Tell Laura I Love Her
Albert West Lyrics


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Laura and Tommy were lovers
He wanted to give her everything
Flowers, presents
And most of all a wedding ring

He saw a sign for a stockcar race
A thousand dollar prize it read
He couldn’t get Laura on the phone
So to her mother Tommy said

Tell Laura I love her
Tell Laura I need her
Tell Laura I may be late
I’ve something to do that cannot wait

He drove his car to the racing grounds
He was the youngest driver there
The crowd roared as they started the race
'Round the track they drove at a deadly pace

No-one knows what happened that day
How his car overturned in flames
But as they pulled him from the twisted wreck
With his dying breath, they heard him say

Tell Laura I love her
Tell Laura I need her
Tell Laura not to cry
My love for her will never die

Now in the chapel Laura prays
For her Tommy who passed away
It was just for Laura he lived and died
Alone in the chapel she can hear him cry

Tell Laura I love her
Tell Laura I need her
Tell Laura not to cry
My love for her will never die

Tell Laura I love her
Tell Laura I need her
Tell Laura I love her
Tell Laura I need her





Tell Laura I love her

Overall Meaning

"Tell Laura I Love Her" is a heartbreaking ballad that tells the story of Tommy and Laura, two young lovers torn apart by tragedy. The song describes Tommy as a young man who wanted to give everything to Laura, including a wedding ring. However, he sees a sign for a stockcar race with a thousand-dollar prize and feels compelled to race, despite not being able to reach Laura. Tommy heads to the race and begins to compete, ultimately losing his life when his car flips and crashes in flames. As he lays dying, his last thoughts are of Laura, and he begs someone to tell her he loves her and that he will never stop loving her.


The song's narrative is incredibly relatable, as it touches on the fear that we all have of losing someone we love. It speaks to the idea that the love we have for someone does not end when we are gone, and that it might even endure beyond the final moments of our lives. The lyrics are powerful and capture the depth of feeling that people experience when they love someone so much they feel like they cannot live without them.


Line by Line Meaning

Laura and Tommy were lovers
There was a romantic relationship between Laura and Tommy.


He wanted to give her everything
Tommy desired to provide Laura with all her wants and needs.


Flowers, presents
Tommy was willing to give Laura gifts, such as flowers and other things.


And most of all a wedding ring
The item that Tommy aimed to bestow on Laura that held the most significance was an engagement ring.


He saw a sign for a stockcar race
While out, Tommy noticed an advertisement for a car race.


A thousand dollar prize it read
The advertisement promised a $1,000 reward to the winner of the car race.


He couldn’t get Laura on the phone
Tommy attempted to reach Laura by phone, but was unsuccessful.


So to her mother Tommy said
Since Tommy could not contact Laura, he spoke to her mother instead.


Tell Laura I love her
Tommy conveyed to Laura, via her mother, that he loved her.


Tell Laura I need her
Tommy expressed his requirement for Laura, also indirectly through her mother.


Tell Laura I may be late
Tommy let Laura to know through her mother that he might be late to meet her.


I've something to do that cannot wait
Tommy emphasized to Laura, via her mother, that he had an impending responsibility that he could not delay.


He drove his car to the racing grounds
Tommy rode to the car race location.


He was the youngest driver there
Tommy was the most juvenile operator among the participants.


The crowd roared as they started the race
At the commencement of the race, the crowd cheered loudly.


'Round the track they drove at a deadly pace
The competitors speedily navigated the race lane in perilous conditions.


No-one knows what happened that day
The occurrence of the events of that day still remains uncertain.


How his car overturned in flames
Tommy's car catastrophically flipped and subsequently caught on fire.


But as they pulled him from the twisted wreck
As they rescued Tommy from his damaged and deformed car,


With his dying breath, they heard him say
Tommy's last words were heard.


Tell Laura I love her
Tommy's dying words were a repetition of the message he sent to Laura through her mother.


Tell Laura I need her
Tommy wanted his love for Laura to be properly conveyed to her even after his death.


Tell Laura not to cry
Tommy was concerned about Laura's emotional wellbeing and did not want to make her grieve.


My love for her will never die
Tommy's adoration for Laura would never fade, even in death.


Now in the chapel Laura prays
Laura is in the chapel praying after Tommy's death.


For her Tommy who passed away
Laura's prayers are for Tommy, who is no more.


It was just for Laura he lived and died
Laura was the sole reason Tommy lived and died.


Alone in the chapel she can hear him cry
Laura, secluded in the chapel, can still imagine the sound of Tommy's dire sighs.


Tell Laura I love her
The song ends with the repetition of Tommy's message to convey his affection for Laura.


Tell Laura I need her
Tommy's message conveyed to Laura, even after death, that he desires her presence and relationship.


Tell Laura I love her
Tommy's message was so important that it was repeated thrice in the song's conclusion.


Tell Laura I need her
Tommy's message was so urgent that it was delivered twice in the song's concluding lines.




Contributed by Wyatt B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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