"Lonely Avenue" is actually a cover song originally written and recorded by blues pianist Ray Charles in 1956. The version you mentioned by Merl Saunders, Jerry Garcia, Tom Fogerty, John Kahn, and Bill Vitt is a live performance of the song. The lyrics of "Lonely Avenue" speak about a person who is feeling sad, lonely, and heartbroken since ending a relationship. The singer describes their room as having two windows through which no sunlight shines, symbolizing their feelings of darkness and despair. They express their sadness and longing for their former lover since the breakup. The chorus "I could die, I could die, I could die" and "I could cry, I could cry, I could cry" emphasize the intense emotions and pain the singer is experiencing. They emphasize the impact that the end of the relationship has had on their well-being. The lyrics also mention how the singer is struggling to adjust to living alone. They describe their pillow as feeling heavy and their covering as feeling cold and uninviting. These descriptions further highlight their loneliness and discomfort without their former partner. Overall, "Lonely Avenue" is a poignant song about heartbreak, loneliness, and the emotional turmoil that follows the end of a relationship. The lyrics capture the deep sadness and longing felt by the singer in a straightforward and relatable manner.
