Tears On My Pillow
The Johnny Otis Quintette with Little Esther & The Robins Lyrics


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Listen here doll
Be a good girl
I'ma tell you somethin' I know about the world
It's the same thing I've been tryin' to tell you
Don't make me run and run
Run from your blues
Don't make me close my heart on all your bad news
Use your cryin' eyes wisely and don't push me into a corner

Crazy in the mornin', afraid of the night
Stories always changin'
Somethin' ain't right
Don't know if its real or fake
I can't trust the weight of your tears on my tuxedo
Tears on my tuxedo
Tears on my tuxedo
Either you're truly scared
Or you've come prepared with your tears on my tuxedo

You got me like I'm Sam Spade try to figure you out
Are you a jewel across the falcon or a future empty house
I must rely on my instincts cause I can't trust your words
Or your tears anymore
Cause just when we're about to get down to the truth
You start cryin' bout how life is so cruel to you
And there's nowhere to go but try and console
It ain't workin' no more
It ain't workin' no more

Crazy in the mornin', afraid of the night
Stories always changin'
Somethin' ain't right
Don't know if it's real or fake
I can't take the weight of your tears on my tuxedo
Tears on my tuxedo
Tears on my tuxedo
Either you're truly scared
Or you've come prepared with your tears on my tuxedo
Tears on my tuxedo
Tears on my tuxedo
Either you're truly scared
Or you've come prepared with your tears on my tuxedo
Tears on my tuxedo

Oh
Tears on my tuxedo
Ooh

I don't know when it's real
I don't know how to feel
You got me right where you want me
Breakin' all of my own rules
So listen here doll
Don't turn us into fools
I know I'm the one that put most of those tears on to you
And there's no way to change it
But I'm doin' the best that I can do
I just keep fallin' for you

Crazy in the mornin', afraid of the night
Stories always changin'
Somethin' ain't right
Don't know if it's real or fake
I can't trust the pain of your tears on my tuxedo
Tears on my tuxedo
Tears on my tuxedo
Either you're truly scared
Or you've come prepared with your tears
Oh your tears
Oh your tears
Oh your tears on my tuxedo
Oh
Tears on my tuxedo
Oh my tuxedo

Cry all you want to babe




You can cry all you want to babe
Cry all you want to babe

Overall Meaning

The song "Tears on My Pillow" is a love ballad that explores the fragility of the relationship between the singer and his lover. The lyrics are filled with imagery that depicts the emotions of both the singer and the lover, creating a vivid picture of their relationship. The singer warns his lover not to push him into a corner with her tears, telling her to use her crying eyes wisely. He expresses his confusion towards her changing stories and the weight of her tears on his tuxedo, creating an image of the emotional burden he has been carrying. While he feels like he is being played by her, he cannot help but fall for her time and time again. Hence, the lyrics suggest how the singer’s spirit – overwhelmed by the tears shed by his lady – remains fragile, delicate and confused.


The song's lyrics, despite talking about tears on the pillow or tuxedo, manages to give a much deeper message about the complexities of human emotions and the intricacies of love.


Line by Line Meaning

Listen here doll
Pay attention to me


Be a good girl
Cooperate with me


I'ma tell you somethin' I know about the world
I have knowledge to share


It's the same thing I've been tryin' to tell you
I have repeated this information to you before


Don't make me run and run
Don't make me avoid you


Run from your blues
Avoid your problems


Don't make me close my heart on all your bad news
Don't make me shut down emotionally because of your negative information


Use your cryin' eyes wisely and don't push me into a corner
Don't use your tears to manipulate me and don't back me into a corner


Crazy in the mornin', afraid of the night
Confused and unpredictable


Stories always changin'
Inconsistent with your words


Somethin' ain't right
Something seems off or suspicious


Don't know if its real or fake
I can't determine the truth


I can't trust the weight of your tears on my tuxedo
I can't trust the sincerity of your tears


Either you're truly scared
You genuinely feel fear


Or you've come prepared with your tears on my tuxedo
You're using your tears as a strategy


You got me like I'm Sam Spade try to figure you out
I'm struggling to understand you


Are you a jewel across the falcon or a future empty house
Are you valuable or worthless?


I must rely on my instincts cause I can't trust your words
I have to trust my gut feeling because I can't rely on what you say


Or your tears anymore
Or the genuineness of your tears


Cause just when we're about to get down to the truth
Just when we're close to the truth


You start cryin' bout how life is so cruel to you
You begin to express sadness


And there's nowhere to go but try and console
The only option is to comfort you


It ain't workin' no more
This approach is no longer effective


I don't know when it's real
I can't distinguish between truth and falsehood


I don't know how to feel
I'm confused about my emotions


You got me right where you want me
You have control over me


Breakin' all of my own rules
Going against my own principles


Don't turn us into fools
Don't make us look foolish


I know I'm the one that put most of those tears on to you
I caused most of your sadness


And there's no way to change it
I can't undo what I did


But I'm doin' the best that I can do
I'm trying my hardest


I just keep fallin' for you
I keep becoming more attracted to you


Cry all you want to babe
You can express your emotions




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: JAMES D. GASS, ROBIN A. THICKE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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