1) Bobby Lewis… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name, including:
1) Bobby Lewis (1925–2020) was an American rock and roll and rhythm and blues singer best known for his 1961 hit singles "Tossin' and Turnin'" and "One Track Mind".
2) Bobby Lewis was an American country music singer-songwriter.
1) Bobby Lewis (born Robert Alan Lewis in Indianapolis, Indiana, on 9 February 1925; died 28 April 2020) was an American rock and roll and rhythm and blues singer best known for his 1961 hit singles "Tossin' and Turnin'" and "One Track Mind".
Raised in an Indianapolis orphanage, Lewis learned to play the piano by age six. Adopted at age twelve, he moved to a home in Detroit, Michigan, growing up with the influences of the pioneer blues musicians until the advent of Rock and Roll. Lewis began to build a musical career in the 1950s and in 1960 appeared at the Apollo Theatre in New York City. He recorded a 45rpm single called "Tossin' And Turnin'" that went to No.1 on the Billboard charts in July of 1961. Later that year he had a second "Top Ten" song with "One Track Mind" which would be his only other major hit record.
His song "Tossin' And Turnin'" is part of the soundtrack for the 1978 film, Animal House. It would also be covered by KISS drummer Peter Criss on his 1978 solo album entitled Peter Criss (album).
2) Bobby Lewis (born in Hodgenville, Kentucky, on 9 May 1942) is an American country music singer-songwriter. Between 1963 and 1985, Lewis released ten albums and charted more than twenty-five songs on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. His biggest hit, "How Long Has It Been," peaked at #6 in 1966. Lewis released a 26 Country charted singles from 1966 to 1985.
Tossin' & Turnin'
Bobby Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I couldn't sleep a wink last night just a-thinking of you
Baby things weren't right I kept on tossin' and turnin'
Turnin' and tossin' tossin' and turnin' all night
I threw the blankets on the floor, turned my pillow upside down
Then I thought of you some more
And I kept on tossin' and turnin' turnin' and tossin'
Tossin' and turnin' all night
Pulled down the shade went to the kitchen for a bite
Pulled up the shade, turned off the light
I jumped back into bed it was the middle of the night
The clock downstairs was striking four, couldn't get you off my mind
Heard the milkman at the door but I was tossin' and turnin'
The lyrics to Bobby Lewis's song "Tossin' and Turnin'" depict a sleepless night spent tossing and turning due to thoughts of a loved one. The singer can't seem to shake thoughts of his or her significant other, leading to a restless evening. The lyrics convey the internal struggle of the singer's racing thoughts and the desperate attempts to distract themselves from their love interest.
The opening line, "Baby, baby, can't you see what you're doing to me?" sets the tone for the song, as it highlights the singer's underlying sense of helplessness in the situation. The lines "I threw the blankets on the floor, turned my pillow upside down, then I thought of you some more" further emphasize the inability to escape the thoughts and emotions that their love interest evokes.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrases "tossin' and turnin'" and "turnin' and tossin'" to emphasize the restless state of mind that the singer is in throughout the entire night. It's a catchy refrain that manages to stick in the listener's mind, much like thoughts of a loved one can become all-consuming.
Overall, "Tossin' and Turnin'" is a relatable song that captures the consuming nature of romantic feelings and the inability to escape them. It's a classic example of a pop hit that has withstood the test of time and remains a beloved song decades later.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, baby, can't you see what you're doing to me?
I am deeply affected by you and your actions towards me.
I couldn't sleep a wink last night just a-thinking of you
Your continual presence in my thoughts kept me awake all night.
Baby things weren't right I kept on tossin' and turnin'
My mind is troubled and I cannot find peace.
Turnin' and tossin' tossin' and turnin' all night
My discomfort and restlessness lasted throughout the night.
I threw the blankets on the floor, turned my pillow upside down
I resorted to drastic measures in an attempt to find comfort.
Then I thought of you some more
My thoughts continued to revolve around you.
And I kept on tossin' and turnin' turnin' and tossin'
Despite my best efforts, I couldn't alleviate my distress.
Tossin' and turnin' all night
My discomfort and restlessness was constant throughout the night.
Jumped out of bed, turned on the light
I resorted to getting out of bed and seeking a change in my environment.
Pulled down the shade went to the kitchen for a bite
I sought comfort in food, while also trying to control the level of light in the room.
Pulled up the shade, turned off the light
My response to the situation was changing constantly.
I jumped back into bed it was the middle of the night
Despite my efforts, my restlessness refused to subside.
The clock downstairs was striking four, couldn't get you off my mind
My thoughts were not going away, despite the passage of time.
Heard the milkman at the door but I was tossin' and turnin'
Even external stimuli couldn't distract me from my internal discomfort.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RITCHIE ADAMS, MALOU RENE, RICHARD A ZIEGLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@catharina7362
So recognizable ..
Fighting with my pillows and blankets all night..
Than jump out of bed for a midnight snack for a bit!!
Haha while listening to this song; is making it way lighter and also way happier!
And now i still fight with my pillow in the night! This time it has a rhythm 🥁
And a sense of joy to it!!
Thank you, for making this song and all of you who give it heart and spirit to!
Thank you for posting!!!
At least; when i shake up my pillow it has a beat!! That makes me smile!! 🤩
So thank you for whoever posted this; please keep going on!!
And now i sure I can't sleep anymore at all; because now my body asks;
Please find that heartbeat and the rhythm and soul!!
There's so many others out there; that are seeking for the warmth kindness and glow.. And by me leaving a comment like this; i hope to inspire are that!!
I you can sleep; let's make it a joyfull we can! Pure from heart and as crazy no one van stand it!!
Thank you all!!
Keep going on!!
There are truly kind and caring people out there to!! Do give up on life!!
Let's do this together!! We includes you!!
@johnallen2771
I was 11 when this song came out and they were playing it all over the radio. Of course I quickly learned all the words and loved it. This song is so tight. The bass line and the guitars and his voice and the backup singers all fit together snugly. I've been enjoying this song for the last 60 years. I see Bobby Lewis lived to 95. Good. I hope he had a great life.
@robpelick7460
100 percent. Don't forget the killer drums - which you could hear for a change. Everything's perfect.
@curbmassa
@@robpelick7460 He ROCKED on this. People forget how great the backup bands were on these records, some of the best players on the planet. Go listen to some Frankie Lyman records and it's the Basie band backing him up., real.
@gilloera8912
Me too, still boppin' to this and I'm 73
@williamwarrenconkright3973
Bobby is rockin with the Lord now. Energy cannot be destroyed but moved on to the everlasting
@williamwarrenconkright3973
Bobby is rockin with the Lord now. Energy cannot be destroyed but moved on to the everlasting
@rosewg
I was 4 when this was out. My mom was only 22 and I recall she, my aunts and us kids dancing in the living room to this
@MusicLoverPearson
R.I.P Bobby Lewis who passed away yesterday April 28th at 97 yrs old
@ecphorizer
This came out when I was in army basic training at Fort Ord. It became our platoon's marching song because our sergeant kept waking us up at 4AM for training. Ol' Sarge thought we were the best and even the lieutenant with the stone face gave us his blessing. For us, it made training a little bit easier.
@qwertvoltaire1190
I was 43 when this came out in 1961. It was a killer song