Tillis's biggest hits include "I Ain't Never", "Good Woman Blues", and "Coca-Cola Cowboy". On February 13, 2012, President Barack Obama awarded Tillis the National Medal of Arts for his contributions to country music.[1] He also has won the CMA Awards' most coveted award, Entertainer of the Year. He is also known for his speech impediment, which does not affect his singing voice. His daughter is country music singer Pam Tillis.
He died on November 19, 2017, at the age of 85.
Mel Tillis was born on August 8, 1932, in Tampa, Florida, but later raised in Pahokee, Florida, (near West Palm Beach). His stutter developed during his childhood, a result of a bout with malaria. As a child, Tillis learned the drums as well as guitar and at age 16, won a local talent show. He attended the University of Florida but dropped out and joined the United States Air Force. While stationed as a baker in Okinawa, he formed a band called The Westerners, which played at local nightclubs.
After leaving the Air Force in 1955, Tillis returned to Florida where he worked a number of odd jobs, eventually finding employment with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad in Tampa, Florida. He used his railroad pass to visit Nashville and eventually met and auditioned for Wesley Rose of famed Nashville publishing house Acuff-Rose Music. Rose encouraged Tillis to return to Florida and continue honing his songwriting skills. Tillis eventually moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and began writing songs full-time. Tillis wrote "I'm Tired," a No. 3 country hit for Webb Pierce in 1957. Other Tillis hits include "Honky Tonk Song" and "Tupelo County Jail." Ray Price and Brenda Lee also charted hits with Tillis's material around this time. In the late 1950s, after becoming a hit-making songwriter, he signed his own contract with Columbia Records. In 1958, he had his first Top 40 hit, "The Violet and a Rose," followed by the Top 25 hit "Sawmill."
Although Tillis charted on his own Billboard's Hot Country Songs list, he had more success as a songwriter. He continued to be Webb Pierce's songwriter. He wrote the hits "I Ain't Never" (Tillis's own future hit) and "Crazy, Wild Desire." Bobby Bare, Tom Jones ("Detroit City"), Wanda Jackson, and Stonewall Jackson also covered his songs. Tillis continued to record on his own. Some well-known songs from his Columbia years include "The Brooklyn Bridge," "Loco Weed," and "Walk on, Boy." However, he did not achieve major success on the country charts on his own.
In the mid-1960s, Tillis switched over to Kapp Records, and in 1965, he had his first Top 15 hit with "Wine." Other hits continued to follow, such as "Stateside" and "Life Turned Her That Way" (which was later covered by Ricky Van Shelton in 1988, going to No. 1). He wrote for Charley Pride ("The Snakes Crawl At Night") and wrote a big hit for Kenny Rogers and The First Edition called "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town." He also wrote the hit "Mental Revenge" for Outlaw superstar Waylon Jennings. (It has also been covered by the Hacienda Brothers, Linda Ronstadt, Gram Parsons, Barbara Mandrell, and Jamey Johnson.) In 1968, Tillis achieved his first Top 10 hit with "Who's Julie." He also was a regular featured singer on The Porter Wagoner Show.
Things turned around in 1969 for Tillis. He finally achieved the success he always wanted with two Top 10 country hits, "These Lonely Hands of Mine" and "She'll Be Hanging Around Somewhere." In 1970, he reached the Top 5 with "Heart Over Mind," which peaked at No. 3 on the Hot Country Songs list. After this, Tillis's career as a country singer went into full swing. Hits soon came quite easily, such as "Heaven Everyday" (1970), "Commercial Affection" (1970), "Arms of a Fool" (1970), "Take My Hand" (a duet with Sherry Bryce in 1971), and "Brand New Mister Me" (1971). In 1972, Tillis achieved his first chart-topper with his version of his song "I Ain't Never." Even though the song was previously a hit by Webb Pierce, Tillis's version is the better-known version of the two. Most of the above-mentioned song hits were recorded on MGM Records, Tillis's record company in the early part of the decade.
