In 1957 while still in high school, Tillotson was making records and performing on stage; as a student at the University of Florida, he had his own musical variety show on regional television. Following graduation in 1959 with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Communications, he signed with Cadence Records and moved to New York City to pursue his music career. In 1960, he recorded his first hit, a composition entitled "Poetry in Motion" (written by Anthony/Kaufman), that went to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. and #1 on the UK Singles Chart.
A "crossover" artist, several of Tillotson's songs were successful on both the country music charts and pop charts. He earned a Grammy Award nomination for another of his own compositions, "It Keeps Right On a-Hurtin," and also for the song "Heartaches by the Number," nominated for Best Vocal Performance of 1965. He also appeared in the 1963 film "Just for Fun" and sang the theme song for the 1965 Sally Field television comedy "Gidget".
In a career spanning more than 40 years, Tillotson has recorded 26 singles that made it onto Billboard's charts, and performed at venues across the United States and other places around the globe.
He was featured in the 1966 camp comedy The Fat Spy starring Jayne Mansfield, Jack E. Leonard, Phyllis Diller, Brian Donlevy and Jordan Christopher & the Wild Ones. This film was featured in the 2004 documentary The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made (#46).
Poetry In Motion
Johnny Tillotson Lyrics
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What do I see
Poetry
Poetry in motion
Poetry in motion
Walkin' by my side
Her lovely locomotion
Keeps my eyes open wide
Poetry in motion
See her gentle sway
A wave out on the ocean
Could never move that way
I love every movement
And there's nothing I would change
She doesn't need improvement
She's much too nice to rearrange
Poetry in motion
Dancing close to me
A flower of devotion
A swaying gracefully
Whoa
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
Whoa
Poetry in motion
See her gentle sway
A wave out on the ocean
Could never move that way
I love every movement
There's nothing I would change
She doesn't need improvement
She's much too nice to rearrange
Poetry in motion
All that I adore
No number-nine love potion
Could make me love her more
Whoa
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
The song "Poetry in Motion" by Johnny Tillotson is a ballad about the singer's admiration for his lover, whom he sees as a work of art in motion. The lyrics suggest that the beauty of his lover's movements is comparable to poetry, calling her "poetry in motion." The singer is captivated by her every movement, from the way she walks to the gentle sway of her body. He sees her as a flower of devotion, gracefully swaying to the beat of the music. In his eyes, she is perfect just the way she is, and he would not change a thing about her.
The lyrics of "Poetry in Motion" reveal the singer's sense of awe and wonder at the person he loves. He admires not only her physical beauty and grace but also the depth and complexity of her emotions. The love between the singer and his lover is portrayed as a work of art, with each movement and gesture like a brushstroke on a canvas. In this way, the song celebrates the transformative power of love and the way it can elevate everyday experiences into something extraordinary.
Line by Line Meaning
When I see my baby
Whenever I lay my eyes on my significant other
What do I see
What I witness is beyond explanation
Poetry
It feels like experiencing a masterful poetic work
Poetry in motion
The way she carries herself is an art in motion
Walkin' by my side
As she strolls beside me
Her lovely locomotion
The gorgeous movement of her body
Keeps my eyes open wide
It mesmerizes me and captivates my attention
See her gentle sway
Witnessing her sweet, delicate movement
A wave out on the ocean
The motion of water outside in the sea
Could never move that way
It cannot imitate her style
I love every movement
I admire every gesture
And there's nothing I would change
I accept her the way she is
She doesn't need improvement
She's already perfect as she is
She's much too nice to rearrange
Altering her beauty wouldn't be an option
Dancing close to me
As she moves and grooves in sync to me
A flower of devotion
She's a symbol of dedication and admiration
A swaying gracefully
She's moving with elegance and charm
All that I adore
Everything that I love and cherish
No number-nine love potion
A magical elixir can't recreate the kind of love I have for her
Could make me love her more
I am incapable of loving her any more deeply
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Michael Anthony, Paul Kaufman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind