Still a great song after all these years… fond memories 😊

She tried to help me understand I'll never be a star , is probably one of the most heartbreaking lyrics ever 💔

Probably one of the best songs ever written!!!

Ich liebe dieses Lied so sehr!!! ❤️❤️❤️

As an 81 year old musician who never quite made it, the lyrics in this song sums it up, you have to love it. ❤

Was ein Lied, wenn es mir nicht so gut geht höre ich es und geht mir besser. Du bist ein Star.❤

Still fantastic in 2023. What a song!

Would go back to 74 at the drop of a hat.. Great memories. everything seemed possible.

This song is a immortal classic the best Rock and Roll song that is an anthem Kevin has really nailed it. How many can relate to the lyrics. 1967 what a year for music.

possibly the greatest anthology of music ever

Unforgotten! Unforgettable! Thank you Kevin!

A classic … a timeless piece of music, with deeply philosophical lyrics. This is a wonderfully poetic storyline that could apply not only to a music career, but any of life’s pursuits. Not only that, but beautifully sung, and professionally produced … one of Australia’s very best!

Can't stop crying - I want my youth back and this is it

Im 57years old and half an hour ago I was driving home when a couple of lines of this song pop in my head I had to pull over and try to construct it in my head till I had the title so I could u tube it when I got home.This was my fathers favourite record and him playing it was the only time I heard it.It must be thirty years, The mind is a weird and wonderful thing.Nostalgia is the key.

A very underrated Aussie talent.

Such a wonderful song , covered by many musicians but Kevin Johnson, who wrote this, sings it so soulfully

Still a great Song in 2024

Love this song. Truly brilliant. Kevin is sensational.

Brilliant song that explains how hard it was to be a "star" in the music industry in the 70s, especially if you were an unknown Aussie artist, but Johnson sings it to perfection.

One of the best autobiographical songs about the tough life and struggles within the music industry. Although this became a hit for Mac Davis in the United States, it’s Kevin Johnson’s life story.

Virtually unknown, and I can never understand why. Absolutely amazing singer, songwriter, performer, star!

Lost this in 1976 when I came over from Oz and started my travels. Elated I found it selling in Ireland. Bought a cassette and played it to death - fantastic voice, and a great song. If you grew up in the 60's you can relate to the lyrics. Many thanks xx

Kevin Johnson is one of Australia's greatest singer song writers, never given the credit he deserved. There are many talented musicians around today, as well as a heap of trash artists that do not deserve the plaudits they are getting. These 3 Ausies, Kevin Johnson, Mike McClellan and Doug Ashdown were and still are, loved by millions of music lovers outside of Australia. Kevin's Rock & Roll(I gave you the best years of my life.) stayed at the top of the Dutch hit parade for close to 10 years, a feat not equeled by the Beatles, Elvis, The Stones or Abba to name a few. What a sad indictment on Australia.

Had the pleasure of working with Kevin and I played all the guitar parts on this iconic recording. We recorded this session at ATA Studios in Glebe. Engineer was Bruce Brown.

Watched Kevin perform this live in Sydney last night (21st March 2015) along with a show full of his other songs. At 72 years old he sounded tremendous. Great Australian artist.

Es gibt Lieder die begleiten Dich ein Leben lang.Dieses gehöhrt absolut dazu.

What a song! Pure Genius. Love it always.

Endlich gefunden... ich hatte diesen Song völlig vergessen, obwohl er mich als Teenager immer zum Weinen gebracht hatte...🤩😢😍 Finally found ... I had completely forgotten this song, even though it always made me cry when I just was a teenager.

fantastic song. I've loved it since I first heard it. so beautiful ...so much soul.

What a great tune. Magnificent song

I can't remember how many times I have played this song. The lyrics are incredible . I bet there are plenty of singers who can relate to this song. Another top song from Aus. I hope the Berliners appreciated it.

Ein schöner, ruhiger, aber auch irgendwie trauriger Song! Ich höre ihn immer wieder gerne!

How many people must think "He's singing about my life!"

kevin johnson, you are a star.

Ein ganz toller wertvoller Mann 💋

Always makes me cry - so touching and wonderful

Got to be my favourite ! This song just gets me!

a real storyteller.......love the dephth of his words........underrated singer

The lyrics. All true. We have all went down this road at some point in our lives. It could not have been sung any better. Just super.

One of the best songs of all time. I never tire of listening to it and it always brings tears to my eyes. What a wonderful talent! How sad that Kevin never performed in the UK. Thank you for some very iconic songs. They will last for all time😊.

This Song was played on the funeral from my grandfather. Everytime i listen to this song, i have tears in my eyes and always drink a glass of his favorite whisky. He was a good man, he left much too early. RIP Opa Bootz.

I first heard Kevin Johnson back in 1979 on the radio and enjoyed the song immensely. Until now I have not been able to find it again. Finding it on you tube was a great surprise, meaning I can listen to it whenever I want. To me he is one of the best folk music stars of my generation. Bob Whittaker

Back when real artists had to give blood, sweat and tears for the music they shared

Ein sehr schönes Lied, höre es immer wieder gerne

I discovered Kevin Johnson in around 1975 through "Bonnie please don't go" I bought the album and now his songs are in my i-pod. I don't care if he never was a 'star' for he is to those of us who appreciate him a real star

Was für ein genialer Song

Best song ever to come out of Australia.

A few years ago was voted one of the best songs of all time by the music industry stars & songwritters

This song was also rewritten about football 🏈 player's I love both versions but second version brings a tear because my late father was in the a player then coach then man of league your song Mr Johnson is classic love and respect cheers stevo 🦘🦘🦘🦘

most people over 50 will be able to relate to this song. No matter what religion, race, sex or where they live. Life is like this. simple as that.

World Class Single from Kevin Ich Love the Single Big CountryFan❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

I haven't heard this in years, I love this song so much, one of the saddest, most beautiful songs about music ever written. Wonderful

Just wonderful why wasn't this guy a global superstar? I know, heartfelt lyrics, great voice, great playing, integrity. Thank you for posting -love this to bits!!

I’m sitting out under the patio with my old man, having a beer. I grab the iPad and we take turns of picking songs on KZfaq.I’m 42 he’s 75, this reminds me of the long car trip from Melbourne to Canberra as a kid when we used to go visit family,in the old blue fairlane. Good memories.

I remember when this song was played endlessly on the radio and then it would come on very rarely in the 80s and it was a big thing to hear it. Everyone in the car would sing it. Now, nothing. Young Aussies probably don't know this song. It is unfortunate that our music history just fades.

Brilliant song ❤

One of my all time favourite songs ❤️🎶played it non stop on the jukebox in the 70s, Reminds of such carefree times. All friends together in The welcome Inn..) Kevin was The Biggest Star ⭐

This is one of the great songs! Should have made him a superstar

Ich liebe diese Musik,einfach träumen

In 65 I was 16 and in a band now I am 72 still play guitar and sing never made it I feel this song is about me and my life hey hehe good news is I had a life

A real, hard-earned story that makes a song that still enters my consciousness every now and then nearly forty years after first hearing it.

One of the very best Aussie artists of all time.

question ?,how can some people not like this song,it`s one of the best songs of the 70`s.

Mister Kevin Johnson, You gave the world this beautiful song. The world is grateful to You. I'm happy when I listen to her. I wake up in the morning and listen to it, and then I get a huge boost of energy for the whole day.

It doesn't get much better than this.

What an incredibly insightful song that I heard for the first time today. While this song was created 28 years before I was born, the story Kevin tells through it is just as relevant now to me as it surely was to many in his generation.

Never realised this was Australian. He has a great voice.

Magnifique composition ❤

Beautiful. So much meaning and such a great voice, where has all the good music gone? Love Kevin Johnon. Like so many talented artists he didn't get the recognition he deserved. Why? So sad.

Great song, lyrics and voice, amazing guitar playing, song was stuck in my head for ages

