Johnny Tillotson (born 20 April 1938 in Jacksonville, Florida, USA) is an A… Read Full Bio ↴Johnny Tillotson (born 20 April 1938 in Jacksonville, Florida, USA) is an American singer and songwriter. He enjoyed his greatest success in the early 1960s, when he scored 9 top-ten hits on the pop, country and adult contemporary billboard charts including "Poetry In Motion" and the self-penned "It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin'".

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).

That's Love
Johnny Tillotson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Love is cattle in the clover sun shining over head
That's love
Love is children eatin' candy and a shell still wet and sandy
That's love
And love is when the lover waits and waits and waits and waits and waits
That's love that's love

Love is flowers grown and pretty both large and little bitty

That's love
Love is grand slowly rocking knittin' some grand kiddy's stockin'
That's love

Love is just a tender touch of the hand that mean so much
And that's love that's love

Love is just a state of mind that only those in love can find
That's love that's love

Overall Meaning

In Johnny Tillotson's song That's Love, he describes the many forms and manifestations of love. He begins by comparing love to the sight of cows grazing in a green field under the bright sunlight, which sparks a feeling of warmth and contentment. Moreover, love is also found in the joy of children as they indulge in sweet candy while soaking in the sea breeze on a beach.

Furthermore, love is also about waiting endlessly for someone you care about. The mere act of waiting becomes meaningful due to the depth of love one has for their partner. Tillotson continues to paint a picture of love by describing flowers in their variety and beauty, something that resonates deeply with those in love. Love is also reflected in the act of knitting a grandchild's stockings while sitting on a rocking chair with your loved one.

Finally, the most important aspect of love is reflected in a simple tender touch of the hand, which is enough to convey the depth of the sentiment. Tillotson concludes by emphasizing that love is a state of mind and is only felt by those who are truly in love.

Overall, the song is a poignant tribute to the many forms of love and reminds us that it's not always about grand gestures but can be found in the simplest of things.

Line by Line Meaning

Love is cattle in the clover sun shining over head
Love is a peaceful and comforting feeling much like the sight of cattle grazing in the sunshine under the blue sky.

That's love
This is what love is.

Love is children eatin' candy and a shell still wet and sandy
Love is the simple pleasures in life like watching children joyfully eat candy with sand on their hands.

And love is when the lover waits and waits and waits and waits and waits
Love is the patience that comes with waiting endlessly for the one you love.

That's love that's love
This is what true love is.

Love is flowers grown and pretty both large and little bitty
Love is the beauty found in flowers of all sizes and colors.

Love is grand slowly rocking knittin' some grand kiddy's stockin'
Love is the warmth and affection shared when slowly knitting a stocking for a beloved grandchild.

Love is just a tender touch of the hand that mean so much
Love is the significance and emotion conveyed by a gentle touch of the hand.

And that's love that's love
This is the essence of love.

Love is just a state of mind that only those in love can find
Love is a feeling and mindset that can only be experienced and understood by those who are in love.

That's love that's love
This is what true love is.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LOUDERMILK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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