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't Help It
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)
The song I Can't Help It by Johnny Tillotson is a classic example of a love ballad. The song talks about the overwhelming emotions that a person feels when they see someone they used to be in love with, even after so much time has passed. The lyrics beautifully capture the singer's yearning for their past love, who has moved on and is now with someone else. Despite this, the singer cannot help but feel the same emotions and longing for them.
The opening lines of the song convey the sudden and intense feelings that the singer experiences when they see their former love. The singer's heart falls at their feet, highlighting the depth of their emotions. The reference to "somebody else" in the second stanza creates a sense of betrayal and heartache as they see their former love with another person. The pain is further evident in the line where the singer says, "Oh, it hurts to know another's lips will kiss you and hold ya just the way I used to do."
The reference to a "picture from the past" in the third stanza is a powerful image, as it shows that the singer is still clinging onto the memory of their former love. The song's overall message is one of helplessness and despair, as the singer acknowledges that they cannot control their feelings and cannot help being in love with someone who they can never have again. The song captures the anguish of lost love and the unforgettable memories that come with it, serving as a reminder that love can be both beautiful and painful.
Line by Line Meaning
Today I passed you on the street
Encountered you by chance while walking around.
And my heart fell at your feet
Felt overwhelmed with emotion and became completely captivated by you.
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
Cannot control or resist the feelings of love I have for you.
Somebody else stood by your side
Observed another person being with you.
And, ya know, he looked so satisfied
Noticed the other person looking content with the relationship and happy to be with you.
Oh, it hurts to know another's lips will kiss you
Experienced pain and sorrow knowing that someone else will share intimate moments with you.
And hold ya just the way I used to do
Recalled how I used to hold and embrace you, and how I wish I could still do that.
Oh-oh-oh-oh heaven only knows how much I miss, how much that I miss ya
Expressed deep longing and yearning for you, recognizing that only higher powers know the extent of my pain.
A picture from the past came slowly stealin'
A memory from our shared past suddenly came to mind and slowly emerged in my thoughts.
As I brushed your arm and walked so close to you
Touched your arm accidentally while walking near you.
The-en suddenly I got that old-time feelin'
Suddenly experienced intense emotions and feelings that reminded me of our past together.
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you (still in love with you)
Repeated the central message of the song, that I cannot help having feelings of love for you despite the fact that we are not together anymore.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Hank Williams, Sr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Milton Moore
For Sharon Rodriguez:
Amen! He actually
was not a "rock and roll" singer.
I cannot recall any
of his songs containing the lyrics "rock," "roll,"
"rock me," "roll me,"
"let's rock," "let's roll," or any of that
frivolous lingo. He was a
pop singer of teen
romantic angst &
"puppy-love" songs, and
serious romantic
ballads in both the
pop and country genres. I thought his country songs
were his best work, and he most certainly should be enshrined in the COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME.
Milton Moore
But if you and all
the people like
you who love this
great music were born in the era it was created, you probably
would be deceased by now,
or too old and worn out, or lacking in funds,
inspiration, etc.,
to do the work you are doing to promulgate and preserve this great
music for the present, and future generations. You
are alive at the
right time for the
purpose for which
you were created.
redbrian3655
I have always felt that Johnny was the best of the singers of his time. He sang other people's songs even better. His voice has real resonance and quality.
Lloyd deForest
I was born in the 1940's and remember this song soo very well....God where have all the GREAT voices gone in this age of Rap-Crap?
Johnny Mac
Johnny was one of the most underrated singers of that great 1956-63 era of music. This is one of my favourite JT songs.
justess martin
Absolutely beautiful! I have chills all over me listening to this!
John Benn
What a glorious voice Johnny has. Amazing singer & very enjoyable.
Ken Hooke
Not only JT's perfect voice, but combined with this amazing musical arrangement and backing makes this version so super!!!
Carol Vevle
His voice is such a sparkling beauty. Words can kill or they can put a bounce in your step!!
bella
I have been listening to Johnny Tillotson since around the early 60s. I never get tired of him music. Great voice.
minotauroazul
I always think Johnny has the sweetest voice of male singers in Pop & country.
Gloria Pierce
He sings so romantic, very sincere, right from his heart .