meeting eachother meant you both won life's lottery. Something money can't buy. Here's to many more years to come.

[@JuneLynn]

Such profound and bittersweet lyrics.... a very underrated song that I've always LOVED by Neil Sedaka....would love to go back in time again ~ 💙

[@sunryse111]

Wouldn't we all, June!

[@rogerbrookes3515]

'Bittersweet' is the word, I love this song too, it's one of those where music and lyric make a perfect fit. a unique piece of artistry and so relevant to the human condition.

[@narehanhassan]

Me too... one of my favorites. Beautiful lyrics and melody...

[@jessicasantolaja26]

Nostalgic...

[@adammark6834]

One of my dad’s favourite songs, he used to sing it at family parties and bloody well if I say so, he has dementia coming on really bad now so this song is part of a playlist just for him when he’s in my car.

[@stevebagnall1553]

All about his good friends Sonny and Cher and how success led to their marriage breakdown. Such a talented man.

[@MIK23458]

Wrong. This song was written for James and Betty Corrigan the couple who built the famous Batley Variety Club. Way back when Neil was virtually unknown James Corrigan gave him a slot in his club. Neil was actually staying with the Corrigans in their home at the time. The couple would argue and fight furiously. One evening they had a particularly fierce row and Neil acted as peacemaker. Betty told Neil the success and pressure of their club had virtually destroyed their lives. That they were so much happier when all they had were hopes and dreams and little else. Neil wrote this song during his stay. Dedicating it to the Corrigans.

[@scottb.7670]

​@@MIK23458in an interview with Gilbert Gottfried, he did say the song was about Sonny & Cher. Or you could say they inspired it.

[@SteveBagnall-gh1fu]

His autobiography says I am right.

[@dancingonhands]

Steve, thank you so much for writing this.🙏🏻 I didn’t know that about Sonny + Cher. I’ve always loved this song.🥹🩷

[@deanallen5567]

Even as a twenty something rocker in the Eighties I loved this song. So profound and very moving.

[@DavidRoss-lo7kz]

Sadaka belongs in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame already his ability to write wonderful music with co - writers or solo is everything....Sadaka had been in the music industry since the late 50's

[@sunryse111]

I heartily agree.

[@marilynschneider7691]

This song brings me to tears every time! 😢

[@patrickryan1515]

As I play this on KZbin I automatically put it on LOOP. Its message rings so true years later (moreso -- ALL THESE YEARS later). Thank you, Mr. Sedaka for so many happy and then bittersweet memories. God gave you a wonderful gift and you shared it so well (with so many). When I admire you, I admire God.

[@sunryse111]

Great comment, Patrick - truly appreciated.

[@user-uw8bc6wu3w]

Happy Birthday Neil Sedaka 85 today

[@sunryse111]

He has not posted a "mini-concert" on his channel recently. I hope he is in good health.

[@NIGELpugh14]

I never get tired of this song..Iconic.xx

[@patrickryan1515]

This and Neil's "The Immigrant" -- Two of his best from his 70's comeback. R.I.P., Neil -- You brought a lot of joy to our ears (and to our hearts).

[@DanielSmith-ee6gm]

He’s still alive

[@nicholasgoodrum1713]

What a truly beautiful song 🎶 💌

[@zethrenbeltran4071]

Neil just sang this again today on one of his mini concerts, and man, what a treasure! Never lost any of his heart and talent. That moment was the once upon a time, that moment was the lovely long ago :)

[@adrianbirkett594]

Love this guy so much!, what a voice! Straight from heaven!. Always love him, 👍

[@nicholascrowhurst646]

What an incredible man! The fabulous music of this genius will live on forever.

[@libertelibre]

Neil Sedaka is a genius !

[@sunryse111]

Absolutely! Up there with the very best.

[@kithurasmith9517]

Im still waiting for a new, talented musician like him to be discovered

[@kithurasmith9517]

One of the best ballads ever written❤

[@sunryse111]

I agree!

[@barrywelsby3286]

Haven't heard any better

[@user-pp2cw4uz4l]

My favourite song - reminds me of my marriage at only 17 years old.

[@sunryse111]

Young and full of dreams, huh, Doreen?

[@vHumboldt77]

This song always makes me shed a tear, not so much because I have experienced what the lyrics mention, but because it reminds me of the time i came to know it, so many years ago (almost half a century now), when I was a boy and life seemed a way wide avenue full of (good) possibilities....

[@sunryse111]

It is a beautiful song. Thanks for your comment.

[@sanderchand426]

ONE OF THE BEAUTIFUL SONGS EVER WRITTEN

[@sunryse111]

Agreed!

[@lj036226]

Touching and so true, for eternity ...

[@10301953ab]

This song makes me cry 😢

[@sunryse111]

The power of music, my friend.

[@waynejones205]

I tell people it's Allergies I get ;)

[@sunryse111]

@@waynejones205 🤣🤣🤣

[@10301953ab]

@@waynejones205 sorry about you allergies, what you call allergies I call feelings 🤷🏻‍♀️🥴

[@waynejones205]

@@10301953ab Oh, Quiet! I'm being Facetious here!! :D LOL

[@user-ir3qv3uv7s]

A moral in this lovely Neil Sedaka song

[@francishughes542]

Jeez, Songs dont make me cry, apart from this one, so desperate for success, & when you get it, it's an anticlimax, & not what you thought it would be, its such a sad, poignant, sensitive song.

[@mltipsandtricks8306]

IM 13 And I LOVE THIS Song

[@carolelinda6476]

This song brings me to tears every time

[@josealarcon1599]

Que hermosisima cancion... es tan actual hoy como ayer. Linda letra..

[@juliebraidwood9837]

Such a lovely and beautiful song, this was played at my mum's funeral, it was just how my mum and dad started out in their married life, brings me to tears every time I hear it and I regularly play it to remember my mum 😢

[@sunryse111]

Thank you for sharing those deeply personal memories with us, Julie.

[@lemonleaf101reactsthroughc5]

loved this song.. i first listen this songs when Mike Enriques play this at MORNING program in doble b tv in GMA. loved the lyrics..

[@villaoclarit8329]

Been looking for this song, i just don't know the title. Finally found this while randomly watching videos. Thank you very much for this

[@sunryse111]

Happy that you found it here, Villa Rosa

[@bishopaz]

Wayne Newton did a wonderful version, Neil sang harmony on it.

[@RobCLynch]

It's because the KZbin algorithm can read your mind

[@sunryse111]

@@RobCLynch 🤣🤣🤣 I'm beginning to believe you!!!!

[@graemeyetts3465]

Great lyric and a poignantly sad but beautiful melody. Classic stuff.

[@eleanorwilson2008]

Beautiful was introduced to the song recently and thought how true it’s wonderful thank you for sharing something so meaningful

[@sunryse111]

My pleasure, Eleanor.

[@vernaemery876]

Wonderful song and singer, that I’d forgotten about until I heard it recently.

[@jeanfleming9702]

I used to sing this song a lot, but after my dear husband died I couldn’t sing it without shedding a tear we both loved the song

[@sunryse111]

Thank you for sharing that with us, Jean.

[@gerardshort531]

Reminds me of the early strugglies we had when just married and starting out. Sadly over the years we drifted apart and I yearn for those hard days and times, we faced them together and each little victory was welcomed with a smile.

[@sunryse111]

Sounds like you could write a book, Gerard!

[@gerardshort531]

On the cards, it end with a massive political scandal that's still in play. I wonder how It got this way.

[@trpdor]

Wonderful simply wonderful.

[@normarosalinddavies3635]

Beautiful❤

[@sunryse111]

Neil is one of a kind!

[@rositamunez456]

I really,really love this song.thanks for sharing....

[@ma.luisaylagan-cortez7678]

I miss this song. Not usually known to club singers when requested.

[@sunryse111]

No. I think when they see Sedaka's name as composer, they think it will be lightweight music ...

[@sandiedakin1081]

Incredible x

[@sunryse111]

He is the Maestro!

[@sandiedakin1081]

​@@sunryse111I absolutely adore him

[@sanderchand426]

MASTERPIECE

[@zoranfriganovic468]

❤️💜💚💜💛❤️, koji song, paradigma za neuke, ova pisma je Putokaz za.. sve koji se busaju u prsa.. slušajte..

[@loscuentosdemaiquita3303]

Neil Sedaka male me feel like in heaven

[@carolelinda6476]

“Everything we wanted was everything we had” !

[@mgomez5606]

First time hearing Neal sing this song but I like Rita Coolidge singing it.

[@sjsartanddesign]

Things that we were after Were much better from afar How true.

[@betacircuits]

You get more when you have less.. living on just a prayer..

[@sunryse111]

So true ...

[@KingsOfSpins]

Gordon School to surname Gordon in Hawaii. Appropriately the Big Island with the live volcano....

[@SteveBagnall-gh1fu]

Written about the break up of two friends Sonny and Cher.

[@sunryse111]

Interesting. I have never heard that story before.

[@betsyross3963]

Was this song written for Sonny and Cher?

[@viralbuthow000]

Sedaka took inspiration from Betcha by Golly Wow.

[@sunryse111]

That's interesting. I know a lot of the stories behind Neil's songs, but I have never heard him tell this one. Where did you get your information?

[@Jennings9462]

Why does Sedaka never mention his co-writer Phil Cody??

[@Jennings9462]

So many wonderful song but that egomaniac never mentions Phil Cody? He’d still be struggling for a decent song without Phil Cody!

[@sunryse111]

That's an interesting point you raise,. Peter. It's true, Neil very rarely mentions Phil Cody. But as a huge Sedaka fan, I have seen dozens of interviews with him, and on the occasions that he talks about Phil, it is in the most glowing terms, and calls him "a talented poet". One thing I most certainly agree with you on: Sedaka's ego definitely prevented him from seeing that he never wrote his own lyrics comparable to those of either Cody or Greenfield. I think that, if he could have acknowledged that, he would have tried to find other lyricists and may well have enjoyed even greater chart success in those later years.

[@apathetic6309]

😭😭😭😭