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).
Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye
Johnny Tillotson Lyrics
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Hold me each evening by your side
Tell me you love me for a million years
Then if it don't work out then if it don't work out
Then you can tell me goodbye
Sweeten my coffee with a morning kiss
Soften my dreams with your sigh
Then if it don't work out then if it don't work out
Then you can tell me goodbye
If you must go I won't grieve
If you'll just wait a lifetime before you leave
If you must go I won't say no but so we can say that we try
Tell me you love me for a million years
Then if it don't work out then if it don't work out
Then you can tell me goodbye then you can tell me goodbye
The song "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye" by Johnny Tillotson is a beautiful ballad about enduring love and the pain of letting go. The lyrics are a plea from the singer to their lover to promise to hold them close, kiss them each morning, and tell them they love them for a million years. The singer is searching for a reassurance that their love will last even in the event that things don't work out in the end. While the singer is hopeful that their love will last forever, they are realistic and prepared to let go if things do not work out. The final lines of the song, "Then you can tell me goodbye," are spoken with a sense of understanding and acceptance that things may not always work out as planned.
The song is a classic of its genre, and its message has resonated with audiences for decades. It speaks to the universal desire to find lasting love and the vulnerability of putting oneself out there in a relationship. Through the use of powerful imagery, like sweetening coffee with a morning kiss, the song creates a sense of intimacy and familiarity that is relatable to anyone who has ever been in love. Ultimately, the song leaves us with a powerful message about the importance of honesty and communication in any relationship, and the need to be prepared to let go if things do not work out.
Line by Line Meaning
Kiss me each morning for a million years
Plant a tender morning kiss on my lips for an eternal duration of time
Hold me each evening by your side
Embrace me gently every evening, never letting me go
Tell me you love me for a million years
Whisper in my ear the three words I need to hear for a million years non-stop
Then if it don't work out then if it don't work out
In the event that our love fades away, in the unlikely event it fades away
Then you can tell me goodbye
Then, and only then, are you permitted to utter the word 'goodbye'
Sweeten my coffee with a morning kiss
Make my coffee taste sweet as the morning dew with your kiss
Soften my dreams with your sigh
Let the sound of your sighs soothe my heart as I dream
If you must go I won't grieve
I won't mourn your departure if it's truly what you want
If you'll just wait a lifetime before you leave
But wait for a lifetime and cherish the time we have together before making your exit
If you must go I won't say no
I won't hold you back if you're convinced that's what you need
But so we can say that we try
But let us exhaust all options, give it our all, and leave with no regrets
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN LOUDERMILK, JOHN D LOUDERMILK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind