Changing their name to the Imperials, they signed with End Records in 1958. Their first single was "Tears on My Pillow", which was an instant hit. (While playing this song, D.J. Alan Freed came up with the name "Little Anthony".) The B-side, "Two People in the World", was also a hit. The group followed up with "Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko Ko Bop" in 1960. When their success dwindled in 1961, Gourdine left to attempt a solo career. Some members left, and the line-up then became Collins, Wright, Sammy Strain, and George Kerr. Kerr was replaced by Kenny Seymour after a short time. This line-up had little success.[citation needed]
Gourdine returned in 1963, replacing Seymour. The group's classic line-up – Gourdine, Wright, Collins, and Strain – was now complete. With the help of record producer/songwriter Teddy Randazzo (a childhood friend of the group), the Imperials found success on the new DCP (Don Costa Productions) label with the dramatic pop-soul records "I'm On The Outside (Looking In)" (1964), "Goin' Out Of My Head" (1964), "Hurt So Bad" (1965), "I Miss You So" (1965), "Take Me Back" (1965), "Hurt" (1966), "Better Use Your Head" (1966), and "Out of Sight, Out Of Mind" (1969).[2] In 1965, the Imperials appeared on the CBS-TV special Murray The K - It's What's Happening, Baby, where they performed "I'm Alright" before a live audience in New York at the Brooklyn Fox Theatre. At the height of their career, the group made two appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, at the time television's top talent showcase, on March 28, 1965, and again on January 25, 1970.[3][4] They also performed on many other popular television variety shows during the sixties, including Shindig!, Hullabaloo, Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall, Dick Clark's American Bandstand, and The Tonight Show.
The Imperials then joined United Artists Records and were assigned to its Veep Records subsidiary, and then to the parent label itself, where they recorded "World Of Darkness", "If I Remember To Forget", "Yesterday Has Gone", and the Thom Bell-produced "Help Me Find A Way (To Say I Love You)".
Albums from this era include: Reflections, Payin' Our Dues, Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind (named after their hit cover of The Five Keys song), and Movie Grabbers, which included a rendition of "You Only Live Twice", the James Bond motion picture theme.[citation needed]
They recorded three singles for Janus Records including "Father Father", which they later performed on the Merv Griffin Show. Then they went to Avco Records in the mid-1970s and recorded On A New Street,[5] and charted with the songs "La La La (At the End)" and "I'm Falling In Love With You". This album was produced by both Bell and Randazzo. A second LP for Avco Records entitled Hold On was withdrawn from sale in the USA after the failure of the title track to sell and AVCO's subsequent financial difficulties. The group appeared on Soul Train on May 26, 1973. By this time, Strain and Wright had left the group, although both would eventually return.[citation needed]
Wright left in 1971 to join Tony Williams' Platters. He was replaced by the returning Kenny Seymour, who was again replaced after a short time by Bobby Wade. Strain left in 1972. He had a restaurant in Los Angeles and was not singing for three years; at the end of that period he was briefly a member of The Fandangos with Lonnie Cook and Alvin Walker. He also auditioned for the lead voice of Arpeggio. Strain had been replaced by Harold Jenkins as a member of The Imperials. He then joined The O'Jays as the replacement for original O'Jays member William Powell, who left the group due to illness. (Powell died of cancer shortly thereafter.) Jenkins had already been functioning as the group's choreographer. Jenkins and Seymour had previously performed together in the Impacts. Little Anthony left for a second (more successful) attempt at a solo career. The trio of Collins, Wade, and Jenkins continued as "the Imperials". Collins left in 1988, and was replaced by Sherman James. They then toured as "Bobby Wade's Imperials". James left in 1992, and was replaced by Ron Stevenson.[citation needed]
Tears On My Pillow
Little Anthony Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don't remember me, but I remember you
'Twas not so long ago, you broke my heart in two
Tears on my pillow, pain in my heart
Caused by you, you
If we could start anew, I wouldn't hesitate
I'd gladly take you back, and tempt the hand of fate
Love is not a gadget, love is not a toy
When you find the one you love
She'll fill your heart with joy
If we could start anew, I wouldn't hesitate
I'd gladly take you back, and tempt the hand of fate
Tears on my pillow, pain in my heart, caused by you
You (oh oh oh)
You (oh oh oh) you (oh oh oh)
You (oh oh oh) you (oh oh oh)
The song "Tears on My Pillow" by Little Anthony & the Imperials is a soulful ballad about heartbreak and the longing for reconciliation. The lyrics are relatable to anyone who has experienced the pain of losing somebody they loved dearly. The song starts with the singer reminiscing about a past love who broke his heart in two. He remembers her vividly, but she seems to have forgotten him. He confesses that he is still hurting and shares the image of tears on his pillow as evidence of the pain that she caused him.
