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 Rise
Johnny Tillotson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You hurt, I hurt -- I'm that much a part of you.
And when you're happy, baby, I'm happy, too,
Since I'm that much... a part of you.
I rise, I fall with each little breath you take.
You cry, I cry -- ?cause I feel the same heartache.
And when you're smiling, baby, I'm smiling, too,
Your lips are my lips,
My heart is your heart.
Never let us be further than
Just a breath apart.
I rise, I fall with each little thing you do.
You hurt, I hurt -- I'm that much a part of you.
Everything that you feel, baby, I feel it, too,
Since I'm that much a part of you,
Since I'm that much a part of you.
The song "I Rise I Fall" by Johnny Tillotson is a classic love ballad that expresses the depth of love and connection between two people. The lyrics vividly describe how the singer's emotions are intertwined with their partner's, causing them to rise and fall with each little thing that their partner does. The singer also reveals that they share the same heartache and joy as their partner, indicating that they are truly a part of each other.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea of being a part of each other as the singer states, "Your lips are my lips, my heart is your heart. Never let us be further than just a breath apart." The imagery highlights the physical and emotional connection between the two individuals, emphasizing their bond and commitment to each other. The lyrics are simple yet poignant, expressing the depth of the singer's feelings towards their loved one.
Line by Line Meaning
I rise, I fall with each little thing you do.
My emotions are tied to yours and I am affected by everything you do, good or bad.
You hurt, I hurt -- I'm that much a part of you.
I feel your pain as if it were my own because I am deeply connected to you.
And when you're happy, baby, I'm happy, too,
Your happiness brings me joy and I am elated because of your happiness.
Since I'm that much... a part of you.
Due to the nature of our connection, you being happy makes me happy too.
You cry, I cry -- ?cause I feel the same heartache.
I share in your sadness and I am moved to tears because my emotions reflect yours.
And when you're smiling, baby, I'm smiling, too,
Just as your joy brings me joy, your smile brings a smile to my face as well.
Your lips are my lips,
Our connection is so deep that we are almost one, sharing not just emotions but expressions too.
My heart is your heart.
We are so closely connected that our hearts beat as one, and our emotions are intertwined.
Never let us be further than
Our connection is so precious that we should never be apart from each other.
Just a breath apart.
We should always be close to each other, just a breath away, to maintain our emotional connection.
Everything that you feel, baby, I feel it, too,
Our connection is so strong that I am able to feel everything you feel.
Since I'm that much a part of you,
Our connection is not just a superficial one but runs deep, where I feel everything you do.
Since I'm that much a part of you.
Our connection is so profound that I almost feel like I am a part of you myself.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: PAUL HAMPTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
mags1045
I got married in 1964 and was with my husband for 47years until he passed away in 2011.We were so much a part of each other.Thanks for posting this
Terry Marcelle
Di Masso from Trinidad and Tobago says Johnny and others stirred the 1960s so well. Check his sweet rendition of Send me the Pillow as well as Rhythm of the Rain.
Clark Burdine
Fell in love with my sweetheart when this was new! 55 years later the cover of this record (with the record) is still hanging on her wall. Love her more now than then.
Rebecca Slazyk
Everything that you feel baby, I feel it too.
Tom Smith
Johnny is a very underrated singer as I'm sure you'll agree. This is one of his very best.
barrygioportmorien1
Another fantastic song by Johnny. What a voice.
Milton Moore
He had such an agreeably pleasant and irresistible way with a song.
Al Dodson
I always dedicate this song to my beautiful wife of 37 great years.........always.
barrygioportmorien1
Excellent !!!!! One of Johnny's best.
45rpmike
hands down, the most romantic song of all time. weigh the lyrics.