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Poetry In Motion
Johnny Tillotson Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

When I see my baby
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

Overall Meaning

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
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@juliametrycka7022

Lyrisc ☺️

When I see my baby
What do I see ?
Poetry
Poetry in motion �

Poetry in motion
Walking 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 moment
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

Oh
A-whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa (3x)
Whoa

Poetry in motion
See her gentle sway
A wave out on the ocean
Could never move that way

I love every moment
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 he more

Oh
A-whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa (3x)
Whoa



@sauquoit13456

Exactly sixty years ago today on November 14th, 1960 "Poetry In Motion" by Johnny Tillotson peaked at #2 {for 1 week} on Billboard's Top 100 chart, for the week it was at #2, the #1 record for that week was "Georgia On My Mind" by Ray Charles...
Two months later on January 12th, 1961 "Poetry In Motion" peaked at #1 {for 2 weeks} on the United Kingdom's Official Top 50 Singles chart...
Between 1958 and 1965 the Jacksonville, Florida native had twenty-six records on the Top 100 chart; four made the Top 10, the above "Poetry In Motion", "Without You" {#7 in 1961}, "It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin'" {#3 in 1962}, and "Talk Back Trembling Lips" {#7 in 1963}...
Johnny Tillotson will celebrate his 83rd birthday in five months on April 20th, 2021...
And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the remainder of the Top 10 on November 14th, 1960:
At #3. "You Talk Too Much" by Joe Jones
#4. "I Want To Be Wanted" by Brenda Lee
#5. "Save The Last Dance For Me" by The Drifters
#6. "Stay" by Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs
#7. "Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go" by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters
#8. "Last Date" by Floyd Cramer
#9. "A Thousand Stars" by Kathy Young and The Innocents
#10. "Blue Angel" by Roy Orbison



@gaoh760625

When I see my baby
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 ......



@maxgarcia5484

When I see my baby
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



All comments from YouTube:

@yoyohighness

I had my first dance with my girlfriend on this song in 1999 at the Oxford University student ball. She became my wife in 2003 and passed away last year. My final words addressed to her as "my poetry in motion" during the funeral. She will always remind me that cute 25 yr old girl in blue dress that I asked for a dance in 1999.

@davethorstry6700

RIP God bless

@jimduffy1967

That is lovely story, lovely sentiment,may your wife RIP.

@Gjerrild2

Condolences. Lovely thoughts you've shared. Thanks. I'm sure she's dancing in Heaven and waiting to ask you once again at the dance and party that never ends

@samanthalennon4447

That was so beautiful. Thank you for sharing that❤

@kieranoconnor0

That’s beautiful, I’ve got a tear in my eye

22 More Replies...

@franklopez7997

I’m in my seventies, lived through all the great ones including Tillotson, what wonderful years!

@richardcrozier4405

Do you remember the Kalin Twins and "When"?

@oro5z

Frank, time flies doesn't it? Very first song I heard when I arrived in the USA. Have always loved it, evry time I hear it brings back so many memories from way back....

@suerichardson2067

I am 67 and love these songs..... it was the days when singers sang and had no need to scream!

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