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 Can
Johnny Tillotson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And my heart fell at your feet
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
Somebody else stood by your side
And he looked so satisfied
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
A picture from the past came slowly stealin'
The-en suddenly I got that old-time feelin'
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you (still in love with you)
(Today I passed you on the street)
Today I passed you on the street
(And my heart fell at your feet)
And my heart fell at your feet
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
(Somebody else stood by your side)
Somebody else stood by your side
(And he looked so satisfied)
And, ya know, he looked so satisfied
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
Oh, it hurts to know another's lips will kiss you
And hold ya just the way I used to do
Oh-oh-oh-oh heaven only knows how much I miss, how much that I miss ya
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
(Still in love with you)
These lyrics express the pain felt by an individual who cannot let go of their love for someone who is no longer in their life. The singer acknowledges that they have made a decision to live in memories of the past, accepting that they cannot stop loving the person or wanting them back. The phrase "old lonesome times" evokes a sense of longing for a time when the two were together and happy. The singer knows that it is useless to deny their feelings and accepts the reality that they must live with the pain and nostalgia of their lost love.
The lines "Those happy hours that we once knew, Though long ago still make me blue" further express the feeling of sorrow and loss that the singer experiences. The memories of their time together are still vivid and powerful, causing the singer to feel sadness despite the passage of time. The singer then questions the clichΓ© idea that time can heal a broken heart, revealing that time has not assisted them in overcoming their love for the other person.
Overall, the lyrics of this song depict the pain of a heartbroken individual who is unable to move on from a lost love. They must live with the memories and dreams of a past happy time and continue to love the person who is no longer with them.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't stop loving you so I've made up my mind
I am unable to cease my love for you, and therefore I have resolved in my decision to continue loving you.
To live in memories of old lonesome times
To dwell in recollections of past sorrowful moments.
I can't stop wanting you it's useless to say
It is futile to express verbally that I have an insatiable desire for you.
So I'll just live my life in dreams of yesterday
Henceforth, I will spend my days merely indulging in dreams of yesterday.
Those happy hours that we once knew
The joyful moments that we experienced in the past.
Though long ago still make me blue
Despite the lengthy passage of time, they still evoke sadness in me.
They say that time heals a broken heart
It is often said that time has the ability to mend a heart that has been shattered.
But time has stood still since we've been apart
However, time has not moved on since the moment we parted ways.
I can't stop loving you
I am unable to cease my love for you.
Lyrics Β© Kanjian Music, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Hank Williams, Sr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@papaldanondo
I can't stop loving you so I've made up my mind
To live in memories of old lonesome times
I can't stop wanting you it's useless to say
So I'll just live my life in dreams of yesterday .
Those happy hours that we once knew
Though long ago still make me blue
They say that time heels a broken heart
But time has stood still since we've been apart .
I can't stop loving you so I've made up my mind
To live in memories of old lonesome times
I can't stop wanting you it's useless to say
So I'll just live my life in dreams of yesterday .
I can't stop wanting you it's useless to say
So I'll just live my life in dreams of yesterday .
@justinburgos4084
Anyone else young and still appreciate timeless music like this?
@jennykelly9965
Great singer love. It
@rosiepulliam7111
Mookie Spindlehurst me
@tevans7916
yeah iβm 15 :β)
@petercarley8302
Bringsbackoldmermoryslovely
@daroldbannister7496
@Mookie Spindlehurst I too am 73. I loved slow dancing with my sweethearts.
@BenedictPepito
I'm an 19 year old, and clearly not born in your generation the 90's but I prefer this kind of music, my Father has his playlists, which includes this song, he plays it every Sunday when I was a young kid way back then. Thanks for the wonderful music, love from the Philippines
@sandy6660
Good rendition of a song that's stood the test of time. Ray would be proud. Thanks for sharing. πΆπβ€οΈ
@JLorenzo88
The Everly Brother's & Johnny Tillotson is the Best! Lovely Voice & Songs, Phil/Don & Johnny both old friends during this days.
@thlee242
Oh I miss 60s so much. Johnny Tillotson was so young & beautiful with magnificent voice. Gone are the days. Come back again.