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).
Empty Feeling
Johnny Tillotson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I don't feel as though I can go on
I can't go anywhere afraid I'll see you there
Afraid I'll fall apart and then that empty feeling will start you're in my heart
I miss the lips I used to kiss each night
I miss the arms that used to hold me tight
The mention of your name just fills my heart with pain
I never knew how lonely night could really be
Until I got this empty feeling deep inside of me
I miss the lips I used to kiss each night
I miss the arms that used to hold me tight
The mention of your name just fills my heart with pain
And so I fall apart and then that empty feeling just starts you're in my heart
I can't go anywhere afraid I'll see you there
Afraid I'll fall apart and then that empty feeling will start you're in my heart
The song "Empty Feeling" by Johnny Tillotson depicts the aftermath of a romantic relationship that has come to an end. The singer in the song is experiencing an immense sense of loss since his partner has left, and he cannot come to terms with the fact that she is no longer around. This feeling is so strong that it has left him hollow and unable to function. He is afraid to move outside and see his ex-lover, afraid that the mere sight of her will trigger an emotional response that he cannot handle.
Throughout the song, Tillotson emphasizes the physical and emotional longing that the singer feels. He misses her lips and arms, the physical act of intimacy that they used to share every night. The mere mention of her name fills his heart with pain, and he cannot help but fall apart over and over again. The song describes how the singer never realized how lonely the nights could be until she left and left him with an "empty feeling" deep inside.
Overall, the lyrics of "Empty Feeling" express the emotional toll of heartbreak and how it can leave a person feeling lost and alone. Tillotson's lyrics paint a vivid picture of what it feels like to experience the aftermath of a relationship breakup, emphasizing how it can be challenging to move on and live your life when you are still carrying your partner in your heart.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got an empty feeling since you've gone
The singer is mourning the departure of a loved one, which has created a profound sense of emptiness within them.
And I don't feel as though I can go on
The singer is struggling to come to terms with the loss and does not feel strong enough to move past it.
I can't go anywhere afraid I'll see you there
The singer is avoiding places where they might unexpectedly encounter the person they miss, as it stirs up painful emotions.
Afraid I'll fall apart and then that empty feeling will start you're in my heart
The thought of meeting the person they miss is so overwhelming that it threatens to trigger a fresh sense of emptiness and despair.
I miss the lips I used to kiss each night
The singer is longing for the physical intimacy they shared with the person who is now gone.
I miss the arms that used to hold me tight
The singer misses the comfort and safety they felt when in the embrace of the person they love.
The mention of your name just fills my heart with pain
Merely hearing the name of the person they miss is enough to cause the singer significant emotional anguish.
And so I fall apart and then that empty feeling just starts you're in my heart
The singer feels like they are unraveling and succumbing to the sense of emptiness and loneliness brought on by the absence of their loved one.
I never knew how lonely night could really be
The singer is experiencing a level of loneliness that they never thought was possible until now.
Until I got this empty feeling deep inside of me
The singer's loneliness is a direct result of the void left behind by the person they love, who is no longer there to fill it.
Contributed by Jake D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@grandmabarbs175
One of My favorites...This wonderful man was my heart throb back in the day. I've met him 4 times through the years and he has seen me through every tear and heartache of my life! God Bless you Johnny.
@gloriaandrade6092
This is one of my favorites too. Recently discovered it. I'm sure glad I did.
@pamelacampbell754
My very favorite singer in 1960!!
@bennyjazzful
WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From a mad keen 74yo Aussie fan.
@user-hm9gs2im7e
2021many people like why do i love you so for the best but for me this the best of johnny