Early copies of the single were credited simply to "The Imperials," a group which had previously been known as "The Duponts" and "The Chesters." Brooklyn, New York deejay Alan Freed gave the group's lead singer, Anthony Gourdine, top billing while introducing the single over the air and the moniker of "Little Anthony and the Imperials" stuck.
"Tears on My Pillow" was a #4 hit single in the United States. Selling over a million copies, "Tears on My Pillow" was the most successful single of the Imperials' doo wop period. Its success would be matched only by the Imperials' 1964 single "Goin' Out of My Head."
One of the earlist covers was by the The McGuire Sisters in 1961, reaching #12 on the Adult Contemporary chart.
A cover of "Tears on My Pillow" by Sha Na Na was featured on the soundtrack to Grease. They played it also on their 1973 concert "Musikladen".
In 1986, New Edition released a Motown-covers album Under the Blue Moon that included a cover of "Tears on My Pillow." In the New Edition version, Little Anthony Gourdine himself appeared as a guest vocalist.
S Club 8 did a cover version as a B-Track on their second album, Sundown.
Clem Snide recorded a cover for the Stubbs the Zombie soundtrack.
"Tears on My Pillow" has also been covered by Timi Yuro, Chuck Jackson, Bobby Vee, Lou Christie, Martha and the Vandellas, Bobby Vinton, Johnny Tillotson, Neil Sedaka, Reba McEntire, Jodeci, Lorrie Morgan, Derrick Morgan with Lyn Tait & The Jets, Neils Children, and The Fleetwoods.
The song was also used in the season one seventh episode of Sliders entitled "The Weaker Sex," which originally aired as episode six. The character Rembrandt Brown (played by Cleavant Derricks) sings the song repeatedly on the street in an effort to raise money for a motel room.
Tears on My Pillow
Little Anthony & the Imperials 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