Gibson was born in Shelby, North Carolina into a poor working-class family, he dropped out of school in the second grade.
Gibson's first band was called Sons of the Soil, with whom he made his first recording in 1948. Among his greatest hits were "Oh Lonesome Me" (later recorded by both Ray Charles and Neil Young) and "Blue Blue Day" (both No. 1 hits in 1958); "Don't Tell Me Your Troubles" (1959); "Sea of Heartbreak" (1961); "Lonesome No. 1" and "I Can Mend Your Broken Heart" (1962); and "Woman (Sensuous Woman)" (a No. 1 hit in 1972).
Gibson recorded a series of successful duets with Dottie West in the late 1960s, the most successful of which were the No. 2 country hit "Rings of Gold" (1969) and the top 10 hit "There's a Story Goin' Round" (1970). In 1957, Gibson travelled back to Nashville to record "Oh Lonesome Me" for RCA. He and producer Chet Atkins decided to abandon the traditional steel guitar and fiddle and use a new sound featuring only guitars, a piano, a drummer, upright bass, and background singers. It became one of the first examples of what would be called the Nashville Sound and won Gibson a #1 hit; it also set the pattern for a long series of other RCA hits, including “Blue Blue Day” (1958).
A talented songwriter, Gibson was nicknamed "the sad poet" because he frequently wrote songs that told of loneliness and lost love. He wrote and sang "I Can't Stop Loving You", a song that would be recorded by more than 700 artists, most notably by Ray Charles with a pop version in 1962. He also wrote and recorded "Sweet Dreams" that would become a major 1963 crossover hit for Patsy Cline. A great fan, in 1967 Roy Orbison recorded an album of his songs simply titled: Roy Orbison Sings Don Gibson.
Don Gibson was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1973 and in 2001 into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
On his passing in 2003, he was interred in the Sunset Cemetery, in his hometown of Shelby, North Carolina.
Put a Little Love in Your Heart
Don Gibson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Put a little love in your heart
You see, it's getting late, oh, please don't hesitate
Put a little love in your heart
And the world will be a better place
And the world will be a better place for you and me
You just wait and see
Another day goes by, and still the children cry
Put a little love in your heart
If you want the world to know, we won't let hatred grow
Put a little love in your heart
And the world will be a better place
And the world will be a better place for you and me
You just wait and see. Wait and see
Take a good look around and if you're lookin' down
Put a little love in your heart
I hope when you decide kindness will be your guide
Put a little love in your heart
And the world will be a better place
And the world will be a better place for you and me
You just wait and see
Put a little love in your heart
Put a little love in your heart
The lyrics to Don Gibson's song "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" serve as a call to action to listeners. Gibson urges people to think of their fellow man, lend a helping hand, and put love into their hearts. He notes that time is running out, and encourages listeners to act without hesitation. Gibson then explains how the world will be a better place if people put love in their hearts, stating that love will prevent hatred from growing. He notes that, despite the passing of time, children still cry and encourages people to put love in their hearts to address this issue. Gibson also encourages people to take a good look around and to choose kindness as their guide.
Overall, the tone of the song is one of hope and belief in the power of love to create positive change. The lyrics serve as a reminder to listeners that it is important to treat others with kindness and to approach the world with an open heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Think of your fellow man, lend him a helping hand
Consider the well-being of others and offer assistance when possible
Put a little love in your heart
Demonstrate compassion and understanding towards others
You see, it's getting late, oh, please don't hesitate
Time is running out to make a positive impact, so take action now
And the world will be a better place
Small acts of kindness and love can have a ripple effect and improve the world
And the world will be a better place for you and me
Everyone benefits when there is more love and kindness in the world
You just wait and see
Positive change may not be immediate, but it will eventually occur
Another day goes by, and still the children cry
Despite the passage of time, there is still suffering and need for compassion
If you want the world to know, we won't let hatred grow
It is important to take a stand against hate and promote love
Take a good look around and if you're lookin' down
Observe the world and its issues, even if they don't directly affect you
I hope when you decide kindness will be your guide
Choose to prioritize kindness and empathy in your actions and decisions
Put a little love in your heart
Reinforcing the importance of compassion and empathy towards others
And the world will be a better place
Once again emphasizing the positive impact that love can have on the world
And the world will be a better place for you and me
Stressing the idea that everyone benefits from a world filled with more love and kindness.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JACKIE DE SHANNON, JIMMY HOLIDAY, RANDY MYERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@wayne1king
Some songs appear to be the absolute peak of a singer's career. This may well have been Don Gibson's best song ever. I was a kid when I first heard it and it went right to my soul. Knew I was hearing a classic piece of music even at 13 years old. Still true at 72.
@juharonka3239
This is the best music probably the humankind has been able to produce. I'm a Finnish guy and I'm supposed to be as hardened steel, which I am, but I have a soft side in me, and this kind of music hits my heart. I envy the Americans who had the chance
to hear these great singers live.
@eddriver7815
This song brings a lump in my throat as I remember being in grade school room listening to the janitors radio in the boiler room by myself the first time I heard it . It was 1961 and I was 12 years old ... great music never dies .Deep in the bowels of the school in the boiler room and the radio echoing around the boiler room ... what a great memory .
@1ausskipper
Faultless recording. Faultless voice.Damn near the most perfect song ever made.
@rubbersoul4469
capt tim + I've always thought exactly the same
@jeanniebevinsfavorites1168
I love how you love me
@1940limited
One of the greatest pop tunes ever written and recorded. Great lyrics and you can understand everything he says. Whatever happened to that? I don't understand how kids get excited over today's music. I try to figure it out, but it escapes me.
@LB__1
This was the perfect song for the opening credits of Heartbreak Ridge.
@Serena3878
Gibson has the perfect voice for this song. No one sings this song like he does.
@timothyday8565
Johnny Cash once said this song was a must have in music library. High praise