The stage name P.J. Proby was suggested to him by a friend named Sharon Sheeley (Eddie Cochran's girlfriend) who remembered the name of an old high school boyfriend.
P.J. Proby did demos for Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and other artists. His greatest hits are "Somewhere", "Maria", "Hold Me", "Niki Hoeky" and "I Apologise". In 1996, Marc Almond produced the album Legend which included the duet single "Yesterday Has Gone".
Mission Bell
P.J. Proby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Say those pretty words
And I will give my love to you)
My love is higher than a mission bell
(How deep?)
Deeper than a wishing well
(How strong?)
My Love for you is
Wider than the widest sea
(How long?)
Longer than a memory
(How sweet?)
Sweeter than a honey tree
My love for you ooh my love for you
Give me your heart of gold
Your heavenly magic touch
To cherish have and hold
I need your love so much
(Say that you love me
Say those pretty words
And I will give my love to you)
My love is warmer than day in spring
(How bright?)
Brighter than a diamond ring
(How great?)
Greater than a mighty
My love for you is
Is taller than the tallest tree
(How soft?)
Softer than the summer breeze
Oh I ask you please to give
Your love, your love, sweet love to me
The lyrics of "Mission Bell" by P.J. Proby express his undying love for a significant other, asking them to reciprocate their love. He pleads with them to say the words 'I love you', convincing them that he would give his love to them in return. The song's refrain reiterates how deep, strong, wide, long, sweet, warm, bright, great, and tall his love is, emphasizing the strength of his feelings. He promises to cherish and hold his significant other's heart of gold with his heavenly magic touch.
The metaphor of the mission bell refers to the bell towers found in the missions of California, ringing out not only to praise God but also to mark the passage of time. Proby uses this metaphor to demonstrate that his love has withstood the test of time and that it will continue to ring out indefinitely.
Overall, "Mission Bell" encapsulates the depth of feelings that come with true, committed love. It inspires listeners to express their own love and affection to their significant others, mirroring Proby's desire to receive it back.
Line by Line Meaning
Say that you love me
Express your affection towards me
Say those pretty words
Utter tender and beautiful expressions of love
And I will give my love to you
I will reciprocate your love equally
My love is higher than a mission bell
My affection for you is profound and intense
Deeper than a wishing well
My love surpasses desires and aspirations
Stronger than a magic spell
My love is unbreakable like a powerful enchantment
Wider than the widest sea
My love for you is extensive and vast like the ocean
Longer than a memory
My love for you is enduring and persistent like a recollection
Sweeter than a honey tree
My love for you is delightful and gratifying like nectar from a flower
Give me your heart of gold
Surrender your kind and generous heart to me
Your heavenly magic touch
Your divine and enchanting influence
To cherish have and hold
To treasure and keep close to my heart
I need your love so much
I crave and depend on your affection
My love is warmer than day in spring
My love for you is fervent and intense like the warmth of spring
Brighter than a diamond ring
My love for you is radiant and brilliant like a diamond
Greater than a mighty
My love is majestic and grand
Is taller than the tallest tree
My love for you is lofty and towering like a tree
Softer than the summer breeze
My love for you is gentle and serene like a breeze in the season of summer
Oh I ask you please to give
I earnestly implore you to offer
Your love, your love, sweet love to me
Your affection, your endearment, your delightful love to me
Lyrics © SPIRIT MUSIC GROUP
Written by: William Michael
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rock Martinez
This is so awesome...best version of this song and Proby was a great singer and even if this is lip synched it's a treasure.
Charismaticart
Only a few people in the entertainment business can generate such excitement. Proby excelled in every way.
Fred Cooper
P.J. Proby's biggest international hit, reaching No. 3 in Australia.
Sherree Wilson
Use to play this on my record player over and over in the 60. Love you PJ. 🌹❤️
Kathy Bacsa
best version of this song love his style just awesome
Tony Music
P.J. Proby was and is a treasure. ❤️
Margaret Robertson
He is so adorable in all his songs, love Mission Bell 🔔
Evy Bastiaens
What a performance. Looks PJ is having the time of his life. Hé gets me lucky.
Colin Cleave
Never seen that video of PJ.... excellent blast from past.LOVE that song!
joe barnes
the best version of this song,but them most things p.j. does are better than other versions of songs