The Letter
(The Boat That Rocked OST) The Box Tops Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Gimme a ticket for an aeroplane
Ain't got time to take a fast train
Lonely days are gone, I'm a-goin' home
My baby, just a wrote me a letter

I don't care how much money I gotta spend
Got to get back to my baby again
Lonely days are gone, I'm a-goin' home

My baby, just-a wrote me a letter

Well, she wrote me a letter
Said she couldn't live without me no more
Listen mister, can't you see I got to get back
To my baby once-a more
Anyway, yeah

Gimme a ticket for an aeroplane
Ain't got time to take a fast train
Lonely days are gone, I'm a-goin' home
My baby, just-a wrote me a letter

Well, she wrote me a letter
Said she couldn't live without me no more
Listen mister, can't you see I got to get back
To my baby once-a more
Anyway, yeah

Gimme a ticket for an aeroplane
Ain't got time to take a fast train

Lonely days are gone, I'm a-goin' home
My baby, just-a wrote me a letter, my baby just-a wrote me a letter

Overall Meaning

The Box Tops' song "The Letter" is a classic example of a love song that celebrates the joy of receiving a letter from someone special. The song begins with the singer asking for a ticket for an aeroplane as he has received a letter from his lover and can't wait to get back home to her. The singer can't wait for a fast train as the thought of being with his lover is too enticing.

He explains that he doesn't care how much money he has to spend because he just wants to get back to his lover as soon as possible. The lonely days are now over, and he is finally going home with the news of his lover's letter. The singer then recites the letter's content, which says that she can't live without him anymore. He expresses his urgency by asking the listener whether he can see that he has to get back to his lover once again.

The song's chorus repeats the singer's desire for an aeroplane, suggesting that he can't wait to be with his lover once again, who has written a letter that has touched his heart. He repeats the same verse, expressing his excitement and emphasizing how much he wants to see his lover.

Overall, "The Letter" is a timeless classic that celebrates the power of love that is conveyed through a simple letter. It speaks to the human experience of anticipation and the importance of communication in relationships.

Line by Line Meaning

Gimme a ticket for an aeroplane
I need a plane ticket to travel

Ain't got time to take a fast train
I don't have time to take a train, need to be fast

Lonely days are gone, I'm a-goin' home
I'm happy to be going back home

My baby, just a wrote me a letter
My girlfriend wrote me a letter, which made me want to go home

I don't care how much money I gotta spend
I don't mind spending money to go back home

Got to get back to my baby again
I really need to get back to my girlfriend

Well, she wrote me a letter
The letter my girlfriend wrote is important to me

Said she couldn't live without me no more
My girlfriend can't live without me anymore, which makes me want to go back even more

Listen mister, can't you see I got to get back
I need to go back to my girlfriend

To my baby once-a more, anyway, yeah
I need to get back to my girlfriend, no matter what

My baby, just-a wrote me a letter
The letter my girlfriend wrote is the reason I'm going back home

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: MIKLOS ROZSA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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(The Boat That Rocked OST) The Box Tops

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@TheFoolintherainn

I'm going to see them next week.. I'll be bopping like an old fool in person - live!

Although it would have been funnier to watch the keyboard player lip sync!

they're coming to Alaska!!!!!

They're still on tour - see if you can find them..! Let's support these older guys who got ripped off by the music industry years ago.. they don't make the billions they do now

And it ain't even music anymore!

Rock on!

@nataliacarolina97

8y↑573

Gimme a ticket for an aeroplane
Ain't got time to take a fast train
Lonely days are gone, I'm a-goin' home
My baby, just-a wrote me a letter
I don't care how much money I gotta spend
Got to get back to baby again
Lonely days are gone, I'm a-goin' home
My baby, just-a wrote me a letter
Well, she wrote me a letter
Said she couldn't live without me no more
Listen mister, can't you see I got to get back
To my baby once-a more
Anyway, yeah!
Gimme a ticket for an aeroplane
Ain't got time to take a fast train
Lonely days are gone, I'm a-goin' home
My baby, just-a wrote me a letter
Well, she wrote me a letter
Said she couldn't live without me no more
Listen mister, can't you see I got to get back
To my baby once-a more
Anyway, yeah!
Gimme a ticket for an aeroplane
Ain't got time to take a fast train
Lonely days are gone, I'm a-goin' home
My baby, just-a wrote me a letter
My baby, just-a wrote me a letter

All comments from YouTube:

@MikeNitro-og2xb

17w↑565

Who's listening in 2024...still an awesome track

@chbq

13w↑12

Absolutely. A great song.

@richbutler718

13w↑20

I’m listening in 2024 , I remember listening to it when I was young I’m 66 now some how !!!! Still love it

@user-bn5dt9ww4x

13w↑4

Me listen.

@refriedboogie

12w↑4

2028 still going strong

@FELIPEGARCIA-fk6zx

12w↑3

Here !!😎

48 More Replies...

@suzanneshankle3077

3y↑1.9K

He was 16 years old and what a voice! When this song first came out, I was convinced it was an older guy singing, so quite surprised when I learned years later he was only 16!!

@fremlinmartel9491

3y↑15

Hello Suzanne, How are you doing?

@marysalvi242

3y↑66

WHAT!? You mean this gal at 72 years old is just finding out that information!? Okay, guess it's true, one learns something new everyday. Just looked up wiki..cool info on there too. peace light and love... ✌🏿

@meryyomona5178

3y↑21

OMG ! I really love his voice

@Christina-tv6rm

3y↑10

I was 14💗

@gisanneali-clarke850

3y↑8

Wow!

109 More Replies...

@sakaridis

16w↑99

My mind simply cannot comprehend the fact that a sixteen year old kid can produce such a voice and give a vocal performance like this! It is simply uncanny!

Alex was really a rare breed. Unique, even.

@brains25cents

14w↑13

Agree! First I learned last month Brenda Lee was 13 when she sang Rockin Around the Christmas Tree and now this.

@nj1255

12w↑6

He was only sixteen when this was recorded?! He really had the voice of someone two or three times as old.

@Sullywoo

12w↑5

Andrew Strong was 16/17 when he was in the Commitments movie. Another powerful voice

@ronfisher5259

7w↑2

Close my eyes- this is coming out of the dashboard AM radio, windows down just gliding along

@klaasj7808

7w↑1

they used ai back then

@robertwest4330

12w↑70

I was 15. When this song came out!! AND IT Takes me back to those days Even Now Jan/2024!! That's what you call Music ! Absolutely Fantastic to hear This Again 🥳🥳 ❤ xxx

@minimal_Sonntag

11w↑2

And I was just born in ´67

@colinwhyte1526

11w↑1

Just a year younger than Alex Chiltern the lead singer on here then!

@robertwest4330

11w↑1

Thankyou I'll treasure this ...

@clive373

10w↑2

Me too! Good timing eh? And just when I thought it was all over, in 1997, I got dragged to a rave, by two young German punks! Last year I got into Bookmtown festival as an artist for free. All I had to do was wear my silver sequin frock, blue foam rubber mohican, fur coat, and basically have a laugh, like it was my duty! 😊

@mariarampp4414

7w↑2

🎉🎉🎉😊💚🎉👍

@jinx5739

2y↑863

Young people in the 60s looked so flipping cool, I can't take it. We never thought we'd get old 😞

@kevinruddy448

2y↑41

Youth is wasted on the young,,,, Chinese proverb 🍲👌

@befreiedeinengeist7715

2y↑12

Damals war sogar die Zukunft besser👍

@johneggebrecht923

2y↑23

Couldn't agree more. 60 got here a LOT quicker than I thought it would.

@deborahbecvar8834

2y↑20

We were cool. Bell bottoms, boots etc lol

@chuckhush916

2y↑13

We make being old look good!

44 More Replies...

@ZietTiger

4y↑4.3K

Who else is sitting here in the 2020 Quarantine listening to this awesome song?

@kentmere100

4y↑47

me ....what awesome vocals

@CarolynGerhart

4y↑19

@jenh6529

4y↑16

Me 🤘🏻

@soyprospera1

4y↑19

@khanysafan1705

4y↑24

Wasn't one of these guys only 16? The drummer? The singer looks pretty young.

496 More Replies...

@sandrajune1871

2y↑10

This song drove me to move from Buffalo to San Francisco in 1984. What good times.

@wilfredogonzalez6755

3w↑2

I was just a kid about 8 years old but I would listen this song from my older brother how I miss him 😢 Vietnam

@RobertPaulGass

4y↑1.5K

I like how the pianist is joking about the session being fake.

@timoflea8417

4y↑53

Yeah. Producers did that a lot in the sixties, lip synching songs for TV performances. Thinking inside the box, ya think? 😋

@jonathansteadman7935

4y↑46

Should see some of the Stranglers early appearances, swopped instruments, moved the set, guitars without strings.....

@Bobywan75

4y↑13

@@jonathansteadman7935 Found one, it's hilarious ! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Db0VB_MmeK0

@jonathansteadman7935

4y↑9

@@Bobywan75 yep, you got the one I was thinking of. 😂👍

@jonathansteadman7935

4y↑4

@@Bobywan75 there's another one that they move the stage around while they're playing, leaping up and down 👍

35 More Replies...

@GeorgeVreelandHill

7y↑2.9K

Forget the plane ticket.
Just give me a ticket to go back in time to when songs like this were around.

@terrencefirly3512

6y↑14

George Vreeland Hill Damn straight lyrics you go there,pal :v keep it up

@aprilgarcia2161

6y↑42

Get me a ticket, I'll go too.

@TheBob3759

6y↑24

Amen to that.

@samwasthebest6633

6y↑18

Songs like these play in my garage everyday.

@quidly259

6y↑6

yep

89 More Replies...

@p0lo9

1y↑87

Great song... Joined the Marine Corps in 67 and my girl wrote me 3 letters a day until one day they stopped. Found out while in Vietnam she had gotten pregnant and married to a shmuck... This song always reminds me of that period of my life. Song is excellent and still a hit in my soul....

@johnstuartsmith

19w↑6

In Vietnam, that song about it being possible to get a ticket for an airplane to get to go home and back to my "baby" in an expedited timeframe tore at my heartstrings every time I heard it. Especially the part where all I had to do was get past somebody I could address as "Mister." The Animal's "We Gotta Get Out of This Place" struck a chord, too. Thank you for our service, etc...

@jackcarlin942

11w↑5

You deserved better,brother. Semper Fi.

@daviddavies2945

11w↑2

Lucky you. You should be grateful to the shmuck.

@peteraustin370

10w↑2

In hindsight..probably the BEST thing that happened for you..and I've had a few women in my life down the years..!!..Bless You and good luck always..from Plymouth UK..!!

@wendoverlel7297

Thank you for your service. I would wish to do the same, but I am mentally and physically unable to serve in any branches of the army.

@RickRox75

2y↑588

What a song. A classic and a quality song. The Letter was sung brilliantly by the late Alex Chilton. I cannot believe that he was just 16 years old at the time, great voice. NO.5 in the UK in October 1967, No.1 in the US during September & October 1967. The Letter was America's 2nd best seller of 1967 and the UK's 53rd. A real classic by The Box Tops which has stood the test of time. It still sounds great 55 years on.

@matthewleahy4363

2y↑5

Wow uk got no taste

@redtargetball

2y↑6

@@matthewleahy4363 lol everyone likes there own taste..

@sarahleferne9641

2y↑13

@@matthewleahy4363 loads of us bought it and loved it though. So loads of us did have taste 😊

@timmyw1484

2y↑3

Well said Brother!!! 👏👏👏

@DarksideJohnny

2y↑7

The singer was only 16!? That I didn't know! The guitar player on In A Gadda Da Vida (Iron Butterfly) was 15 or 16 when they recorded that song. I think the guitar player for Santana at Woodstock was only 16. I wonder how many people under 18 made it in the 60s?

18 More Replies...

@destinyzwarich-jensen3033

3y↑653

Growing up, this was me my sister and our dads special. In june 2009, my dad was on life support. My sister and I held his hands and sung this song to him. Right before he passed

@kingofkings6905

3y↑11

I'm sorry for your loss. I hope you have wonderful memories of your dad. ☺️

@tarablake7593

3y↑13

wow tears in my old eyes reading your comment, god bless you girls, my time is close and i know i will be judged for my deeds, its all good though, they were all bad men who wanted to kill my friends, i couldnt allow that, god bless

@oksomynameisjeff4212

3y↑3

@Blake R oh sorry to hear that :(

@oksomynameisjeff4212

3y↑3

Sorry to hear your lost Jensen

@richierichrich5654

3y↑5

I'm sorry for your loss

16 More Replies...

@trace-elementz1343

3y↑996

Alex Chilton, a 16 year old with more soul than anyone's allowed!!!

@amelie.kannewitz

3y↑6

Yes!

@phillipfolis4399

3y↑13

Total example of midtown Memphis

@harryknackers7892

3y↑14

And looking quite demented.

@trace-elementz1343

3y↑26

@@harryknackers7892 Demented???? I think he’s quite lovely 🥰!!!!!!!

@jg6698

3y↑3

@@harryknackers7892 uh, no.

37 More Replies...

@ZapKite

39w↑4

Siamo nel 2023 e ascolto questa canzone 20 volte al giorno ! Che epoca gli anni ‘60 , centinaia di capolavori musicali una cosa simile non sarà più possibile !

@oldgeezerproductions

28w↑5

The year was 1968, the Vietnam War was going hot and heavy, the black B52's were flying out of Anderson, I was in the service and this was the most popular song. I think we all wanted to take an airplane home.

@bluebassett2

4y↑746

They way they mock the lip-syncing is just hilarious. Diamond in the rough.

@manichairdo6346

4y↑16

My videos are playing outa sinc so what they are doing is unwittingly in sinc. Lol.

@Pashasmom1

4y↑13

Yeah, they're thrilled to death. Back then, who knew? But to look at American Bandstand from back then, now it's blatantly obvious.

@candywarmuth2455

Right?

@lisadavenport476

3y↑1

There is a early video of the beach boys doing the same thing. They rebelling against their dad, you tell no problem. Arms crossed. You'll see when you find it

@WOODR52

3y↑3

Dick clark was a real piece of s--t. I asked him for his autograph, he said get lost kid, my mom was standing right by my side. never went back to american bandstand.

