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 And The Imperials Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
it was not so long ago, you broke my heart in two
Tears on my pillow, pain in my heart
Caused by you, you
[Chorus]
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
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Little Anthony And The Imperials's song Tears on My Pillow are a classic representation of heartbreak and lost love. The song starts with the singer telling the person who broke his heart, "You don't remember me, but I remember you." This shows that the person he loved has moved on with their life while he is still struggling to come to terms with the heartbreak.
The chorus of the song talks about how the singer is willing to start over with the person who broke his heart. He says, "If we could start anew, I wouldn't hesitate, I'd gladly take you back, and tempt the hand of fate." This shows that despite the hurt and pain caused by the other person, the singer is still in love with them and is willing to take a chance on the relationship again.
The song ends on a positive note, with the singer telling everyone that love is not a gadget or a toy, but something that fills your heart with joy when you find the right person. This gives the listeners hope that even though love can be painful at times, it is still worth taking a chance on.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't remember me, but I remember you
I still have you in my thoughts, though you may have forgotten about me completely
it was not so long ago, you broke my heart in two
You shattered my heart and it still hurts till this day, even though it may seem like it happened ages ago
Tears on my pillow, pain in my heart
The pain that you caused me has left me feeling heartbroken and left me crying silently
Caused by you, you
It is with you that I place the blame for my heartache and tears
If we could start anew, I wouldn't hesitate
If we had the chance to start again, I would take it without a moment's hesitation
I'd gladly take you back, and tempt the hand of fate
I am willing to give it another try even though it could end up with the same consequences that led to my heartbreak before
Love is not a gadget, love is not a toy
Love is not something that can be treated as a mere object or a plaything
When you find the one you love
When you find that special person in your life, the one who truly makes your life worth living
she'll fill your heart with joy
They will bring happiness and endless joy to your life
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, IMAGEM MUSIC INC
Written by: AL LEWIS, SYLVESTER BRADFORD
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