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).
Princess Princess
Johnny Tillotson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Princess, Princess, you're a dream
Cutest girl I've ever seen
You were sent from up above
To hold my hand and give me love
Princess, Princess, when you kiss
You make all my dreams come true
Princess, I'm in love with you
Each time you're near me
My heart's in a whirl
I feel so happy
When you tell me you're my girl
Princess, Princess, cross my heart
Hope that we will never part
Promise me that you'll be mine
An' that you'll love me all the time
Princess, Princess, Princess, my love
Princess, Princess, I'll be true
I'll give all my love to you
You're the girl that I dream of
Princess, I'm so much in love
With your blue eyes
Your soft, tender touch
Your angel sweetness
I love you much too much
Princess, Princess, you're a dream
Cutest girl I've ever seen
You were sent from up above
Princess, Princess, you're my love
Princess, Princess, Princess, my love
Princess, Princess, Princess...
In "Princess Princess" by Johnny Tillotson, the singer professes his undying love for his dream girl. He refers to her as a "princess" - a term often associated with royalty, beauty, and grace. He believes that she was sent from above just for him, that she completes him in a way nothing else can. The singer cannot resist her sweet kisses, and being with her makes all his dreams come true. His heart is in a whirl when she is near him, and he is happy when she tells him she's his girl. The singer says he'll be true to her and promises to give all his love to her. He ends with the repetition of "Princess, Princess, Princess, my love," which emphasizes the intensity of his feelings for her.
This song speaks to the classic trope of love at first sight. The singer sees the girl and knows immediately that she is the one for him. It also portrays the singer's sense of devotion and commitment to the girl: he pledges to love her and be true to her forever. It's a simple, sweet love song that speaks to the enduring power of infatuation and commitment.
Line by Line Meaning
Princess, Princess, Princess, my love
Addressing the beloved Princess with intense love and admiration
Princess, Princess, you're a dream
Beloved Princess is the epitome of perfection and an ideal partner
Cutest girl I've ever seen
Beloved Princess is extremely attractive and charming
You were sent from up above
Beloved Princess is a heavenly gift and meant to be with the singer
To hold my hand and give me love
Beloved Princess is here to love and support the singer
Princess, Princess, when you kiss
The singer is highly impressed by the sweet kiss of the beloved Princess
You're so sweet, I can't resist
The sweetness of the Princess is irresistible to the singer
You make all my dreams come true
The Princess is the fulfillment of all romantic and dreamy desires of the singer
Princess, I'm in love with you
'Love' is expressed towards the Princess with utmost sincerity
Each time you're near me
The singer feels joy and happiness in the company of the beloved Princess
My heart's in a whirl
The singer's heart is overwhelmed with emotions
I feel so happy
The singer's heart is filled with bliss and contentment
When you tell me you're my girl
The singer feels ecstatic on hearing that the Princess is exclusively his
Princess, Princess, cross my heart
An expression of strong affirmation and promise to the Princess
Hope that we will never part
The singer wishes to be with the Princess forever
Promise me that you'll be mine
A request to the Princess to exclusively belong to the singer
An' that you'll love me all the time
The singer seeks love, support, and commitment from the Princess
Princess, Princess, Princess, my love
Reasserting the deep affection and love towards the Princess
Princess, Princess, I'll be true
An assertion of loyalty and honesty towards the Princess
I'll give all my love to you
The singer promises to give all love to the Princess
You're the girl that I dream of
The Princess is the ideal partner and fits the singer's dreams
Princess, I'm so much in love
The singer is deeply and intensely in love with the Princess
With your blue eyes
The singer admires the beauty and charm of the Princess's blue eyes
Your soft, tender touch
The singer is delighted by the Princess's sensitive and gentle touch
Your angel sweetness
The singer admires the Princess's divine and charming nature
I love you much too much
The singer loves the Princess beyond measure
Princess, Princess, you're a dream
Reiterating that the Princess is an ideal and dreamy partner
Cutest girl I've ever seen
The Princess is the cutest and most attractive person ever seen
You were sent from up above
The Princess is the heavenly gift, blessed by the divine
Princess, Princess, you're my love
The song concludes on a heartfelt note by acknowledging the Princess as the ultimate love and partner
Princess, Princess, Princess...
Expression of infinite love and admiration, as the song fades out
Contributed by Tristan R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
はるまき
Princess, Princess, Princess, my love
Princess, Princess, you're a dream
Cutest girl I've ever seen
You were sent from up above
To hold my hand and give me love
Princess, Princess, when you kiss
You're so sweet, I can't resist
You make all my dreams come true
Princess, I'm in love with you
Each time you're near me
My heart's in a whirl
I feel so happy
When you tell me you're my girl
Princess, Princess, cross my heart
Hope that we will never part
Promise me that you'll be mine
An' that you'll love me all the time
St Pauli
i have this LP in stereo.it's so wonderful to listen to.the vinyl has some surface noise and i think it adds to the memories as well as the warmth of the tunes
sparkescadman
An overlooked gem-lots of fun, and I love that echo!
Kaz
This song became a big hit in Japan (released as an A-sided single separately from "Poetry In Motion")and in the late 80's a verry successful all-girls band PRINCESS PRINCESS borrowed their name from this song.
Milton Moore
The Japanese seem to have great taste in
music, especially
pop and classical.
エリック
I was just scrolling down to comments looking for the first one who mention the great all girl band Princess Princess. Thank you for making my day. Lol
barrygioportmorien1
Great tune by Johnny.
Eliana Rodriguezyy0kk
Preciosa canción de la mano con una linda voz
thecountofbasie
Played this side more than "Poetry In Motion" back in the day...love hearing clean stereo mixes...double delight...thank you
Carl Thew
I LISTEN TO JOHNNY TILLOTSON ON CD AND HE IS A BRILLIANT
thecountofbasie
This is the B-side of Poetry In Motion, isn't it? Had the 45 way back in the day...very clean sound...gotta love anyone who respects their rare vinyl...thanks for sharing