12 More Replies...

@Kajzer857

8y↑219

The vocalist looks like a grandfather of grunge in his youth. Class.

@markhunt4618

8y↑27

Alex Chilton by name only seventeen in this video, very respected by his peers,also sung about in a song by the replacements I highly recommend called "Alex Chilton"

@tigmite1

8y↑12

yep, so true Urbann! He's quite sexy.

@macandrewes

8y↑15

Ha ha totally. That's Alex Chilton. He was 16 in this vid. Hard to believe I know but true. He went on to co-found Big Star. Give em a listen. Most influential band of the 70s that no one heard of...

@aaronenriquez5122

8y↑6

Yes true the Box Top was early influence to the Alternative and Grunge movement of the 90's

@Kajzer857

8y↑3

I knew it!

14 More Replies...

@oddorvar4782

34w↑5

Beautiful golden classic

@paulissus8974

1y↑115

This is one of those great unforgettable songs from a band that a lot of people don’t know about.

@OtterSeven

14w

I’m 28, just discovered right now because a random comment on fb said to check out the keyboard man’s face while faking to play. It was funny, yes, but what a song!! Gonna add it to my playlist right now

@risahall554

3y↑632

What a voice. RIP Alex Chilton

@jadaciousb63

3y↑8

Chilton*

@Karen-dk1ec

3y↑21

Raw and sexy. He was a 'fox" as we said back in those days of fun and freedom. Alex literally rolled-out of bed from a long night of drinking the night before. His "bedroom" looks was authentic. There is something about his face and soulful brown eyes that I have fallen in love with. I hope is soul is at peace. At least he does not have to witness the Communist take over of country.

@l2string

3y↑3

Didn't he die about 11 years ago??

@Karen-dk1ec

3y↑8

@@l2string Alex did die in 2011 or 2010 from a heart attack.

@charlesaguilar1708

2y↑11

I still sing this song in memory of Alex Chilton!

23 More Replies...

@almd_mlk

3y↑508

The dude playing the organ is killing me 😂

@nadineraguz783

3y↑5

Me too 😂😂😂

@deksea

3y↑20

Look ma, no hands......

@garymckay10

Who adam Sandler lol

@zsauffi

3y↑1

March!

@miguel2740

3y↑2

is a organ, not a piano

10 More Replies...

@Cynthia-eu7yu

52w↑3

In 67 I was in high school. I'm now 70 and enjoy that song more than ever.

@kevinvm1968

36w↑4

Omg what a song reliving the 60-90s what a time to be alive

@fiutare1

3y↑9

how can two minutes be so magical

@joeromanotto8583

1y↑62

Just shy of two minutes, but one of the best pop songs ever written.

@cheponis

47w↑1

The best songs are all < 2 minutes.

@crystalpower1217

30w

Minions

@Losrandir

24w

@@cheponis Some of them extend to 3-5 minutes or so, but the song is really all <2 minutes

@gilhernandeziii4031

37w↑4

I used to play it as a 45
Nice to see in 2023 😊

@charlottewalker6854

1y↑2

Born in '72, keep learning about such great songs 😊 love this😊

@bradkennett5759

9y↑369

Heard this one over Armed Forces Radio..1968

@bradkennett5759

9y↑16

Great song, I think he was only 16 or 17 when he sang this.

@bradkennett5759

9y↑10

Yes those were the Days really young and full of, well you know. I was 19

@reno145

9y↑11

brad Kennett Thank you for your service!

@Antman15201

9y↑5

Thanks for your service

@lancesheppard4118

9y↑15

Glad your home brother

20 More Replies...

@E-MAN979

7y↑189

I wish this song was longer

@marcelazejdova5010

5y↑5

me tooo

@califdad4

5y↑2

its because in those years a song needed to be about 2 minutes to get air play

@MattsARocknRolla

4y↑5

They accomplished more in 2 minutes than bands did with 8 minutes in the 70s

@X-OR_

3y↑1

That's what she said...... Sorry, just watched the office

@Karen-dk1ec

3y↑1

The cut on their album is longer, which is on YouTube. It's nice that the song & instrumental music is longer rendering more complexity, but Alex's voice is not as husky or deep as this version.

@rockhead69

19w↑3

The year was 1989 and my baby really wrote me a letter...been together since then...this song is a timeless classic.

@jerryharcourt

47w↑4

I love this song when I was a kid and it still sounds great. I never tired hearing this classic. I am 66 now.

@Adamacaciastrainn

8y↑224

The keyboardist cracks me up, "hey look! I'm not playing!"

@jakekeys88music

8y↑17

+Daveson I know, right? It was so awesome. It was almost like he was thumbing his nose at the music industry's way of doing the miming for music videos and "live TV performances".

@jlogg8738

8y↑2

+Daveson ai 1:53! God its awesome!> I would have never noticed otherwise.

@maximilianogabriel9982

8y↑8

hes looking drunk ! hehe

@johnajda

7y↑13

Not only the keyboard player.. they all (even Alex Chilton, the lead singer, cracks a smile about it a minute or two into the song) appear to be laughing about it inside and perfunctorily "going through the motions" (while not really playing).

@kristofmagyaros2410

6y↑1

He just showed his middlefinger at 1:34 so definitely theres something going behind the scenes

1 More Replies...

@dalegypsy4309

3y↑7

Bought this album from June 1967 today ...it's 2021

@m3talentagency680

11w↑2

Born in 1968.

The best music I've ever heard comes from those years. Rock exploded in billions of different colors and sounds.

@joaobertolo575

12w↑4

Eu tinha 15 anos(1967) quando comecei a gostar dessa música, ate' hoje eu a ouco de vez em quando para matar saudades!

@DaveDerrick_UK

7y↑206

I love how the keyboard player isn't even trying to mime to the soundtrack. 😊

@blondwiththewind

6y↑18

None of them were. Bands back then were pretty much pissed off that they were required to pretend to sing "on air" for the backing track. These guys weren't happy about it....and they clearly weren't in any mood to cooperate.

@bethkelly6126

He's an asshole. At least Alex is trying.

@mikehand9698

9y↑20

The Box Tops - The Letter ( Upbeat 1967 )
Great Oldie .

@aurastone1

9y↑1

@marymagras559

9y↑6

can I have this dance for the rest of my like

@mikehand9698

9y↑1

Mary Magras You sure can my dear :)

@rayingram8961

33w↑3

Thanks i had little band in the 70s with older sister H. This number we sang together R.I.P. Miss ya Lobo

@Hayley123454

1y↑6

I was born in 1992 and I'm a big Big Star fan and showed this to my dad, who was born in 1948. He remembered this song and had a big smile on his face. He hadn't heard it in decades, and still remembered some of the lyrics.

@davidwright1828

10y↑186

Watched this video a dozen times, and never fails to put a smile on my face. A good matured middle finger to the whole farce of music marketing and TV fakery. John Evans magically playing the keyboard without touching it is the best part.

@PacificSquidBear

10y↑12

I agree - was in hysterics when the keyboardist was pulling faces

@jameshelm2561

10y↑3

I never knew this a fake music til you pointed it out. I am 13 years old, and still new to 80's music techniques. You would think if they are faking it, they would put a little effort into it. Drummer just barely taps his snare. Heard that one of these guys (Mike) also played with the Monkees.

@davidwright1828

10y↑15

james helm

What happened is a lot of these 60s shows either didn't have proper setup for live playback or were too worried about safety (someone else in this thread mentiosn the producers were worried about the band tripping over their power cords!) Imagine if you showed to play live on national TV and were told you had to lip sync? This is why they're goofing it, just as a comment on how absurd things are.

@cosmicheretic8129

9y↑10

David Wright Nail on the head! I love they keyboard player smiling as he displays his-self playing keyboard...hilarious! Now "artists" ehem lip sync and auto tune out of choice lol.

@georgemartin4963

9y↑1

You are of course are aware that the lead singer was all of 16 years old when he recorded the single.

9 More Replies...

@easternplantspecialtiesgre5905

2y↑327

One of the best recorded and mixed songs of all time. I'm 64 and can literally imagine being at the Jersey shore hearing this. A tribute to the group, Alex Chilton and how uncompressed, analog recordings can still equal and surpass the best of modern stuff. In my top 10 of most listenable songs ever recorded...I wish there were more.

@Metrowhite

2y↑1

Whats the name of the rest 9 ?

@TommyD1213

2y↑3

Analog > digital

@Musicman369

2y↑6

I remember this as a kid, cheerful song, great beat. 🎶👍🎶🎶🎶🎶😎

@kasssmith2404

2y↑6

everytime I watch these old clips..i can't believe how bad their lip syncing was...

@rttp-righttothepoint6656

2y↑3

agree to the sonic aural pleasure. It sounds different that digital

15 More Replies...

@blayze23brooks

2y↑4

My papa listened to this song before he passed away every time I play it mak s me cry

@ceilconstante640

40w↑12

So many amazing songs from 1967! I can't think of any songs these days about a guy singing about his yearning to get back to his baby.

@finlaymarron

38w↑1

love is still an insanely popular topic of today's pop music. but it's not as good as this obviously.

@glennroberts321

38w↑3

I was a Marine, in Viet Nam when I first heard this song. Did I want to go home?

@KittyGrizGriz

38w

@@glennroberts321 welcome home!✌️❤️

@johnstuartsmith

19w↑1

Whenever there are a whole lot of guys stuck halfway 'round the world fighting a bloody war, lyrics about their yearnings and hopes to be able to get back home aren't considered sappy.

