Bobby Vinton (born April 16, 1935) is an American pop music singer. At 16, … Read Full Bio ↴Bobby Vinton (born April 16, 1935) is an American pop music singer. At 16, Vinton formed his first band, which played clubs around the Pittsburgh area. With the money he earned, Vinton helped finance his college education at Duquesne University, where he studied music and graduated with a degree in musical composition. While at Duquesne, he became proficient on all of the instruments in the band: piano, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, drums and oboe.

After a brief spell in the US Army, Vinton was signed to Epic Records in 1960 as a bandleader: "A Young Man With a Big Band." Two albums and several singles were not successful however, and with Epic ready to pull the plug, Vinton found his first hit single literally sitting in a reject pile. The song was titled "Roses Are Red (My Love)." It spent four weeks at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Arguably, his most famous song is 1963's "Blue Velvet" that also went to No.1. 23 years later, David Lynch named his movie Blue Velvet after the song. In 1964, Vinton had two #1 hits, "There! I've Said It Again" and "Mr. Lonely", the latter now being the basis for Akon's hit "Lonely."

In the 1970s, the "Polish Prince" continued to hit the Top 40, notably with "Ev'ry Day of My Life" and "Sealed With a Kiss" in 1972. That same year, Epic Records decided to end its relationship with Vinton and ended his recording contract. Undeterred, Vinton spent $50,000 of his own money on a self-written song sung partially in Polish: "My Melody of Love." After Vinton was turned down by 7 major labels, ABC Records bought Vinton's idea, and the result was a multi-million selling single that hit #1 on the AC charts in 1974. A gold album, Melodies of Love, followed as well as a successful half-hour variety show "The Bobby Vinton Show" (which aired from 1975 to 1978). He also starred in two John Wayne movies: Big Jake and The Train Robbers.

In the course of his career, Vinton has sold over 75 million records (singles, albums, compilation inclusions, etc) and is still performing on tour and at the Bobby Vinton Blue Velvet Theatre in Branson, Missouri.

tears
Bobby Vinton Lyrics

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Tears for souvenirs
Are all you left me
Memories of a love
You never meant

I just can't believe
You could forget me
After all the happy hours

We spent together

Tears have been my only consolation
But tears can't mend a broken heart
I must confess

Let's forgive and forget
Turn our tears of regret
Once more to tears of happiness

Tears have been my only consolation
But tears can't mend a broken heart
I must confess

Let's forgive and forget
Turn our tears of regret
Once more to tears of happiness

Let's change our tears to happiness

Overall Meaning

The song "Tears" by Bobby Vinton talks about a failed relationship that left nothing but tears as a reminder. The first line of the chorus, "Tears for souvenirs," suggests that the tears shed during the relationship have become the only souvenir of the love that once existed. The second line, "Are all you left me," implies that all that remains after the end of the relationship are these tears. As the song continues, Vinton expresses his disbelief that his former lover could forget him after all the happy times they shared together. He then confesses that although tears have been his only source of consolation, they cannot mend his broken heart.

In the second verse, Vinton expresses his desire to forgive and forget, and turn "tears of regret" into "tears of happiness." He acknowledges that tears cannot mend a broken heart, but suggests that a change in attitude can bring happiness. The final chorus repeats this sentiment, urging for the tears to be changed to happiness.

The lyrics of "Tears" convey a relatable theme of heartbreak and the struggle to move on from failed relationships. The song's message of forgiveness and a change in attitude towards happiness offers a hopeful message to listeners.

Line by Line Meaning

Tears for souvenirs
The tears that he sheds have turned into a remembrance of the love he has lost.

Are all you left me
The memories of the relationship he shared with his previous lover are the only things he has left after the breakup.

Memories of a love
Here the memories signify all the moments he shared with his partner in the past.

You never meant
He realizes that the false hope he had of a happily ever after with his former lover was never meant to be - it was all for naught.

I just can't believe
He expresses his honest shock at how his partner could forget him so soon and move on without looking back.

You could forget me
He is expressing his disbelief that his partner could fall out of love so quickly and forget all the love they shared.

After all the happy hours
He highlights the good moments he shared with his partner when they were together - indicating that their love was real and valuable.

We spent together
Here he is referring to the time the two of them spent together and implying that it meant something special.

Tears have been my only consolation
Bobby is saying that his only relief after the breakup has been to cry and let his emotions out.

But tears can't mend a broken heart
Although crying and letting his feelings out give him some solace, he knows that it does not fix the pain he feels after a heartbreak.

I must confess
He is admitting that he still has feelings left for his former lover, despite the pain they have caused him.

Let's forgive and forget
He is suggesting that the two of them should move on from the pain and heartbreak together - this implies reconciliation.

Turn our tears of regret
Instead of shedding tears for the loss, he suggests turning emotions towards each other and starting anew.

Once more to tears of happiness
The relationship that once brought tears following the split, can now hopefully be joyous with the two of them together.

Let's change our tears to happiness
Bobby is now urging that the only way to move forward is to forgive and try to build a happy future for them both.

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

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