As the song progresses, the singer longs for a fresh start with his former lover. He is willing to risk getting hurt again to be with her. He sees love as something profound and more substantial than a mere gadget or toy. It is clear that the singer's heart is full of hope for a second chance, but he is still suffering from the pain that she caused him.
The lyrics of "Tears on My Pillow" are beautifully written and characterized by their emotional depth. The song has stood the test of time and continues to evoke strong emotions from listeners worldwide. Its universal message of love, loss, and hope resonates with people of all ages and backgrounds.
Line by Line Meaning
(Oh oh oh)
The singer is expressing anguish and disappointment.
You don't remember me, but I remember you
The singer is lamenting how his love was unrequited and unnoticed.
'Twas not so long ago, you broke my heart in two
The singer recalls how his heart was broken by this love interest not too long ago.
Tears on my pillow, pain in my heart
The singer describes his ongoing emotional pain from the heartbreak.
Caused by you, you
The singer blames his pain on the person who broke his heart.
If we could start anew, I wouldn't hesitate
The singer longs for a chance to start over with this person.
I'd gladly take you back, and tempt the hand of fate
Despite the heartbreak, the singer is still willing to pursue a relationship with this person and take a chance on fate.
Love is not a gadget, love is not a toy
The singer is expressing that love is not a trivial thing.
When you find the one you love
The singer imparts that finding love is a deeply fulfilling experience.
She'll fill your heart with joy
The singer describes the happiness and contentment that comes with finding genuine love.
You (oh oh oh)
The singer is directly addressing the person who broke his heart.
You (oh oh oh) you (oh oh oh)
The singer emphasizes the pain he is experiencing, once again directly addressing the person who caused it.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Sylvester Bradford, Al Lewis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@goodshepherd3438
I was 14 years old back in Montreal QUEBEC the best music
The fifties
Teenager wore so different then
Today.
We fell in love very young
Even myself got married at 17years old and my husband 19years old.
My marriage lasted 45years until he pass away.
From cancer but one day i shall reunite with my beloved husband.
I love him and always will.
Now he is resting with the LORD JESUS
@lucass8135
You don't remember me, but I remember you
'Twas not so long ago, you broke my heart in two
Tears on my pillow, pain in my heart
Caused by you, you
If we could start anew, I wouldn't hesitate
I'd gladly take you back, and tempt the hand of fate
Tears on my pillow, pain in my heart, caused by you
Love is not a gadget, love is not a toy
When you find the one you love
She'll fill your heart with joy
If we could start anew, I wouldn't hesitate
I'd gladly take you back, and tempt the hand of fate
Tears on my pillow, pain in my heart, caused by you
You (oh oh oh)
You (oh oh oh), you (oh oh oh)
You (oh oh oh) you (oh oh oh)
@anthonystephenson3521
Music like these made me wish i was born in the 50's, 60's or 70's but then i remembered im black..... oh well good era of music.
@nikooliver8078
Anthony Stephenson My thoughts exactly such an amazing time
@wilt3051
Be happy man the racist boomers are dying out especially the bitch that framed Emmitt Till which lead to his death RIP Young Emmitt!!!
@dufasaurjoe2899
Look up Sidney Bechet's wedding. Depends where and when.
@atomictraveller
no doubt
i'm just welsh, i open my mouth and its all over. no homies for me.
@289rory
Preach 🤣 We weren’t welcome in the 50’s.
@thevault4946
1960:little Anthony
2019:Lil' Anthony......
@williamcody1385
Lmao
@retroshawty2303
2019: Lil Ant...🐜
@aaronbradley3232
Smh