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).
What Am I Gonna Do
Johnny Tillotson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm so afraid of losing you can't sleep at night since we're through
My world would end if I lose you oh what am I gonna do
In all my dreams I see your smile though it just last a little while
For that same smile he dreams up too oh what am I gonna do
You looked into his eyes and said words you said to me
Each time he holds you close something happens to me
I wish that you were in my arms just saying you love me
Endless dreams lonely nights empty arms that long to hold you tight
Mem'ries of a love untrue oh what am I gonna do
Oh what am I gonna do
The lyrics of Johnny Tillotson's song "What Am I Gonna Do" describe the pain of losing someone and the fear of not being able to move on. The singer is deeply afraid of losing the person he loves and cannot sleep at night since the relationship ended. He feels like his world would come to an end if he were to lose this person. Despite his fear, the singer cannot stop dreaming about the person he loves, even though those dreams are fleeting. He knows that this person is seeing someone else, and it hurts him deeply to see her with someone else. He wishes that she was in his arms again, telling him that she loves him.
The song depicts a common feeling that people go through after a breakup. The fear of losing someone you love and the pain of not being able to move on can be debilitating. The lyrics offer comfort for those who know the feeling of a heartbreak. They provide a way to know that they are not alone in their hurt and encourages them to talk about their feelings rather than bottling them up.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm so afraid of losing you can't sleep at night since we're through
Since we broke up, I'm scared of losing you and I can't even sleep properly due to my fear.
My world would end if I lose you oh what am I gonna do
My whole world would come crashing down if I ever lose you and I can't even comprehend what I would do in that situation.
In all my dreams I see your smile though it just last a little while
My dreams are filled with memories of your beautiful smile, even though they are only brief.
For that same smile he dreams up too oh what am I gonna do
But the sad reality is, the guy you're seeing now also dreams of that same smile, and I don't know how to face this situation.
I've seen you out with him though you've not seen me
I've seen you with your new man, but you haven't seen me yet.
You looked into his eyes and said words you said to me
You looked into his eyes and said the same things you used to say to me, and it hurts me a lot.
Each time he holds you close something happens to me
Every time he holds you close, I feel a sense of pain and loss within me.
I wish that you were in my arms just saying you love me
I wish you were in my arms, saying that you love me and that we could be together again.
Endless dreams lonely nights empty arms that long to hold you tight
I have endless dreams and lonely nights, with empty arms that yearn to hold you tightly again.
Mem'ries of a love untrue oh what am I gonna do
I'm filled with memories of our love, which now seem like a lie, and I don't know what to do.
Oh what am I gonna do
I'm asking myself what I'm supposed to do in this situation, as I can't seem to forget about you.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: HAGGARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Milton Moore
On a haunting, melancholic
romantic ballad
like this, his voice
just rips your heart out, while at
the same time charming the birds right out of
the trees and bringing the stars
out of the nighttime sky.
Ruth Boykin
I agree!
Milton Moore
Ruth Boykin
Google Julie London
on WHEN I FALL IN LOVE, aausejo ch, &
Brook Benton interview on the Joe
Franklin Show.
whispperson
One of The Most Underated Singer/Songwriters in the History Of Music. What a Singer this Man is.
takashi koba
I am Japanese,but I used to hear these songs in my junior highschool or highschool ages. Jonny Tillotson was one of my favorite singers. I love his sweet voice even now
barrygioportmorien1
Another great tune by Johnny.
Ruth Boykin
Love it! thank you, Tom. I have to share this one!
Tom Smith
You're welcome!
Carl Lawson
Wow just magic
barrygioportmorien1
Excellent !!!!