Born in Valdosta, Georgia, and raised in Marietta, Georgia, Royal became a local star at the Bamboo Ranch in Savannah in the 1950s and 1960s. He is best known for the 1965 US Top 10 pop hit "Down in the Boondocks", which, along with the singles "I Knew You When" (Top 20, 1965) and "Hush" (1967), were written and produced by Joe South. Another South composition, "Yo-Yo," just missed the top 40 in Canada and charted poorly in the U.S. when Royal released it in 1967, but a later remake by The Osmonds was a much greater success. His 1969 single, "Cherry Hill Park", peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. In the 1970s his recording of "Heart's Desire" gained popularity among Northern soul enthusiasts and was regularly played in Northern soul nightclubs.
During the 1980s, Royal had a successful comeback with several Top 10 country hits, including "Tell It Like It Is", "Burned Like a Rocket", and "I'll Pin a Note on Your Pillow".
Royal's career experienced a second major period during the 2000s due to regular airplay on "oldies" radio stations. His music was further exposed to younger generations through a movement known as The Beat Army, an online music forum based on Facebook which is operated by author and music producer Paul Collins. Royal continued to tour regularly, performing concerts at casinos, music festivals and clubs in Canada, the United States, Japan and throughout Europe. His set lists include a mixture of songs representing multiple genres from the 1960s to the present.
Royal played Robert Ally in the indie Western film Billy the Kid (2013), co-starring country singer Cody McCarver.
Royal died in his sleep on October 6, 2015 in Morehead City, North Carolina.
Tell It Like It Is
Billy Joe Royal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Go and find yourself a toy
Baby, my time is too expensive
And I'm not a little boy
If you are serious
Don't play with my heart, it makes me furious
But if you want me to love you
Tell it like it is
Don't be ashamed let your conscience be your guide
But I know deep down inside of me
I believe you love me, forget your foolish pride
Life is too short to have sorrow
You may be here today and gone tomorrow
You might as well get it what you want
So go on and live, baby go on and live
Tell it like it is
I'm nothin' to play with
Go and find yourself a toy
But I tell it like it is
My time is too expensive
And I'm not your little boy
But I tell it like it is
I'm nothin' to play with
Go and find yourself a toy
Tell it like it is
And I'm not your, I'm not your little boy
But I tell it like it is
The lyrics to Billy Joe Royal's song Tell It Like It Is speak of a relationship where one partner is not willing to have their heart played with. The singer is firm in his stance that he is not a toy to be played with and his time is too valuable to waste playing games. He encourages his partner to be serious if they truly want a relationship with him, warning them that playing games with his heart will only make him angry. However, if his partner is genuine and truly loves him, he is willing to love them back.
The song's lyrics also suggest that life is short and it's important to live it to the fullest by being honest and true to oneself. The singer advises his partner to be honest and not to let their pride get in the way of their feelings. Lastly, the singer reiterates his stance that he is not a toy to be played with, and that he will always tell the truth regardless of the circumstances.
Overall, this song is a reflection of the importance of honesty and the value of time, while also showcasing the reality of relationships and the need for mutual respect and honesty.
Line by Line Meaning
If you want somethin' to play with
If you are looking for something casual or meaningless
Go and find yourself a toy
Find someone else to occupy your time
Baby, my time is too expensive
I value my time and need someone who respects that
And I'm not a little boy
I'm not naive or gullible
If you are serious
If you truly have feelings for me
Don't play with my heart, it makes me furious
Don't lead me on or toy with my emotions, it angers me
But if you want me to love you
If you want a real, meaningful relationship with me
Then a baby I will, you know that I will
I will be there for you and love you wholeheartedly
Tell it like it is
Be honest and straightforward with me
Don't be ashamed let your conscience be your guide
Don't let shame or guilt prevent you from being truthful
But I know deep down inside of me
I have a strong intuition or gut feeling
I believe you love me, forget your foolish pride
I have faith that you love me and hope you can overcome any ego or stubbornness
Life is too short to have sorrow
Life is brief and should not be wasted on sadness
You may be here today and gone tomorrow
Life is unpredictable and we should cherish every moment
You might as well get it what you want
You should take chances and pursue what you desire
So go on and live, baby go on and live
Enjoy life to the fullest and don't hold back
I'm nothin' to play with
I am not someone you can toy with or take advantage of
And I'm not your little boy
I am not a naive or submissive person
But I tell it like it is
I am honest, direct, and authentic in my communication
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, ZELLS MUSIC, M. JONES PUBLISHING CO., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: George Davis, Lee Diamond
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sauquoit13456
On this day in 1989 {April 16th} "Tell It Like It Is" by Billy Joe Royal peaked at #2 {for 2 weeks} on Billboard's Hot Country Singles* chart, for the two weeks it was at #2, the #1 record for both those weeks was "The Church On Cumberland Road" by Shenandoah ...
"Tell It Like It Is" also reached #2 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart...
Between 1985 and 1992 the Morehead City, North Carolina native had fifteen records on the Hot Country Singles chart, six made the Top 10 with his two biggest hits both reaching #2, the above "Tell It Like It Is" and "Till I Can't Take It Anymore" for one week in January of 1990...
One of his fifteen charted records was a duet with Donna Fargo, "Members Only", it peaked at #23 in 1987...
Billy Joe Royal passed away at the age of 73 on October 6th, 2015...
May he R.I.P.
* And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the remainder of Billboard's Hot Country Singles Top 10 on April 16th, 1989:
At #3. "Hey Bobby" by K.T. Oslin
#4. "Young Love" by The Judds
#5. "Fair Shake" by Foster and Lloyd
#6. "Don't Toss Us Away" by Patty Loveless
#7. "You Got It" by Roy Orbison
#8. "Is It Still Over" by Randy Travis
#9. "Setting Me Up" by Highway 101
#10. "She Deserves You" by Baillie and The Boys
Sierra Leggett
I can't get enough of his voice Im only 19 & most will say "how do you of Billy Joe royal?" But It's because I was raised around his music and I love it!!!
Jon White
Ya good music
Rebecca Byrd
Still listening in 2019... love his music❤️
Hazel Howard
Really cool song 👍👍 👍 I'm not a play toy either way
Steve Whitley
RIP BJR - you were as good as it gets - thanks
Connie Breland
This song is so much in love with
Nina Pannone
Steven Whitley ldl
Betsy Ross
Amen to that!
hailey carter
This IS Grandma!,I Dont Know How To Change Things Hunny.... Just Love Me Some B.J. R.!!!
Love Ya! Karen Jo!
Steve Whitley
October 6, 2015 - age 73 - loved his music - another great part of Americana is now part of the ages!