Synopsis

Martha Davis and The Motels perform "Only the Lonely" in a stylized, shadowy setting that matches the song's themes of isolation and emotional distance. Davis remains the visual focus, delivering the song with a restrained but dramatic presence while the band performs around her. The video's moody lighting, sparse atmosphere, and theatrical presentation reinforce the feeling of romantic separation, giving the clip the polished, melancholy character associated with The Motels' early-1980s work.

Factoids & Trivia

• "Only the Lonely" was released in 1982 as the lead single from The Motels' second album, *All Four One*.

• The song became The Motels' biggest US hit, reaching No. 9 on the *Billboard* Hot 100.

• The track's success helped establish Martha Davis as one of the most recognizable female-fronted performers in the early-1980s new wave and pop-rock scene.

• The video received substantial exposure during MTV's early years, when visually distinctive new wave acts were becoming an important part of the channel's programming.

• "Only the Lonely" remains one of The Motels' signature songs and is frequently identified with the band's breakthrough period.