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).
Why Do I Love You
Johnny Tillotson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My darlin' I have often thought of things we used to do,
And now I sit and wonder why you're gone and left me blue,
You said you'd never leave me, you said you'd never go,
Oh my darlin', why do I love you so?
Oh my darlin', why do I love you so?
Oooo - Oooo - Oooo - Oooo.......
Is it because you stroked my hair when you were by my side?
Or is it because of the tears you cried when your little puppy died?
You said you'd never leave me, you said you'd never go,
Oh my darlin', why do I love you so?
Oh my darlin', why do I love you so?
Oooo - Oooo - Oooo - Oooo.......
The lyrics of Johnny Tillotson's "Why Do I Love You So" express the singer's confusion and heartbreak over a lost love. He reflects on the memories of things they used to do together and wonders why his lover has left him feeling so down. He references the promises she made to never leave him and questions why he still loves her despite the pain she has caused him. The lyrics also touch on sentimental moments shared between the couple, such as when she comforted him by stroking his hair and when they mourned the loss of her puppy.
Overall, the song captures the emotional turmoil of a broken relationship and the struggle to understand why love can be so painful yet still feel so strong. The use of the repeated "Oooo" sounds throughout the song adds to the sense of longing and melancholy that permeates the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
My darlin' I have often thought of things we used to do,
I frequently reminisce on the memories we made, my beloved
And now I sit and wonder why you're gone and left me blue,
I ponder why you departed, leaving me mired in melancholy
You said you'd never leave me, you said you'd never go,
You once assured me that you would never desert me
Oh my darlin', why do I love you so?
Oh my beloved, I question why I feel such strong affection for you
Is it because you stroked my hair when you were by my side?
Do I cherish you due to the moments you ran your fingers through my hair?
Or is it because of the tears you cried when your little puppy died?
Perhaps it's your display of emotion when your pet passed away that imbued my admiration for you
You said you'd never leave me, you said you'd never go,
Once again, you declared that you would never abandon me
Oh my darlin', why do I love you so?
My dearest, I'm still perplexed about the reasons for my intense love for you
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@oskarlo733
My darlin' I have often thought of things we used to do,
And now I sit and wonder why you're gone and left me blue,
You said you'd never leave me, you said you'd never go,
Oh my darlin', why do I love you so?
Oh my darlin', why do I love you so?
Oooo - Oooo - Oooo - Oooo.......
Is it because you stroked my hair when you were by my side?
Or is it because of the tears you cried when your little puppy died?
You said you'd never leave me, you said you'd never go,
Oh my darlin', why do I love you so?
Oh my darlin', why do I love you so?
Oooo - Oooo - Oooo - Oooo.......
@ronaldherrera3479
Oooo - Oooo - Oooo - Oooo.......
My darlin' I have often thought .....
of things we used to do!!
And now I sit and wonder why ?
you're gone and left me blue !!
You said you'd never leave me !!
you said you'd never go!!
Oh my darlin' - why do I love you so?
Oh my darlin' - why do I love you so?
Oooo - Oooo - OOooo - Oooo.......
Is it because you stroked my hair -
when you were by my side?
Or is it because of the tears you cried !!
when your little puppy died?
You said you'd never leave me !! you said you'd never go!!
Oh my darlin' - why do I love you so?
Oh my darlin' - why do I love you so?
Oooo - Oooo - Oooo - Oooo.......
@ronniesalyer3095
I am 73 years old. This is part of the soundtrack of my life.
@herald1953
now its part of mine too
@kingz4810
So much adolescents are listen this typo of music, and all vintage music, me too! Thanks for this music <3 Saludos from Argentina!
@louiemayorga3704
Ronnie Salyer god bless u
@zachariahnaidoo3765
Would love to hear your life stories
@alfredocampillo2476
This is the wholesome part of this kind of videos in YouTube
@felipeortiz9869
I just want to say that Johnny Tillotson is alive and healthy
He is 85 years old :)
@margodewinne3727
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
@juniorthird7952
Nice
@retro1937
Long live John Tilotson