The Johnny Lee Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places song was released in June 1980 as part of the soundtrack to the film Urban Cowboy, released that year. Marcy Levy was one of the female singers who provided backing vocals on the track. Lee, whose biggest hit to date had been a 1977 cover of Ricky Nelson’s “Garden Party”, had previously been one of the main nightclub acts at Gilley’s, a nightclub owned by country music superstar Mickey Gilley. Record executive Irving Azoff offered Lee the chance to record “Lookin’ For Love”, a song that 20-plus artists had rejected. The success of the Urban Cowboy movie made this a #1 hit for Johnny Lee. “Lookin’ for Love” rose to No. 1 (for a three-week stay) on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, and was a No. 5 Billboard Hot 100 Pop chart as well. The song is now recognized as a standard in country music, praised by country music fans and critics alike.
John Lee Ham (born July 3, 1946), known professionally as Johnny Lee, is an American country music singer. He racked up a total of 17 top 40 country hits in the early and mid-1980s. Lee was born in Texas City, Texas, and grew up on a dairy farm in nearby Alta Loma (now part of Santa Fe, Texas). In high school he formed a rock n’ roll band, “Johnny Lee and the Roadrunners”. After graduation Lee enlisted in the United States Navy and served a tour of duty on the USS Chicago, a guided missile cruiser. After his discharge, he played cover tunes in Texas nightclubs and bars throughout the 1960s. Lee worked 10 years with Mickey Gilley, both on tour and at Gilley’s Club in Pasadena, Texas.
The Urban Cowboy movie focused on the love-hate relationship between Buford Uan “Bud” Davis (John Travolta) and Sissy (Debra Winger). The film captured the late 1970s/early 1980s popularity of country music and created a boom in country line dancing.
The Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places Music Video
The music video for “Looking for Love” captures the essence of the Urban Cowboy era. Set in a honky-tonk bar, the visuals showcase Johnny Lee performing on stage while couples dance under neon lights. The atmosphere reflects the themes of searching and longing found in the lyrics, with glimpses of heartache and fleeting connections.
The video’s setting and style also pay homage to the Texas nightclub culture, where country music and two-stepping reigned supreme. The iconic Gilley’s Club in Pasadena, Texas, serves as a backdrop in the Urban Cowboy film, further linking the song to this cultural moment.
Watch the video performances of “Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places” and check out the written lyrics below.
Johnny Lee Looking for Love In All the Wrong Places Live Performance
Origins of the Song
“Looking for Love” was written by songwriters Wanda Mallette, Bob Morrison, and Patti Ryan. The trio captured the emotional struggle of yearning for true love while navigating life’s disappointments. When Johnny Lee recorded the song, his soulful voice and heartfelt delivery brought the lyrics to life, resonating with listeners around the world.
The song’s release coincided with the rise of the “Urban Cowboy” movement, a cultural phenomenon that blended traditional country themes with mainstream appeal. Thanks to the song’s inclusion in the Urban Cowboy film—starring John Travolta and Debra Winger—”Looking for Love” reached a vast audience beyond the usual country music fans.
Johnny Lee Looking for Love Lyrics
Well, I spent a lifetime lookin’ for you
Single bars and good time lovers were never true
Playing a fools game, hopin’ to win
And tellin’ those sweet lies and losin’ again
I was lookin’ for love in all the wrong places
Lookin’ for love in too many faces
Searchin’ their eyes
Lookin’ for traces of what I’m dreaming of
Hoping to find a friend and a lover
I’ll bless the day I discover another heart
Lookin’ for love
And I was alone then, no love in sight
And I did everything I could to get me through the night
Don’t know where it started or where it might end
I turned to a stranger just like a friend
I was lookin’ for love in all the wrong places
Lookin’ for love in too many faces
Searchin’ their eyes
Lookin’ for traces of what I’m dreaming of
Hoping to find a friend and a lover
I’ll bless the day I discover another heart
Lookin’ for love
You came knockin’ on my heart’s door
You’re everything I’ve been looking for
No more lookin’ for love in all the wrong places
Lookin’ for love in too many faces
Searchin’ their eyes
Lookin’ for traces of what I’m dreaming of
Now that I found a friend and a lover
I bless the day I discover
You, oh you, lookin’ for love
In all the wrong places
(Lookin’ for love) in too many faces
Searchin’ their eyes
Lookin’ for traces of what I’m dreaming of
Now that I found a friend and lover
I bless the day I discover
You, oh you, lookin’ for love
More than four decades after its release, “Looking for Love” remains a timeless classic. The song not only defined Johnny Lee’s career but also became a symbol of the hopes and dreams tied to love and connection. Its universal message continues to resonate, making it a favorite among country music fans and a staple on classic country radio stations.
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