I can still remember when I bought my first guitar Remember just how good the feeling was, put it proudly in my car And my family listened fifty times to my two song repertoire And I told my mum her only son was gonna be a star Bought all the Beatles records, sounded just like Paul Bought all the old Chuck Berry’s, 78’s and all And I sat by my record player, playin’ every note they played And I watched them all on TV, makin' every move they made Rock and roll, I gave you all the best years of my life All the dreamy sunny Sundays, all the moon-lit summer nights I was so busy in the back room writin’ love songs to you While you were changin’ your direction and you never even knew That I was always, just one step behind you '66 seemed like the year I was really goin’ somewhere We were living in San Francisco, with flowers in our hair Singing songs of kindness so the world would understand That the guys and me were something more than just another band And then ’69 in LA, came around so soon We were really making headway and writing lots of tunes And we must have played the wildest stuff we had ever played The way the crowds cried out for us, we thought we had it made Rock and roll, I gave you all the best years of my life All the crazy lazy young days, all the magic moon-lit nights I was so busy on the road singin’ love songs to you While you were changin’ your direction, and you never even knew That I was always, just one step behind you ’71 in Soho, when I saw Suzanne I was trying to go it solo, with someone else’s band And she came up to me later and I took her by the hand And I told her all my troubles and she seemed to understand And she followed me through London, through a hundred hotel rooms Through a hundred record companies who didn’t like my tunes And she followed me when, finally, I sold my old guitar And she tried to help me understand, I’d never be a star Rock and roll, I gave you all the best years of my life All the dreamy sunny Sundays, all the moon-lit summer nights And though I never knew the magic of makin’ it with you I thank the Lord for giving me the little bit I knew And I will always be one step behind you Rock and roll, I gave you all the best years of my life Singing out my love songs in the brightly flashing lights And though I never knew the magic of makin’ it with you I thank the Lord for giving me the little bit I knew Rock and roll, I gave you all the best years of my life All the dreamy sunny Sundays, all the moon-lit summer nights I was so busy in the back room writin’ love songs to you While you were changin’ your direction, and you never even knew That I was always, just one step behind you

This song always makes me think of my dad :') Never fails to put a smile on my face. It's such a beautiful classic!!

What a song!! It sure brigs back a lot of sunny and happy memories!!!

I too relate to this song that I have always loved, but for the love of rock & roll I will never sell my old guitar. It will go to the grave with me! and now at the age of 60 I will never be a star don't want to be. Thanks for the memory Aussie Mate.

Yes, great song and fantastic singer.

Kevin and my brother John were mates and i remember Kevin with his guitar at Johns 21st in Rockhampton Queensland Australia. 1964.

This song always gives me a lump in my throat , especially in the last verse where he realises he'd never be a star 🌟 Wow , what a great piece of music n lyrics , just love ❤ it ...

One of the all timers. Superb song. Timeless.

What a wonderful Countrysong,Thank you Kevin.

So smooth, beautiful voice, cheers me just to hear this lovely song, thank you for posting 🌷🌷

A classic anthem to all rock-stars waiting for 'that break' . Great song, and for me stands the test of time .

The song reflects the era of romance and lyrics. Who can express their feelings so beautifully now? This was the elite, the best part of the stratum of society, the flower of the nation. I very like this song.

Love this song, beautifully sung, thank you.

Good songs never die, they just lose the listeners one at a time.

Remember this when it hit the radio I sort of thought that it was a life story Kevin should have gone to greater heights with his talent

Awesome song. My parents played this and K.J's other big hit 'Bonnie Please Don't Go' on the Cassette Player over and over on every road trip we ever done. Great childhood Memories.

I will always be one step behind you..A lovely song, very well written and sung... 😍

I sincerely wish that Kevin Johnson be inducted( or awarded a prize) in to rock and roll hall of fame. Also in country music. This is one of the best musics ever.

Great song ,great artist,loved this forever,such a undervalued artist.one of the best of all times.

Terrific song. Not much recognition for a great artist with a beautiful voice.

one of the best australian songs ever written, every guy or girl who has been in a band, the lyrics are so bloody special.

Absolute top song by top bloke , just like yesterday when this first came out in 74 No one ever groes old when they have the appreciation for such good music as this

One of my most favourite songs of all time....such beautiful lyrics and the tune and guitar work is sublime :)

Kevin you gave us all one of the best songs in this Aussie boy's life!

The warmest most comforting and yet saddest voice you'll ever hear..And many of his songs have so much wisdom in them.

I always loved this song...When it came out first it was played by a special D. J.in Ireland over and over..It was a big hit in Ireland..Such a great song and a beautiful production.

Amazing song amazing singer!

Great voice. An awesome Australian song which I had all by forgotten. Should be still played on radio

Brilliant Song! His Voice AMAZING! Very Unique.

Über 40 Jahre ist es her, dass dieser Super-Hit von Kevin Johnson geschaffen wurde - Unvergessen und immer wieder eine Perle der Musikwelt - Dieser Hit überdauert weitere 40 Jahre - dann werde ich aber nicht mehr auf dieser Welt sein. Darum habe ich mir die LP gekauft und kann diesen Ohrwurm von vorn bis hinten herunterdudeln ... Super !