Tell Me Why
The Four Aces (Vocals) Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Tell me why, though I try to forget
Tell me why, why I think of you yet
I know I'll never be free
What has happened to me?

Tell me why, when we danced until three
Tell me why, why my heart couldn't see
I never dreamed of romance

Never gave it a chance

When I think of how you looked that day
In your gown of silk and lace
Should have known the day you came my way
That this was the time and the place

Tell me why I keep fooling my heart
When I know it was love from the start
Why don't we give it a try?
If you know, tell me why

Tell me why I keep fooling my heart
When I know it was love from the start
Why don't we give it a try?
If you know, tell me why

Tell me.
Tell me why

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Tell Me Why" by The Four Aces (Vocals) convey a sense of perplexity and confusion that arises from unrequited love. The singer asks the object of their affection to explain why they still think about them despite trying hard to forget. This suggests a level of emotional attachment that has yet to be resolved. The lyrics also reveal a hesitation towards pursuing romance, and an underlying fear of rejection.

The lyrics paint a picture of a past encounter where the singer and their love interest danced until three, but the singer did not believe that they shared a romantic connection at the time. The singer reflects on how they looked that particular day, and how they missed the opportunity to express their feelings. This regret and doubt are evident in lines such as "Should have known the day you came my way, that this was the time and the place" and "Never dreamed of romance, never gave it a chance".

Line by Line Meaning

Tell me why, though I try to forget
Why is it that no matter how much I try, I can't forget about you?

Tell me why, why I think of you yet
Why do I still think about you, even after everything we've been through?

I know I'll never be free
I am aware that I can never truly be free from the memories and feelings I have for you.

What has happened to me?
I am confused and unsure about how I ended up feeling this way.

Tell me why, when we danced until three
Why did my heart not see the signs of love when we danced until three in the morning?

Tell me why, why my heart couldn't see
Why was my heart blind to the fact that I had fallen in love with you?

I never dreamed of romance
I never expected to fall in love with anyone before.

Never gave it a chance
I never allowed myself to experience love, until I met you.

When I think of how you looked that day
Whenever I reminisce about that day, I can't help but think about how beautiful you looked in your silk and lace gown.

Should have known the day you came my way
I should have known the moment I met you that you were the one for me.

That this was the time and the place
I should have realized that the circumstances of our meeting were more than coincidence and that we were meant to be together.

Tell me why I keep fooling my heart
Why do I continue to deceive myself and pretend that I don't have feelings for you?

When I know it was love from the start
Deep down, I know that I fell in love with you from the very beginning.

Why don't we give it a try?
Why don't we take a chance and try to make this work?

If you know, tell me why
If you have an explanation or a reason why we shouldn't be together, please tell me.

Tell me.
Please help me understand my feelings, and what I should do about them.

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: AL ALBERTS, MARTY GOLD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

No Related Genres

More Genres

No Artists Found

More Artists Load All

No Albums Found

More Albums Load All

No Tracks Found

01Love Is A Many Splendored Thing

02Three Coins In The Fountain

03(It's No) Sin

04Tell Me Why

The Four Aces (Vocals)

05Mister Sandman

06Melody Of Love

07Perfidia

08Stranger In Paradise

09Heart And Soul

10A Woman In Love

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Comments from YouTube:

@d.od.3463

51w↑2

A great, great singing group. I was 9 years old at the time of this recording, and still, I loved to listen to their music. Of course, my Mom and Dad were great fans. We lived in Pennsylvania to where the Four Aces were from! Great music! I am 80 years old now, and my favorite song of theirs was "Love is a many splendored Thing"

@Pineapple9

12y↑5

In 1951 I was 6 years old. My parents and my older brothers were responsible for introducing this music to me and I will be forever grateful. I have been an entertainer in life and enjoyed very much doing songs by the Four Aces, Four Lads and solo artists. The VietNam War took a lot out of me and I haven't been the same since, but the memories that this music brings back to me is absolutely priceless.

@francisalanwormald6328

8y↑13

1951 I 13 & my 1st dance in cafeteria with my Dad as "DJ"..But I could sing along...4 Aces fan all my life... now at 79 yrs...they still thrill me.. as they did me & my classmates all thru high school....

@francisalanwormald6328

I 2nd my original laudatory sentiment...DISCOVER THE "ACES"!!!!

@rosemaryaloisio7125

7y↑5

Finally met someone older than me. <---78 yrs old. I too, always loved the 4 aces.

@jp3923

7y↑5

I enjoyed your comment immensely. Hope you are still with us. I am 79 also and have such great appreciation of the Four Aces and their music.

@joebiddy3699

Great song--Finally met 2 people older than me - 75

@rhynz0410

Francis Alan Wormald y

1 More Replies...

@vocalist898

12y↑2

What a lot of memories,In 1951 I was driving for Greyhound in Detroit,Michigan and when we were waiting to go out on a run we would go across the street from the garage to a resturant drink coffee and play this record.

@jeffryhammel3035

Just a cool story... thanks!

@bobkern6509

2y↑1

Wonderful to step back in time.. high school memories

@opaulamorgan4265

3y↑1

Nothing like this today! The Four Aces with Al Alberts - so many beautiful songs beginning in the early 1950's, I remember them all, and all the words.

@HandwhistlerBen

14y↑3

The Four Aces were a superb one of a kind quartet who could be recognized by listenining to the tight harmonies and Al's golden voice. You will never be forgotten Al. RIP

@mannionten

8y↑26

I was 11years old when this song came out (1951)and I still think it's wonderful.

@ronaldferrari3709

robin mack Bill HALEY & the comets

@ronaldferrari3709

Bill Haley & the Comets Bill Haley

@ronaldferrari3709

BILL HALEY

@berniemgriff

5y↑1

The seniors at my high school used to stand around the jukebox and sing along with the 4 Aces at our dances after the football or basketball games and they try and sound like the 4 Aces. This was 1951.

@dtamoria

10y↑1

I was 16years old and the Music & Movies were just great. Thanks for the memories.

@kali911doll9

1y↑1

absolutely love this song!! memories of my grandpa 🤍

@SrArkie

9y↑23

Among the best of the 50's and all the wonderful talented entertainers. What a great time in our history.

@vilmathomas5158

8y↑1

I was a kneeheight of a grasshopper when I first heard this...and still loving it...thank you for sharing this

@fioredecor222

8y↑30

A masterpiece from the golden age of American music.

@jeffryhammel3035

This is what my wife and I danced thru the Century all the time. Great vocals and lyrics.

@MrRodBelt

12y↑4

I can't believe I was only 6 years old when this became popular, yet I love them already.

@petercowdroy9348

4y↑1

I was woken last night by this song going round in my head. I loved it then and I love it now. Peter.

@edlonas2310

12y↑1

I was a sophmore in high school in 1951 and how well I remember the music of the Four Aces. Those were good and happy days.

@ronaldwolf2599

ED Lonas;
That was when America was great!

@cynthia6637

11y↑8

Great Song.. I alway loved this.. "Tell Me Why" They say... There is always that Special Someone..))

@dellaprevele2972

12y↑1

Ah, you never think you too will be old one day and remember songs that take you back to youth and all the things ahead of you. Now we listen and think back on all that we had...and smile...

@bluegardenia29

9y↑42

This is when music was real music. Nothing from today compares to these groups and songs...so many memories.

@billjoycebu1481

5y↑1

AMEN TO THAT!!!!!!

@axrod19

4y↑1

I think your position is a little closed, there are plenty of groups making music like this for new generations, I can think of an example of modern music with vintage vibe that you may like :) art never stops to be great and beautiful

@gary1dennison

10y↑6

I think of Liberty High School, Liberty, Texas in the 50's and of Judy Franklin, who was a very beautiful woman. I was very blessed to have her as a great friend although we never dated. It was great to have her to share things with -- from songs to friends to things that happened. She went to SMU in Dallas and I went to the University of Texas in Austin but we both ended up in Dallas. She died in 2001 at age 61. We both lived in Dallas. I miss you Judy.

@davidbarnett9312

11y↑3

The Four Aces! Absolutely fabulous!

@waynemiller2881

4y↑1

My very favorite singing group, I sang along with every song they did!! I still do.

@rosenetangie

6y↑1

hardly can we find bands like this nowadays. but i do like their music .

@quantumleap359

7y↑1

Excellent! What a great song! I remember hearing this one on the radio when I was a child - thought it was great then, still do! Thanks for posting.

@pretzgolf1

14y↑1

I enjoyed all the songs from this group for a long time.

@markherron1407

2y↑1

The Lord bless you and keep you the Lord make His face 🤣 to shine upon you and be gracious to you the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you PEACE ☮️🕊️!Go HUG someone today IF they're been vaccinated and Happy Birthday to Al Albert's! Blessings and Hugs 💖💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕!

@MegaPivie

9y↑24

I remember when this great song by the 4 Aces came out in 1951. It's still one of my favorites.

@edlonas2310

11y↑1

Sounds like you have a good taste in music. being 78, and haveing been a teenager in the fifties, I surely remember thee Four Aces. Great group.

@lilianbarlow7699

5y↑1

takes me back to my youth when music was real

@jimpratt5072

8y↑2

out of the army one year . loved these guys. all the best music from the 50's

@jp3923

I agree.

@quinceykid

10y↑3

AH, High School Friday Night dances and this song being played or sung.....Great memories of my teenage years.......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@richardrussette2635

9y↑1

David I know what you are referring to. those were great years

@mariclairecano6228

Richard Russette moveis

@MsDusty3

10y

These songs bring back so many happy memories. My late husband and I played this music all the time. I miss the music and my husband!

@jerseyguy242

12y↑1

Al Alberts is another great talent who graduated from South Philadelphia High School. That one school gave the world many great stars.

@janholly3961

7y↑1

FANTASTIC Four Aces !!!!

@barbaraporter1902

8y↑2

these boys were fabulous ,love all their songs ,and glad to hear some young one's like it too very encouraging

@djburgy

5y↑1

I love these old songs!

@Imayorkiemom

12y

A couple years older than you but I know what you mean, it was my grandparents that introduced me to music in the late 40's then came the 50s andearly 60s, for me they have never ended. VietNam? A very late but sincere thanks to you and God bless all the others!

@rubewaddell1704

3y↑1

Australia's 108th number one hit along with a version by Eddie Fisher.

@LuisRuizHalo

9y↑19

16 years old and i like this music

@mannionten

8y↑4

+LuisRuizHalo How nice to know that a youngster likes this kind of music.

@demon1030able

You have excellent taste my dear!!

@deecee4644

6y↑1

I grew up with all kinds of music in my house. My dad listened to Johnny Cash and Pink Floyd. He's 80 now and listens to Metallica and ManoWar along with his opera and bluegrass music. And I am right there with him. Music isn't a generational thing. It's a soul thing. It's what's in our hearts.

@Lowmandavis

woah, 3 years ago- so we're the same age lol and same, but 19 cus 3 years later

@thisismelekk

49w

same :)

@cathywhite1729

7y↑2

"So very cool and comforting, many wonderful mems, thank you"!!! 😎😎😎💖💖💕

@philipdouglas5340

4y↑1

They are simply the best!

@lleugerament

11y

Tengo 71 años. Empecé a escucharlos a través de la radio que había en el taller en que trabajaba, puesto que yo no podía disponer de radio en casa. Y solicitaba sus discos a través de un programa de radio. Qué nostalgia! Siempre cuando he podido les he escuchado. Ahora, y gracias a internet, hace unos siete u ocho años que han entrado con más fuerza que nunca en mi vida musical. Me emocionan sus canciones...

@Dlanorepmart

13y↑1

I remember this song being a top hit. I couldn't remember the exact year though. I was 11 in 1951.

@paulostroff99

14y↑1

Great hit of a great quartet. TY

@SHIRPET1935

10y↑1

Ah!! The memories of my teenage years......

@generationll

14y↑1

The first version I had of this was by The Four Lads in 1993 ad nothing will change that.There are alot of artist who do others song.The Marcels did it with Blue Moon when Tommy Dorsey did it first.Glenn MIller did Moonlights Cocktails which The Ames Brothers did in the 50s.

@ChristopherScottDixon

8y↑2

Great song, superbly delivered!

@cathywhite1729

7y↑1

"My mom would sing in the kitchen, how I learned the music she loved, even went to the history of All Jolson, and Glenn Miller", she loved the Beatles",!!!! 😎😎😎👼👼👼😉😉

@ruthannbrafford9710

10y

I remember seeing them at Palisades, NJ in the 50's. There were great. My Mom always listen to their music.

@Corrie121

15y↑2

I don't think this is the original version, but I tell you it is a great one. Thank you for sharing.

@charliehowell7454

8y↑2

robin mack; I was 11 in '51 also, and I too still think it's wonderful.

@DrGolf4

This brings me back 1950s something.I was in love and this was one of our songs......"

@NEWTON8770

COOL GREAT MEMORIES OF THE GOOD OLD DAYS.THANKS FOR SHARING

@donnelsky50

8y↑4

my fav line "tell me why, i keep fooling my heart, when i know, it was love from the start"

@donnaheitkoetter6316

9y↑4

Sure brings back some lovely memories.

@MAGNUM05

8y↑4

Great Song!

@patricioojeda8138

1y↑1

La mejor música de todos los tiempos....

@haroldelkins8829

9y↑12

in my time the best of all quartets

@DERedhead65

14y↑4

thank you Mike, again... My mom loved the Four Aces and EVERY Sunday when I was a kid, I remember watching Al Alberts showcase and Larry Ferrari hour, consecutively... nice memories... isn't Al from Philadelphia or New Jersey? ♪≈♫≈♥≈♪≈♫≈ (and thanks for the "use" of your lovely musical notes/hearts, dear...) Becky (:

@cathywhite1729

7y↑2

"My mom was so very cool, she put up with my original Woodstock albulm that I played very loud"!!!! 😎😎😎, and she understood"!!!! 🐨🐨✨✨✨💖💖💖

@rojoknight

GOD I'm that old? I guess so I was eleven when they sang that song. Today I'm a great grandfather seven times with a couple of them in school.

@ingridisabela5391

6y↑1

Alguém em 2018??
Fala serioo que musicaaa lindaaa

@malanga424

14y

I saw Four Aces Tell me why in Billboar Char 1952 # 13

@tinman034

15y

You are correct. This is not the original recording, maybe a re-record from the 70's..Still awesome!

@dodongd1822

10y

yes i can not forget this song .during my younger days when our J P fireworks combo entered a singting contest in our baranggay we used to this piece as our entry.

@vilmathomas5158

8y↑1

sing on...4aces...I can have your heavenly voices..anytime of day

@chesterst10

14y↑1

@gottaride58 I was 11 when I began to discover music. I discovered girls about the same time. Got my first kiss while this song was playing on the radio. The girls name was Earline and we were in her parents kitchen washing dishes while all our parents were visiting in the living room. Ah memories.

@eddieavalon

Those Golden Years, high school Friday night dances, petting in the car later.

@dodongd1822

10y↑1

every time i hear this song as if i am 30years younger

@eisenjeisen6262

another great song

@jeanpartridge9945

8y↑3

still the best today2016

@thisismelekk

49w

Bayılıyorum bu şarkıya

@davidsanders1991

I was so young then. Just a child.

@34bsanders

11y

Indeed it was a 1952 song. The Aces had a two sided hit with Garden in The Rain on the Flip Side of Tell Me Why.

@luiseliseodominguez9334

toda esta música de mis recuerdos

@chazlenz1

12y

how beautiful :)

@cathywhite1729

"I have originals from Les Paul and Mary Ford, "How high the moon" great guitar and voice"!!! 😎😎😎🎶🎼🎶🎼

@northjean1

10y

O my teenager years four good looking guys great-stuff

@emilianobombrini7257

6y↑1

to be honest I like this song a lot but playing it at 1.25x speed makes me like it even more...just a little bit more upbeat! :)

@jamesbeer

Sounds like a remake right here!

@Corrie121

15y

sessnazx. Thank you for sending this. Much appreciated. Regards, Corrie.

@dwellguy

11y

Just came across this post - can't speak for Mr. Polito, but there are some of us, admittedly anal, who like including the peak position info in cataloging our songs. My information tallies with yours, but all of the major sources I use for research identify it as a 1952 song, which doesn't make sense - oh, well. In any event, I appreciate your music knowledge, and for posting this song and your info - thanks much!

@mahonedb1

13y

@mrlouie0923 Louis- I too ache from the loss of uncle al. my grandfather is dave mahoney. i miss the days of our youth when all we cared about was fishing on the wildwood jetties and listening to wonderful music. David

@Murdog83

15y

Do you have their version of Mr Sandman?I just watched Back to the Future and I really like their version.

@raymondprice2693

4y↑2

This was not their best recording of this song
. There was a later vision that was their best.

@nomiclas

11y

holy shit your old!great story I can imagine the rush you had.

@chesterst10

15y

Depends on a persons personal taste I guess. I have Fisher's version, but I prefer the Four Aces. I am sure there are people out there that prefer Bobby Vinton's 1964 redition or Elvis or The Crew Cuts or etc. etc.

@irenekent4335

another happy one from times ago

@generationll

15y

I like the 4 Lads version better

@ronaldwolf2599

4 Lads never recorded "Tell Me Why"

@francisalanwormald6328

9y↑2

AGE 14 !st Close dance..Itried to sing along!!!!

@ol49rrrrr

14y

RIP Al Alberts

@brucew44guns

11y

You lucky man you!!

@ronic1star

15y

perfect

@chesterst10

15y

Born Al Albertini in Chester, Pennsylvania on August 10, 1922. According to info found on Wikipedia. I have to assume he celebrated his 87th birthday yesterday as the artical indicates he is still living.

@chesterst10

13y↑1

@stafoonja Tell Me Why first hit the charts on September 7, 1951 staying on the chart for 24 weeks. It reached # 2 during that time. Have not found the exact week it hit # 2 nor how many weeks, if more than one, it stayed at that position. A previous poster also wanted to argue the point, but where on earth does it really matter whether it hit # 2 in late 51 or early 52. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the music, or as the kids today would say "Chill Dude".