Patti Page (born Clara Ann Fowler on November 8, 1927 in Claremore, Oklahom… Read Full Bio ↴Patti Page (born Clara Ann Fowler on November 8, 1927 in Claremore, Oklahoma (some sources give Muskogee, Oklahoma), died January 1, 2013 Encinitas, California) is one of the best-known female singers in traditional pop music. She is the best-selling female artist of the 1950s and was among the first to cross over from country music to pop. Her recording career spans the years 1947 to 1981. Page continued to perform live up until her death at 85. She was billed as "The Singing Rage, Miss Patti Page".

In 1974 and 1975, she recorded for Avco Records, and, in 1981, recorded for Plantation Records, her most recent record label. Page's most recent single to appear on any Billboard chart was the 1982 #80 country single, "My Man Friday". (She last appeared on the pop chart in 1968, with her version of O.C. Smith's hit, "Little Green Apples", and on the Adult Contemporary chart with "Give Him Love" in 1971.)

Page made the country chart in up to 1983, with her biggest hit during that time being "Hello, We're Lonely," a 1973 #14 duet with Tom T. Hall.

In the 1990s, Page started her own label, C.A.F. Records. In 1998, she won a Grammy as "Best Traditional Pop Singer". Page continued to record into the new millenium with the CDs BRAND NEW TENNESSEE WALTZ, SWEET SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS (2002), CHILD OF MINE (2003) and her last 2009 release BEST OF COUNTRY. Many of her songs have a strong beat to them that prelude rock 'n' roll. These titles include "Mister and Mississippi", "Detour" and "Cross Over the Bridge". In 1956, she married choreographer Charles O'Curran. They adopted two children, a daughter, Kathleen, and a son, Daniel O'Curran.

Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me
Patti Page Lyrics

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Someone told someone and someone told you
But they wouldn't hurt you, not much
Since everyone spread the story
With his own little personal touch

Do nothin' till you hear from me
Pay no attention to what's said
Why people tear the seam of anyone's dream

Is over my head
Do nothin' till you hear from me
At least consider our romance
If you should take the word of others you've heard
I haven't a chance
True I've been seen with someone new
But does that mean that I'm untrue
When we're apart the words in my heart
Reveal how I feel about you
Some kiss may cloud my memory
And other arms may hold a thrill
But please do nothin' till you hear it from me
And you never will
Do nothin' till you hear from me

Do nothin' till you hear from me
Pay no attention to what's said
Why people tear the seam of anyone's dream
Is over my head
Do nothin' till you hear from me
At least consider our romance
If you should take the word of others you've heard
I haven't a chance
True I've been seen with someone new
But does that mean that I'm untrue
When we're apart the words in my heart
Reveal how I feel about you
Some kiss may cloud my memory
And other arms may hold a thrill

But please do nothin' till you hear it from me
And you never will

Overall Meaning

In Patti Page's song "Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me", the singer is imploring the listener to not give into hearsay or rumors, especially concerning their relationship. The lyrics suggest that people often try to tear apart the dreams of others and create misunderstandings by spreading falsehoods. The singer encourages their partner to not believe everything they hear and to wait until they can hear the truth from the singer directly. The chorus repeats the central phrase "Do nothing till you hear from me" as a plea for the partner to not make any rash decisions until they can have an honest conversation and ensure that their love and commitment is still intact.

The song maintains a lighthearted, jazzy feeling, yet the lyrics delve into the serious topic of trust and communication in relationships. The lines "True, I've been seen with someone new / But does that mean that I've been untrue?" address the common fear of infidelity and the importance of discussing one's feelings with their partner. The final verse touches on the idea that even if the singer has been with someone else or experienced new things, their love for their partner is steadfast and true.

Interestingly, "Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me" was not originally written as a love song. It was composed by Duke Ellington and Bob Russell in 1940 as an instrumental piece, with the title "Concerto for Cootie". Ellington wrote the song as a tribute to his trumpeter Cootie Williams, who later added lyrics to the song. It has since become a jazz standard and has been covered by many artists, including Nina Simone, Louis Armstrong, and Diana Krall.

Line by Line Meaning

Do nothing till you hear from me,
Wait for my message before taking any action.

Pay no attention to what's said.
Don't listen to rumors or gossip.

Why people tear the seams of anyone's dreams
I don't understand why people try to ruin other people's aspirations.

Is over my head.
I don't have an answer to that question.

At least consider our romance.
Think about our relationship before jumping to conclusions.

If you should take the words of others you've heard,
If you believe what others are saying about me,

I haven't a chance.
You won't give me a fair chance.

True, I've been seen with someone new,
It's true I've been seen in public with another person.

But does that mean that I've been untrue?
But does that automatically mean I've been unfaithful?

When we're apart,
When we're not together,

The words in my heart
My true feelings,

Reveal how I feel about you.
Show that I have deep emotions for you.

Some kiss may cloud my memories,
Sometimes I may have romantic experiences with others that cloud my thoughts.

And other arms may hold a thrill,
I may feel excitement in someone else's embrace.

But please, do nothing till you hear it from me
But please don't act until you hear the truth from me.

And you never will.
You'll always hear the truth from me.

Lyrics © Freibank Musikverlags und vermarktungs GmbH, MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON, BOB RUSSELL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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