@aaronfuenmayor3072

2y↑17

What a hell of a voice for a 16 year old

@blacsouljah

I thought he was 15. See the "Everlasting Love " video by Love Affair from the same period, whose lead singer I understand was 16 or 17; wasn't the young talent from that era amazing?!!!

@jameshutchison3290

Yeahhh

@djtomfinn

8y↑720

My band The Left Banke played a few gigs with The Boxtops in 1967. We became friends with Alex. He snd our lead singer Steve Martin Caro really hit it off. Alex was a truly special person, he called when he came to NYC and invited Steve to join him in the green room on the. Johnny Carson show. He was a really funny, nice and generous person. What a cool cat.

@MGlasshead

8y↑58

The Left Banke, one of the best bands ever... Thank you for your beautiful songs. For me, as great as Big Star.

@midnightrider3165

8y↑36

i remember left bank. i think their big hit was WALK AWAY RENEE. different sound than most of the other popular music of that time in the 60's. good tune.

@cocomia9251

7y↑12

amazing band !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@BorlandRIP8

7y↑23

Tom Finn
Happy 2017 from France ! Pretty Ballerina is the most beautiful song ever, thanx

@Handsworthalpha

7y↑6

Thanks for the great music Tom!

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@billyg310

39w↑2

the 60s are just a memory but they will always live on in the minds of people who lived through that amazing decade miss those days

@jeffhampton2767

1y↑4

One of the very best songs of the 1960s

@ddownbond

7y↑148

0:48 I love the cheesy fake smile on keyboardist face. It's like he was instructed to smile for the camera and a sarcastic smile is what we the viewers get.

@VirreFriberg

6y↑21

1:29 "Hey, I'm not playing!"

@thegirlinquestion

5y↑5

yes and the singer's smile after that too

@danmeme7740

5y↑1

Yeah and he was messing around taking his hands off the keyboard, pretty funny. The right after the singer smiles after watching the keyboardist on the screen. They were obviously not playing live and they didn't like it so made fun of it.

@RoseyGates

9y↑16

Always loved this song. What a gorgeous deep voice. Sad eyes and pouty lips.

@battleaxe93

8y↑3

+Rosey Gates agree - absolutely love it

@oldiesgeek5156

+Rosey Gates the sad eyes may be due to the fact that he's taken too much of something. he looks so burned out it's depressing.

@robertbro.....6076

😂😂😂😂😂😂

@robertbro.....6076

Sounds like your depressed..

@tonysajkowski3534

42w↑3

I'm still digging it in June 2023 this is real stuff that holds the test of time

@carrieb9106

1y↑11

2023 here. I love this song. Love love love 💞💖💕

@thomasmanning829

4y↑11

I was 15 living at Newport Beach California. I was a little wild. I left home and was hitching north with a couple of friends when a flatbed semi picked us up. There was not room for all of us in the cab so I rode outside behind the cab, north toward San Francisco. This song was at it's height then and I loved it!

@dalehood1846

2y↑114

Rest in Peace Alex Chilton, lead singer of the BOXTOPS.

@KittyGrizGriz

43w↑9

Grew up with this groovy tune; lead singer is sure cute…love his cheeky smile and what a great, masculine voice!
😻

@DavidMoore-co2ze

43w↑2

Uh oh meow. Someone's feeling frisky 😂

@KittyGrizGriz

43w↑2

@@DavidMoore-co2ze Can’t help myself; I ripped open a bag of catnip!!!
😹

@reneemoriconi7003

25w↑6

It's 2023 now and I still love it!

@ThompsonSmith207

17w

Hello Renee
How are you doing today?

@channelfogg6629

44w↑29

I first heard this on a juke box in a cafe in Victoria (London) at 830 in the morning. It hits me as hard now as it did then. Pure genius.

@rob1248996

40w

It's funny how a certain song can connect you to an exact place when it was playing. Same thing happens to me and it's not necessarily the first time I heard it but the planet were aligned at that moment I guess.

@tonymcdonnell3065

33w↑10

What a tune....nobody makes them like that anymore....

@gswdeclan

21w↑16

The keyboard player is a legend, guy was having the time of his life goofing on the "live performance." RIP Alex.

@viclyd

1y↑23

And here I am, 55 years after its release, loving this song. Unbelievable. 🎶

@philippeceline984

3y↑11

The Box Tops & "The Letter" from the Swinging Sixties ... leave us with such a nostalgia ...
so delicate ... so precious ... so sweet ! ... that we would like to retain ... but we can't ...

@gerardobadilla8010

Niliu.oppuujh

00

@erastuserazade9785

View album jacket of Bill Deal and the Rhondels , on Heritage label and observe that some members became Box Tops . Hits of Rhondels , I’ve Been Hurt & May I .

@48firefox

2y↑8

They don't make them like this any more, best decade of music the 60s, never be the same again, I'm 74 still be played long after I'm gone!

@aKidNamedBrady

I noticed a lot of the older generation enjoyed the late Mac Miller's last two albums. They definitely have a jazz element and are soulful, I recommend checking out his two last albums, Swimming, and Circles.

@teresaledoux2120

1y↑4

2023, Feb 16
Still listening to the BoxTops

@TheGafferBigAl

36w↑13

14 years and I’m still Loving this masterpiece of A Song, Ty Alex Chilton, We Love You, I Love You and You will be missed! Look after for him us for God! Ty, R.I.P. Mr. Chilton this is for you, same name as me Ty, to me You’re A Sir Chilton, I Love You Man.🙌🏿🔥❤️

@Rose06091

3y↑11

And what about this man .i don't care if you give this a thumbs down because we've got a million thumbs up

@samspade8612

3y↑221

A masterpiece, this song hits deep.

@yowodup6094

2y↑3

Soul deep

@abbatsol7153

I absolutely concord, this masterpiece engulfs a great era; the vibrations are electrifying, but also beautifully nostalgic!

@heidemarieneumann1965

Tatsächlich real true 😂💯💬😋

@heidemarieneumann1965

T rotzallem ein wunderbarer song♡

@alissoncamargo2002

1y↑6

Listening in 2023 and it still sounds pretty good

@79tazman

This song ROCKS even in 2024

@DustinPlatt

6y↑185

I think the lead vocalist and keyboardist were best friends when they did this. Those faces.

@Christopher95961

5y↑20

That's his younger brother singing. ✌️

@funguy4utube

4y↑3

Both cool looking ladies men kinda guys ... maybe competing for the hottest fan gals

@daisyglaze1817

4y↑4

They're not brothers, lol

@adenarrington7607

4y↑3

They were lip syncing and making fun of it

@citizen1163

4y↑66

Lead singer was 16/17yo. Amazing voice & stage presence.

@michaelkoszowski3716

4y↑4

pamla motown ....wow !!! ...he actually looked like eddie money ....

@bniddo

4y↑1

He did better in big star

@evathompson1289

@@michaelkoszowski3716 tree
6r)poo

@passingthroughtime3033

1y↑7

Who wants to go back to the 60s and 70s?

@flognaw6633

want some real doses.

@vanessaworrell7649

17w

No. I wanna be grown

@PRR3750Railfan

1y↑52

Phenomenal song. Rest in peace Alex.

@aliviahiggins5140

34w↑10

Timeless classic

@nrood3821

4y↑108

53 years later and still a great song. beats most music here in 2020

@saltysaty8686

3y↑2

I'd challenge you to show me a song in 2020 that it doesn't beat...

@robertcoker4648

2y↑1

Ain't the the truth !!!!! 👍

@Nardasolis

December 2022 Rip Alex Chilton

@troysierra5228

50w↑2

It's 2023. He would fit in just right. That curtain hair fringe is all the rave today. Plus that soulful voice.

@garyvandecar2580

1y↑29

Wow what a voice, Alex Chilton was a mere 16 years old when he sang the Letter with the Box Tops in 1967 Rest in Peace Alex you were the best.

@adriancole3165

33w

Remember it well, way back in 67/68!

@terencehennegan1439

3y↑38

How can a 12 year old be impressed by this record ?... I was that 12 year old and it’s still haunting !.... I’m now 65 !

@rabbitrabbit1243

3y↑3

That's because they had talent back then An the music was great

@hobonickel

3y↑4

Same here. I was 12 years old in 1967. I loved "The Letter" the first time I heard it and I still love it 54 years later. I always liked how they used "aeroplane" instead of "airplane".

@maryanne72856

your smarter than I was at the same age 12...I was into the monkees.... 65 coming up in july... I would not go back would miss the internet to much...hehe

@cathymooney7498

3y↑1

I was only 10 and I'm still loving it now and I'm 63

@appaloosa927

3y↑1

I was 12 5 years ago... But I love 50s and 60s rock, especially all the hard to find garage bands. I got my grandpa’s records and this was one of his 45s. It’s a little beat up but definitely a fun one to spin!

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@what_2046

2y↑57

Anyone else listen to this song as a kid and completely forget about it and then just wake up with it in your head? Yeah it's the greatest. It's like seeing a friend you haven't seen in forever. It just makes your heart sing😩💖

@spacyspacey

1y↑15

This song is timeless. It reminds me of my tween years.

@Red-wx2md

6w↑2

This song was way ahead of its time

@corineusa1454

4y↑20

Good grief, I forgot how cute that lead singer was. Great song!!

@Karen-dk1ec

I think Alex was downright sexy (not cute) with his look and voice. He was a dream for a girl in the 1960's-1970's. I was in high school in the early 1970's, and I know that he would have been very popular, or a "fox' as we used to say.

@Taaaaaay

3y↑22

2021, anyone STILL bopping like the first time hearing this? 🕺

@TheFoolintherainn

@jeansalzman2.012

1y↑5

I was 20 years old and loving life. What glorious music we had... and we knew it. Thank you for remembering those days.

@klaasj7808

proof you were 20 back then

@stinkfinga4918

1y↑25

Quite possibly the most self-aware music video to date; they know what they're doing they just don't care.

@xilrion

3y↑602

His voice sounds exactly like he looks.

@davidfelix2594

3y↑29

Like a serial killer?

@therussiandragon616

3y↑33

I think Alex Chilton was 16 or 17 when he recorded these vocals.

@AndersonTuckmantel

3y↑17

Gorgeous

@angelaalbury9985

3y↑15

Sexy

@dani-pq4vt

3y↑4

@@therussiandragon616 wow😳

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@michelleprie2854

4y↑98

WOW. This song is still a great masterpiece. The voice of Alex Chilton is unique... so wonderful, deep and smoky!!! ❤

@scott7521

3y↑6

But that wasn't his true voice if you are familiar with the Big Star records

@Karen-dk1ec

3y↑6

@@scott7521 Alex purposedly sang this song deeper because their manager wanted a more raw, sexy sound. So, it is Alex's voice and he knew how to manipulate it for he desired effect.

@kevinruddy448

2y↑2

I'd sing a sexy song for you sweetpea ☘️🎶💋😉xk

@cafewa100

27w↑2

Met the Drummer back in 1970 in Fort Jackson South Carolina while on Basic Training.
Actually got in some trouble behind this song,my girlfriend back in NYC when I called her told me she had to see me and needed to see me right away. Well I went AWOL for a week and spent the time with her. I intercepted a letter sent from the Army,read it and I returned back to Fort Jackson. Got an Article 15, was put back where I had left off. And continue my training. After training I was so lucky I wasn’t sent to Vietnam. I went to Germany instead. I was a drummer back in those days and well I had a pretty good 18 months dealing with the Army and Playing with a band we formed there.
I was stationed in Kaiserslautern at 1st Signal Battalion in a town called Vogelweh, At Kapaun Barracks.
True story. Rock on 🥁🎶

@WayneRogan-tn5vx

1y↑12

While in the army in '67 my room mate brought this record back to base after he had be on leave and we almost wore a hole in it playing it so much.. what a great song

@KrisHughes

3y↑143

Love how they're totally taking the piss about lip-synching.

@rrmauriello

3y↑1

is live tv!

@jakeornot6306

At first, I did, too. Then, I recalled what it was like to be so disappointed that a band only cared about themselves, and not squat about the viewers who longed for, at least the fantasy, that the band was really singing and playing instruments. I'm glad I was blissfully unaware.

@zamiadams4343

2y↑11

2 minutes of perfection, what a tune.

@lucasrobertson9009

35w↑2

It is sad how fast time passes

@chris.swearengin

10w

I still listen to this kind of music. This is the music that I grew up on and I love it.

@keithoneil9894

5y↑21

I've never seen a more sarcastic performance in my life, and I LOVE it!

@johnprovince5304

Check out Joplin (Janice not Scott)

@apatheticflow5712

7y↑18

R.I.P Old man miss ya pop......
You instilled great music in me and that's your legacy to me.

@RobertLane78

Is this dedicated to your dad or someone in the group.?

@marshamcgill5451

2y↑5

Still listening in 2022..past the pandemic. Didn't know the lead was only 16 years old! A classic! Timeless!!

@ervina02

1y↑21

I always loved this song from the first time I heard it! It's very catchy. What a great voice he had and only 16 amazing! Continue to RIP ALEX

@itdoesntmatter9361

24w

Shame he couldn't maintain his momentum. A total classic.

@sandwichdude1944savepalestine

21w

0:34

@fatherandson932

4y↑14

what a voice!!!!!!

@nataliacarolina97

8y↑573

@maximilianogabriel9982

8y↑6

y de donde sacaste este buen gusto musical? no deberías escuchar taylor swift justin bieber etc?

@Geovannytejada

8y↑2

Felicidades chiquilla que gusto tan esquisito tienes !

@MERCATOR313

8y↑2

+Natalia Carolina Pérez Motta Para mí en la misma época era una ida para da nang, todo esto para nada, cual marranada de guerra.

@macandrewes

8y↑1

+LostTrack01 because ppl love the words. I hope for your sake you're not as completely miserable as you seem

@Tramatik48

8y↑3

Love it

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@tammystinnett8674

1y↑3

I was once walking in a field and the place next door was playing oldies. I danced and I sang it. One of the most memorable of my life as a fan of real music.