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).
Worried Guy
Johnny Tillotson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I laugh at all and I tell them
That's why they lie but I'm a worried guy
You said last night you had to stay at home
Then how come you didn't answer the phone
That boy don't cry but I'm a worried guy
So if you got a cheatin' heart you'll break my heart in two
Won't you tell me the stories that I hear
Are nothing but the silly rumors
Tell then oh my I'm just a worried guy
[ string ]
That boy don't cry but I'm a worried guy
I never been unfaithful to you...
I'm just a worried guy I'm just a worried guy
I'm just a worried guy I'm just a worried guy
In Johnny Tillotson's song Worried Guy, the singer expresses his apprehension regarding his partner's fidelity. Although his friends insinuate that she is a run-around, the singer dismisses their claims and insists that they are lying. However, his worry is evinced through his questions about why she did not answer the phone when she was supposedly at home. He implores his partner to tell him the truth and to dissuade him from believing the rumors that have been circulating.
The lyrics are indicative of the singer's internal conflict as he grapples with his trust in his partner and the rumors that surround her. He fears that his heart will be broken if she has been unfaithful, and he is almost resigned to his fate as a "worried guy." Despite his anxiety, he refrains from crying and instead presents a stoic facade, trying to confront his doubts by pleading with his partner to disprove the rumors. In sum, the song is a lamentation of the uncertainty that comes with romantic relationships and the difficulties of trusting someone implicitly.
Line by Line Meaning
When my friends say that you're a run-around
When my friends tell me that you're seeing other guys behind my back
I laugh at all and I tell them, That's why they lie but I'm a worried guy
I pretend it's a joke and tell them they're wrong, but secretly I'm concerned they may be telling the truth
You said last night you had to stay at home
You told me you were staying in for the night
Then how come you didn't answer the phone
But why didn't you answer my calls?
That boy don't cry but I'm a worried guy
I don't want to show weakness, but I'm really anxious
I never been unfaithful to you
I have always been loyal to you
So if you got a cheatin' heart you'll break my heart in two
If you're cheating on me, it would devastate me
Won't you tell me the stories that I hear
Won't you clarify the rumors I've been hearing?
Are nothing but the silly rumors
That these rumors are false and unfounded
Tell then oh my I'm just a worried guy
Assuming these stories are untrue, I'm still worried about losing you
That boy don't cry but I'm a worried guy
I don't want to appear weak, but I'm really anxious
I'm just a worried guy I'm just a worried guy
Overall, I'm just a very nervous person when it comes to our relationship
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
VeeFan1964
My all time favorite by Johnny, I told him that it was my favorite when I met him after a show, he started to sing it, and said "hey, that was a good one. I liked that!".
Timothy Thorne
This wasn't one of Tillotson's biggest hits, but it was one of his best and most heartfelt. It kind of got caught up in the British Invasion. If it had come out about 2 months earlier no doubt it would have been a BIG hit.
Nick Madness
He sang the "Gidget" theme song.😍Loved that show.
Anyway, "Worried Guy" is probably my favorite from the former teen idle.
Beautiful stereo sound, thanks for posting this T.S.👍
I'm sure this would have peaked higher than #37 on the Billboard Hot 100 if it wasn't for a certain epidemic emerging in North America known as Beatlemania, (which I was smitten by.😁)
craig allison
Thanks for posting one of Johnnys best....got that wonderful 50's / 60;s ound. Cheers, Shari
Barbara Jedyk
lovesong😍🤩😘😘
chris jones
My favorite JT song as well.
1crankyvet
go Johnny go.
Milton Moore
THE BEST OF HIS SNAPPY, FAST PACED UP-BEAT
RECORDINGS!
GREAT CHOIR AND FADE-OUT ENDING.
[EVERYONE SHOULD GOOGLE ELVIS PRESLEY on
I FEEL THAT I'VE KNOWN YOU FOREVER, CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE, AND ANGEL,
all on the Cindyork
Hong Kong channel.
And I CAN'T STOP LOVING YOU YOU
and BLOWIN' IN THE WIND on this channel.🤠😃😺
lars eriksson
tror den var uppföljaren till " talk back trembling lips" här i sverige
Jim Rader
as spacey as dc5's try too hard