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).
Funny How Time Slips Away
Johnny Tillotson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My, it's been a long, long time
How'm I doin'?
Well, I guess I'm doin' fine
It's been so long now
An' it seems like it was only yesterday
Ain't it funny how time slips away?
Gee, I hope he's doin' fine
I heard ya told him
That you'd love till the end of time
Well, that's the same thing that you told me
Seems like just the other day
Gee, ain't it funny how time just slips away?
I gotta go now
Guess I'll see you 'round
I don't know when, though
I never know when I'll be back in town
Now remember whatcha told me
That "in time you're gonna pay"
And it's surprisin' how time slips away
The song "Funny How Time Slips Away" by Johnny Tillotson is a wistful and poignant recollection of a former romantic relationship. The opening lines "Well, hello there, My, it's been a long, long time, How'm I doin', Well, I guess I'm doin' fine" set the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is clearly surprised and a little sad to see his old flame, but is trying to maintain a cheerful facade. He reminisces about the past, saying that it seems like only yesterday that they were together. This theme is reinforced later in the song when he says "Gee, ain't it funny how time just slips away?" The song is a meditation on the fleeting nature of time and how it can change everything in our lives.
The second verse of the song reveals that the old flame has a new love. The singer asks about him and suggests that she told him the same things she once told the singer. This shows that the singer is still carrying feelings for his old flame, and that it is difficult for him to see her with someone else. The use of the word "gee" shows that he is somewhat flustered and unsure of himself. The final verse of the song reveals that he needs to leave and doesn't know when he will be back. He cautions his old flame to remember what she told him about paying for her actions in the future, suggesting that she may have hurt him in the past. The overall impression of the song is one of sadness and nostalgia, but also of the inevitability of change and the passage of time.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, hello there
Starting a conversation with a person who has not been met for too long
My, it's been a long, long time
Acknowledgment and statement of the length of time since the last meeting
How'm I doin'?
Requesting an update on the other person's opinion of oneself
Well, I guess I'm doin' fine
Providing a satisfactory answer to the other person's question about oneself's well-being
It's been so long now
Affirming that a lot of time has passed since the last meeting
An' it seems like it was only yesterday
Expressing disbelief at the passage of time
Ain't it funny how time slips away?
Reflecting on the swiftness of time
How's your new love?
Asking about the status of the other person's romantic relationship
Gee, I hope he's doin' fine
Expressing well wishes for the other person's new romantic partner
I heard ya told him
Referencing a conversation the other person had with their new romantic partner
That you'd love till the end of time
Discussing the proclamation of everlasting love to the new partner
Well, that's the same thing that you told me
Pointing out that the other person had said the same thing about their love to oneself
Seems like just the other day
Expressing that the memory of the other person saying that is still fresh
Gee, ain't it funny how time just slips away?
Reflecting on the swiftness of time in relation to the changes in the other person's life
I gotta go now
Informing the other person of the impending departure
Guess I'll see you 'round
Expressing a vague intention to meet again sometime
I don't know when, though
Admitting uncertainty about when the next meeting will take place
I never know when I'll be back in town
Providing an explanation for the uncertainty of the next meeting
Now remember whatcha told me
Reminding the other person of the advice they gave earlier
That "in time you're gonna pay"
Quoting the advice the other person gave about the consequences of actions
And it's surprisin' how time slips away
Reflecting on the changes that can occur due to the passage of time and the consequences of previous actions
Contributed by Eli L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
SF Beast
Great version of this song with a great arrangement.
Gary Sellick
Johnny Tilotson is one the truly great that in time was overlooked.
Joey Gagliardi
What agreat singer and song! No one from this era could ever do this in this way. What has happened to the great music that used to be?
Gary De Forest
He's always sounded to me like a blander version of Bobby Vinton.
Orbie Olsson
I would love to see Johnny Tillitson perform! He's fantastic!
Cheryl Daniels
He's not just singing lyrics hes feeling the emotions. Now that's a real performer!
Аарон Перслинь
Probably my favorite cover of this song. Willie’s is great (if I recall he wrote it too), but I’m always enchanted with the strings and arrangement of Johnny’s. Both of them great performers.
Cheryl Daniels
So glad I got to see him perform. He takes you to a special place.
Daniel Tyler
I have never heard this tune before. I do not even know who this person is. But I do know that music is a wonderful thing. This is a great song.
Jim Southern
This is one of he songs that launched the career of Willie Nelson as a writer. Johnny had 12 hits in the Pop Top 40, and showed up in the Country music charts as well between 1959 to 1964.