In 1957 while still in high school, Tillotson was making records and performing on stage; as a student at the University of Florida, he had his own musical variety show on regional television. Following graduation in 1959 with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Communications, he signed with Cadence Records and moved to New York City to pursue his music career. In 1960, he recorded his first hit, a composition entitled "Poetry in Motion" (written by Anthony/Kaufman), that went to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. and #1 on the UK Singles Chart.
A "crossover" artist, several of Tillotson's songs were successful on both the country music charts and pop charts. He earned a Grammy Award nomination for another of his own compositions, "It Keeps Right On a-Hurtin," and also for the song "Heartaches by the Number," nominated for Best Vocal Performance of 1965. He also appeared in the 1963 film "Just for Fun" and sang the theme song for the 1965 Sally Field television comedy "Gidget".
In a career spanning more than 40 years, Tillotson has recorded 26 singles that made it onto Billboard's charts, and performed at venues across the United States and other places around the globe.
He was featured in the 1966 camp comedy The Fat Spy starring Jayne Mansfield, Jack E. Leonard, Phyllis Diller, Brian Donlevy and Jordan Christopher & the Wild Ones. This film was featured in the 2004 documentary The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made (#46).
Come Softly to Me
Johnny Tillotson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
dum dum, dum do dum do be do
I want, want you to know
I love, I love you so
Please hold, hold me so tight
All through all through the night..
For your kisses and your love
Please come come to me
From up from up above
I want, want you to know
I love, I love you so
I need I need you so much
Wanna feel your warm warm touch
The lyrics of Johnny Tillotson's song "Come Softly to Me" speak of a longing for love and the desire to be close to someone. The repetition of the do-be-do's and dum-dums at the beginning of the song seemingly serve as a sort of introduction or invitation for the intended listener to come closer. The verses relay a message of intense love and longing to be held tightly and feel the warmth of the person's touch. The chorus reminds the listener of the depth of love the singer feels and the necessity of having that person near.
The lyrics can be interpreted to mean different things to different listeners. Some may hear a call to a lover who is far away and desperately wanting them to come near, while others may interpret it as a plea for a partner to come closer and show affection. The overall theme, however, is one of strong emotion and the need for intimacy.
Line by Line Meaning
Do be do, dum dum, dum do dum do be do
dum dum, dum do dum do be do
The singer uses nonsensical sounds to begin the song and establish a playful mood.
I want, want you to know
The singer is stating their desire to communicate important feelings to their lover.
I love, I love you so
The singer is expressing their intense feelings of love for their partner.
Please hold, hold me so tight
All through all through the night..
The singer is asking their lover to embrace them and hold them closely throughout the night.
I've waited, waited so long
For your kisses and your love
The singer has been anticipating and longing for their lover's affection and intimacy for an extended period of time.
Please come come to me
From up from up above
The singer is metaphorically expressing their desire for their lover to come to them as if from heaven.
I need I need you so much
Wanna feel your warm warm touch
The singer is emphasizing their longing and physical desire for their lover's affectionate touch.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GARY TROXEL, BARBARA ELLIS, GRETCHEN CHRISTOPHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind