Self-taught on the guitar, Otis Whitman worked at a shipyard in Tampa while developing a musical career, eventually performing with a band known as the "Variety Rhythm Boys". Whitman's first big break came when agent Colonel Tom Parker heard him singing on the radio and offered to represent him. Signed with RCA Records, he was billed as the cowboy singer, "Slim Whitman" and released his first 45rpm single in 1948. He toured and sang at a variety of venues including on the popular radio show, the Louisiana Hayride.
He only became a full time musician in the early 1950s after he recorded a version of the Bob Nolan hit Love Song of the Waterfall that made it into the country music Top 10 chart. His next single, Indian Love Call, was even more successful, going to the No.2 position (and actually saving the world in the 1996 movie Mars Attacks! where it proves fatal to the invading Martians). A yodeler, Whitman avoided the "down on yer luck-buried in booze" songs, preferring instead to sing laid-back romantic melodies about simple life and love.
In 1955, in the United Kingdom, he had a No.1 hit on the pop music charts with Rose Marie. With eleven weeks at the top of the charts, the song set a record that lasted for thirty-six years. Soon after recording this big hit Whitman was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry and in 1957, along with other musical stars, he appeared in the film musical, Jamboree. Despite this type of exposure, he never achieved the level of stardom in the United States that he did in Britain where he had a number of hits during the 1950s and 60s. Throughout the early 1970s, he continued to record and was a guest on Wolfman Jack's musical television show, The Midnight Special. At the time, Whitman's recording efforts were yielding only minor hits and in 1974 he stopped making new records.
Secret Love
Slim Whitman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That lived within the heart of me
All too soon my secret love
Became impatient to be free
So I told a friendly star
The way that dreamers often do
Just how wonderful you are
Now I shout it from the highest hills
Even told the golden daffodils
At last my heart's an open door
And my secret love's no secret anymore
The lyrics to Slim Whitman's 'Secret Love' tell the story of a love that was hidden and now is revealed. The song is about confessing one's love to the person they admire after keeping it secret for too long. The opening lines, "Once I had a secret love, That lived within the heart of me" tell of the singer's secret feelings for someone. However, things change over time as the love grew, and the embrace of their emotions became increasingly urgent.
The line, "Became impatient to be free," describes how the love within the singer had become so much that it was difficult to keep it hidden. It then tells of how the singer shared their feelings to a star, which represents a confidant for their secret thoughts. The star is a metaphor, with the dream of confessing their love and making it known, something they envisioned for so long. The singer goes ahead to share what makes this person special and beautiful, revealing that they are head-over-heels in love.
In the last lines, the singer proudly proclaims that they are no longer hiding their love, and it's now out in the open. The song ends with the line, "At last, my heart's an open door, and my secret love’s no secret anymore" expressing satisfaction in knowing that he was able to speak his mind and share his heart with his desired love interest, ending with relief and happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Once I had a secret love
I used to have a love that I kept hidden from everyone.
That lived within the heart of me
This love was very personal and special to me.
All too soon my secret love
Unfortunately, my love couldn't stay hidden forever.
Became impatient to be free
It wanted to be expressed and shared with the world.
So I told a friendly star
I confided in a star that I felt comfortable with.
The way that dreamers often do
Like how dreamers often talk to stars about their deepest desires.
Just how wonderful you are
I expressed how amazing and special the person I loved was.
And why I am so in love with you
I also explained why I had such strong feelings for this person.
Now I shout it from the highest hills
Now, I am more open about my love and want to shout it to the world.
Even told the golden daffodils
I even told nature about my love - the flowers and plants around me.
At last my heart's an open door
Finally, my heart is fully open to expressing my love and emotions.
And my secret love's no secret anymore
My love is no longer a secret and is out in the open for anyone to see.
Lyrics © Tratore, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Paul Francis Webster, Sammy Fain
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sauquoit13456
On this day in 1954 {February 11th} Slim Whitman's "Secret Love" peaked at #2 {for 1 week} on Billboard's 'Most-Played Country and Western Records By Jockeys' chart, the week it was at #2, the #1 record for that week was "Slowly" by Webb Pierce...
The remainder of the Most-Played Records' Top 10 on February 11th, 1954:
At #3. "I Really Don't Want To Know" by Eddy Arnold
#4. "I Love You" by Jim Reeves and Ginny Wright
#5. "Let Me Be The One" by Hank Locklin
#6. "Bimbo" by Jim Reeves
#7. "You Better Not Do That" by Tommy Collins
#8. "Changing Partners" by Webb Pierce
#8. "There Stands The Glass" by Webb Pierce
#10. "Wake Up, Irene" by Hank Thompson
Between 1949 and 1981 the Tampa, Florida native had thirty nine charted records, eleven made the Top 10 with his two biggest hits both peaking at #2, the above "Secret Love" and "Indian Love Call" in October of 1952 ...
Slim Whitman, born Otis Dewey Whitman Jr., passed away at the age of 90 on June 19th, 2013...
May he R.I.P.
The Maiden In Black & Silver
Love this song so much, one of the best love songs ever! <3
sauquoit13456
On this day in 1954 {February 11th} Slim Whitman's "Secret Love" peaked at #2 {for 1 week} on Billboard's 'Most-Played Country and Western Records By Jockeys' chart, the week it was at #2, the #1 record for that week was "Slowly" by Webb Pierce...
The remainder of the Most-Played Records' Top 10 on February 11th, 1954:
At #3. "I Really Don't Want To Know" by Eddy Arnold
#4. "I Love You" by Jim Reeves and Ginny Wright
#5. "Let Me Be The One" by Hank Locklin
#6. "Bimbo" by Jim Reeves
#7. "You Better Not Do That" by Tommy Collins
#8. "Changing Partners" by Webb Pierce
#8. "There Stands The Glass" by Webb Pierce
#10. "Wake Up, Irene" by Hank Thompson
Between 1949 and 1981 the Tampa, Florida native had thirty nine charted records, eleven made the Top 10 with his two biggest hits both peaking at #2, the above "Secret Love" and "Indian Love Call" in October of 1952 ...
Slim Whitman, born Otis Dewey Whitman Jr., passed away at the age of 90 on June 19th, 2013...
May he R.I.P.
wildbunchk9
RIP Slim, a great singer.
Jewel Dotson
One of the top voices ever
Jim Southard
a great song, and a great singer released in the 1950,s along with a version by dorise day both were sucessfull hits
Leon Childs jr
In memory of Doris Day, who made this song No.1 for four weeks on the pop charts the same year.
Bo van der Helm
best song!!
Luc Jennes
RIP Mr Whitman
R Gearr
Voice is main attraction here.. very subtle accompaniment
stevies5
This is the real version. There was one released without the cowboy boots noise..