After the success of "I Ain't Never," Tillis had another hit, which came close to No. 1 (reaching No. 3), entitled "Neon Rose," followed by "Sawmill," which reached No. 2. "Midnight, Me and the Blues" was another near chart-topper in 1974. Other hits Tillis had on MGM include "Stomp Them Grapes" (1974), "Memory Maker" (1974), "Woman in the Back of My Mind" (1975), and his version of "Mental Revenge" (1976). Tillis achieved his biggest success with MCA Records, with which he signed in 1976. It started with a pair of two No. 1 hits in 1976, "Good Woman Blues" and "Heart Healer". (In an interview, he mentioned having written five hits in one week.) Thanks to this success, in 1976 Tillis won the CMA Awards's most coveted award, Entertainer of the Year, and was also inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame that year. He achieved another No. 1 in 1978 with "I Believe In You" and then again in 1979 with "Coca-Cola Cowboy," which was put in the Clint Eastwood movie Every Which Way but Loose, in which he also made a cameo appearance. Also in 1978, Mel co-hosted a short-lived variety series on ABC television, Mel and Susan Together with model Susan Anton. Other hits around this time included "Send Me Down to Tucson," "Ain't No California," and "I Got the Hoss." In mid-1979, Tillis switched to another record company, Elektra Records.
After signing with Elektra, he continued to make hit songs such as "Blind In Love" and "Lying Time Again," both hits in 1979. Until 1981, Tillis remained on top of his game as one of country music's most successful vocalists of the era. "Your Body Is an Outlaw" went to No. 3 in 1980, followed by another Top 10 hit, "Steppin' Out." "Southern Rains" in 1981 was his last No. 1 hit. That same year, he released an album of duets with Nancy Sinatra which spawned two hit singles, the Top 30 hit "Texas Cowboy Night" and the double A-side, "Play Me or Trade Me/Where Would I Be." He remained with Elektra until 1982 before switching back to MCA for a brief period in 1983. That summer, he scored a Top 10 hit with "In The Middle Of The Night" and had his last Top 10 hit with "New Patches" in 1984. By this time, however, Tillis had built up a financial empire thanks to investing in music publishing companies such as Sawgrass and Cedarwood. He also appeared in movies, including Love Revival, W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings (1975), The Villain (1979), Smokey and the Bandit II (1980),The Cannonball Run (1981), and Uphill All the Way (1986), a comedy western in which he starred with fellow country singer Roy Clark, among others. In 1979, he acquired radio station KIXZ (AM) in Amarillo, Texas, from Sammons-Ruff Associates, which converted from Top 40 to country music and became a force in the Panhandle region. A short time later, Tillis acquired Amarillo, Texas, Rock FM station KYTX, which changed calls to KMML (a play on Tillis's stutter). Still later he operated WMML in Mobile, Alabama. All of his stations were sold after a time for a healthy return. He briefly signed with RCA Records, as well as Mercury Records, and later Curb Records in 1991. By this time, his chart success had faded.
Since his heyday in the 1970s, Tillis remained a songwriter in the 1980s, writing hits for Ricky Skaggs and Randy Travis. He also wrote his autobiography called Stutterin' Boy. (The title comes from Tillis's speech impediment.) Tillis appeared as the television commercial spokesman for the fast-food restaurant chain Whataburger during the 1980s. Tillis continued to record and have occasional hits through the decade, with his last top-10 hit coming in 1984 and his last top-40 country hit in 1988; like most country artists of the classic era, his recording career was dented by changes in the country music industry in the early 1990s. He also built a theater in Branson, Missouri, where he performed on a regular basis until 2002. In 1998, he teamed up with Bobby Bare, Waylon Jennings, and Jerry Reed to form The Old Dogs. The group recorded a double album of songs penned entirely by Shel Silverstein. In July 1998, Old Dogs Volumes 1 and 2 were released on the Atlantic Records label. A companion video, as well as a Greatest Hits album (composed of previously released material by each individual artist), were also available. In the 1990s, Tillis's daughter, Pam Tillis, became a successful country music singer in her own right, having hits like "Maybe It Was Memphis" and "Shake the Sugar Tree."
The Grand Ole Opry inducted Mel Tillis on June 9, 2007. He was inducted into the Opry by his daughter Pam. Along with being inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, it was announced on August 7 that year that Tillis, along with Ralph Emery and Vince Gill, is the latest to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Tillis has six children: songwriter Mel "Sonny" Tillis, Jr., singer-songwriter Pam Tillis, Carrie April Tillis, Connie Tillis, Cindy Tillis, and Hannah Tillis. Mel has one brother, Richard, and two sisters, Linda and Imogene.
Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
Mel Tillis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you've never once looked back at your home across the track
You're the gossip of the town but my heart can still be found
Where you tossed it on the ground, pick me up on your way down
Pick me up on your way down when you're blue and all alone
When their glamor starts to bore you come on back where you belong
You may be their pride and joy but they'll find another toy
They have changed your attitude, now you're haughty and so rude
Your new friends can take the blame underneath, you're still the same
When you've learned these things are true I'll be waiting here for you
As you tumble to the ground pick me up on your way down
Pick me up on your way down
In the lyrics of Mel Tillis's song "Pick Me Up on Your Way Down," the singer reflects on a past relationship in which their partner has moved on and become caught up in a new lifestyle filled with glamour and social status. The singer laments how their former lover has seemingly forgotten their roots and the love they once shared, choosing to focus on their new image across the tracks. Despite the whispers and gossip surrounding the partner's transformation, the singer's heart remains with them, even as it was callously discarded on the ground.
The plea to "pick me up on your way down" conveys a sense of vulnerability and longing from the singer, who is aware of the transient nature of their partner's newfound life. The partner is described as becoming distant, proud, and rude in their new circle of friends, but the singer sees through this facade, recognizing that deep down, they are still the same person. The singer offers a sense of understanding and acceptance, waiting patiently for their partner to realize the truth about their situation and return to where they truly belong.
The lyrics suggest a sense of inevitability in the partner's eventual downfall from their pedestal of glamour and superficiality. The singer predicts that the fickle nature of their current companions will lead to their crown being taken away and their pride being shattered. In this moment of vulnerability and disillusionment, the singer extends a compassionate offer to be there to support and comfort their partner when they hit rock bottom, echoing the sentiment of "pick me up on your way down."
Overall, the lyrics of "Pick Me Up on Your Way Down" encapsulate themes of loyalty, resilience, and the enduring nature of true love. Despite the partner's transformation and the challenges they may face, the singer remains steadfast in their affection and willingness to provide solace in times of need. The song paints a poignant picture of the complexities of relationships and the power of unconditional love to transcend the obstacles and changes that life brings, ultimately striking a chord with listeners through its heartfelt plea for connection and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
You were mine for just a while now you're puttin' on the style
Our relationship was brief, but now you're flaunting your newfound sophistication.
And you've never once looked back at your home across the track
You’ve completely disregarded your past and where you came from, focusing only on your current status.
You're the gossip of the town but my heart can still be found
You've become the subject of everyone's conversations, yet my feelings for you remain unchanged.
Where you tossed it on the ground, pick me up on your way down
You discarded my love carelessly, but I hope you'll remember me when your situation declines.
Pick me up on your way down when you're blue and all alone
Come back to me when you’re feeling sad and isolated.
When their glamor starts to bore you come on back where you belong
Once the excitement of your new lifestyle fades, return to the comfort of what is familiar.
You may be their pride and joy but they'll find another toy
Although you may currently be their favorite, they will eventually move on to someone else.
Then they'll take away your crown pick me up on your way down
When you lose your status and recognition, remember to come back to me.
They have changed your attitude, now you're haughty and so rude
Your surroundings have altered your demeanor, making you arrogant and unpleasant.
Your new friends can take the blame underneath, you're still the same
Although your new companions have influenced you negatively, your true self hasn't changed.
When you've learned these things are true I'll be waiting here for you
Once you realize the reality of your situation, I’ll still be here, ready to accept you.
As you tumble to the ground pick me up on your way down
When your life begins to unravel, I hope you’ll remember me and seek comfort in my presence.
Pick me up on your way down
Please recall our shared past and reconnect with me during your struggles.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, LEGACY OF HARLAN PERRY HOWARD, LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harlan Howard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Grahamgusbull
Used to play vinyl off this LP,love his Kapp stuff,gorgeous wide stereo!
@michaelschlegel137
The awesome wicker bill does it again another great oldie from one of the greatest real genuine country music singers of all time great to hear this old song again wicker bill rules!!!!!!
@lenaandersson7270
Never get tired on "Pick me up........... & Mel sing fantastic 🎤🎸 Thanks again Bill 👍
@sandradurham
Thanks Bill for this one, it's one of my favourites & Mel Tillis sings a good version of it. 👍🎻❤🎻❤🎵🎶
@marryannlamb9853
Great song Bill . Have a blessed night.
@alexcrawford5350
How did you comment 34 minutes ago?, it was uploaded 5 minutes ago! Maybe you’re in a different time zone.
@WickerBillVintageCountryMusic
I can explain that Alex. Mary helps out by checking the songs for problems before they get posted.
@rebeccad5988
@@WickerBillVintageCountryMusic cool 😎
@sandradurham
Really love this catchy song & Mel Tillis sings a good version of it. Thanks Bill. 👍❤🎻❤🎻🎶🎵
@jennysauvola3497
I love this version from Mel Tillis,absolutely fantastic, thanks darl.