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).
I've Got You Under My Skin
Johnny Tillotson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've got you deep in the heart of me.
So deep in my heart that you're really a part of me.
I've got you under my skin.
I'd tried so not to give in.
I said to myself, this affair never will go so well.
But why should I try to resist when, baby, I know down well
I've got you under my skin?
I'd sacrifice anything come what might
For the sake of havin' you near
In spite of a warnin' voice that comes in the night
And repeats, repeats in my ear,
Don't you know, you fool, you never can win?
Use your mentality, wake up to reality.
But each time that I do just the thought of you
Makes me stop before I begin
Cause I've got you under my skin.
I would sacrifice anything come what might
For the sake of havin' you near
In spite of the warning voice that comes in the night
And repeats, how it yells in my ear,
Don't you know, you fool, ain't no chance to win
Why not use your mentality, get up, wake up to reality?
And each time I do just the thought of you
Makes me stop just before I begin
Cause I've got you under my skin.
And I like you under my skin.
The lyrics of Johnny Tillotson's "I've Got You Under My Skin" could resonate with anyone who has been infatuated with someone, so much so that they become obsessed with the person. This song describes the inner turmoil of someone who knows that they should resist the temptation of giving themselves fully to the person they desire. The phrase "I've got you under my skin" is a metaphor for how the person is taking over the singer's emotions and thoughts.
The lyrics mention a "warning voice that comes in the night" that reminds the singer of the potential consequences of pursuing the object of their love, and yet they persist. The phrase "Use your mentality, wake up to reality" is the rational side of the person that is telling them to think logically and avoid making a rash decision that could lead to heartbreak. The singer acknowledges the futility of the situation, yet still, their passion drives them to keep on dreaming and hoping.
Overall, "I've Got You Under My Skin" is a beautiful love song that captures the agony and ecstasy of falling in love. It recognizes the struggles that people go through when they are so consumed with another person and how difficult it can be to resist the temptation to give in to their desires.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got you under my skin.
I am deeply immersed and emotionally attached to you, and you are constantly on my mind or in my thoughts.
I've got you deep in the heart of me.
You have gradually made a significant impression on my heart and have become an integral part of my life and being.
So deep in my heart that you're really a part of me.
You have become inseparable from me and I cannot imagine living or existing without you in my life.
I'd tried so not to give in.
I attempted to resist my feelings and emotions towards you, but it was difficult to hold back or suppress them.
I said to myself, this affair never will go so well.
I tried to convince myself that pursuing a relationship with you would lead to negative outcomes or consequences, but I could not help feeling drawn to you.
But why should I try to resist when, baby, I know down well I've got you under my skin?
I realized that my attachment to you was too strong to resist and that I genuinely wanted to be with you regardless of potential consequences or challenges.
I'd sacrifice anything come what might For the sake of havin' you near.
I am willing to give up everything or make any sacrifices necessary to be close to you or have you in my life.
In spite of a warning voice that comes in the night and repeats, repeats in my ear, Don't you know, you fool, you never can win?
Despite the doubts or warning thoughts that arise in my mind, I cannot ignore my feelings for you and am willing to take the risk of pursuing a relationship with you.
Use your mentality, wake up to reality.
Some part of me recognizes that pursuing a relationship with you may not be practical or logical, and advises me to think logically rather than emotionally.
But each time that I do just the thought of you makes me stop before I begin.
Even though I acknowledge the potential consequences, my love for you is too strong to ignore and makes me hesitate when considering distancing myself.
Cause I've got you under my skin.
My attachment to you is too deep and meaningful to ignore and remains a constant presence in my mind and heart.
And I like you under my skin.
Despite the potential challenges or negative outcomes, I am drawn to and enjoy having you in my life and cannot imagine being without you.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind