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).
Jimmy's Girl
Johnny Tillotson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wish that I were holdin' Jimmy's girl
I'm in love with Jimmy's girl
Though I've never met her
Still I can't forget her
Jimmy's girl
Jimmy's always telling me
Wish that I were holdin'
Jimmy's girl
He says her lips are warm
Each time they kiss good night
And just as sweet as any lips can be-ee
And then I close my eyes
And though it's make-believe
I pretend she's in love with me-ee
How I long for Jimmy's girl
But her love is taken
So my heart is breakin'
For Jimmy's girl (Jimmy's girl)
When I close my eyes
Although it's make-believe
I pretend she's in love with me-ee
I'm in love with Jimmy's girl
But her love is taken
So my heart is breakin'
For Jimmy's girl, Jimmy's girl
How my heart is breakin'
For Jimmy's girl (Jimmy's girl)
The song "Jimmy's Girl" by Johnny Tillotson is a classic example of unrequited love. Throughout the song, the singer expresses his desire for a girl that belongs to someone else. He yearns to be with her and wishes that he could hold her like Jimmy does. Despite never meeting her, he is smitten with her, and he can't get her out of his head. The lyrics depict the sadness and longing that come with being in love with someone that is unattainable.
The singer describes the attributes of Jimmy's girl, highlighting her golden hair and warm lips. These details only deepen his fascination with her, and he imagines what it would be like to kiss her. The singer feels a sense of jealousy towards Jimmy, who has something that he desires so deeply. He creates scenarios in his mind where Jimmy's girl chooses him over Jimmy, even though he knows it is just make-believe. The song ends on a heartbreaking note as the singer acknowledges that he can never have Jimmy's girl, and his heart is left to break.
Overall, the song is an emotional journey that many people can relate to, as it captures the pain of unrequited love, jealousy, and heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
Jimmy's girl, Jimmy's girl
Repeatedly expresses the name of the girl I love
Wish that I were holdin' Jimmy's girl
Longs to be holding Jimmy's girl as he thinks she is attractive, like Jimmy says
I'm in love with Jimmy's girl
Shares the feeling of being in love with Jimmy's girl
Though I've never met her
Has never met Jimmy's girl in person
Still I can't forget her
Even though I have never met her, I cannot stop thinking about her
Jimmy's always telling me
Jimmy talks regularly about his girl to me
That her hair is golden
Describes the physical appearance of Jimmy's girl
He says her lips are warm
Jimmy shared a detail about his girl's physical appearance and feeling
Each time they kiss good night
Describes the moment when Jimmy kisses his girl good night and how it feels
And just as sweet as any lips can be-ee
Describes the girl's lips as the sweetest they can be
And then I close my eyes
The singer imagines the girl's appearance in his mind
And though it's make-believe
Although it is imaginary, I like the idea that Jimmy's girl is in love with me
How I long for Jimmy's girl
Expresses the strong desire to have Jimmy's girl
But her love is taken
The girl is already in a committed relationship
So my heart is breakin'
Feeling heartbroken because he cannot have the girl he loves
For Jimmy's girl (Jimmy's girl)
Reiterates the name of the girl he loves
When I close my eyes
The singer continues to imagine Jimmy's girl in his mind
Although it's make-believe
Even though it is not real
I pretend she's in love with me-ee
The singer envisions the girl being in love with him
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: LEE POCKRISS, PAUL VANCE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@miltonmoore8369
HE NO DOUBT POSSESSED THE SWEETEST, HEART-MELTING VOICE OF ANY OF THE TEEN POP RECORDING ARTISTS. THIS SONG PARTICULARLY GIVES ME CHILLS.
IT WAS THE FIRST SONG I RECALL HEARING OF HIS, OVER THE RADIO.
@thomasroever1354
1961 was number 7 on the charts. One of my personal favorites by Johnny.
@john111257
25 on billboard, 24 cashbox
@claudiodean6363
I love this song !!
@biancabagnolet5948
c'est toujours aussi magnifique merci đź‘Ť
@itchycoopark2
Love this song thanks for posting..
@erikvilla__
Still here in 2020 at 21 years old
@jamescarollo
This was the 1st 45rpm I ever bought
@thetigerstripes
I was 15 and I lived in Chicago......I copied his hair. The hair is gone - I kept the memories.
@NI000NoIdentity
Absolute Perfection has every song recorded from the fifties through 1975 when the music died. Try this list for more memories "1961 Top 40 from 40 to 11" or any year but Jimmy's Girl is on this one. "Rare Records" priced into thousands for a 45 has songs you've never heard, or rarely heard, "Million Sellers" and videos rare are found within the lists. It is a music lover's treasure hunt of long forgotten, magical memeories. You are the only invitee. Enjoy