From the recording A View Askewed Too
This is a true story. Sitting with Amanda watching a rerun of an old Top of The Pops and up pops Shakin’ Stevens singing his rockabilly version of the song. We were singing along in fun and I suddenly realised that I didn’t know the words of this song, that I must have heard a thousand times. I got out the web and was staggered to read that the original lyrics are written from the perspective of a man who is dying. He doesn’t need that house no more. He even laments the effect on his dog. The sadness of the words are completely lost on the Shakey listener (or Rosemary Clooney, who had a pop hit with it in the '60's).
I immediately picked up my guitar, and in front of Amanda, yeah, she was thrilled (not!) and played the song in a minor key. It completely transforms the song into a desperately sad refection of mans life. I had to record it this way.