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).
Island Of Dreams
Johnny Tillotson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trying to forget you but somehow it seems
My thoughts ever stray to our last sweet embraces
Over the sea on the Island of Dreams
High in the sky is the bird on the wing
Please carry me with you
Far far away from the mad rushing crowd
Again I would wander where memories infold me
There on the beautiful Island of Dreams
High in the sky is the bird on the wing
Please carry me with you
Far far away from the mad rushing crowd
Please carry me with you
Again I would wander where memories infold me
There on the beautiful Island of Dreams
Far far away on the Island of Dreams
The lyrics of Johnny Tillotson's song Island of Dreams appear to be about a person who is going through heartbreak and is trying to forget their past love. The singer is wandering the streets and public places, hoping to distract themselves from thinking about their past love. However, they find themselves unable to forget about their last sweet embrace with their love, and their thoughts continually stray to memories they shared.
The singer seeks solace in a distant and beautiful place, the 'Island of Dreams'. They imagine themselves soaring through the air with the bird on the wing, far away from the noise and commotion of the busy city. They long to return to the Island of Dreams, where they can be surrounded by beautiful memories and escape from their current life.
The song is a powerful representation of how music can express a range of emotions and experiences, especially those of heartbreak and longing. The lyrics convey a sense of loss and yearning, while also exploring the idea of escape and finding refuge in a dreamscape. The melody adds to the dreamy quality of the song, evoking the feeling of being swept away to another time and place.
Line by Line Meaning
I wandered the streets and the gay crowded places
I tried to distract myself in busy settings to forget about you
Trying to forget you but somehow it seems
Despite my efforts, I can’t seem to forget about you
My thoughts ever stray to our last sweet embraces
My mind keeps going back to the memories of our last embrace
Over the sea on the Island of Dreams
Daydreaming of being on a peaceful island away from the real world
High in the sky is the bird on the wing
There is a bird flying in the sky up high
Please carry me with you
I wish I could go along and escape my troubles
Far far away from the mad rushing crowd
I want to be far away from the busy, noisy people
Again I would wander where memories infold me
I would go back to the place where memories flood my mind once again
There on the beautiful Island of Dreams
That place is the serene and idyllic Island of Dreams
Far far away on the Island of Dreams
I am longing for the peace and tranquility of the Island of Dreams
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TOM SPRINGFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind