He was most famous for his rendition of Tip-toe Thru The Tulips With Me a No. 17 chart hit in 1968 that was delivered in his distinctive high falsetto. He became well known via numerous and highly rated appearances on television including Johnny Carson and Laugh-In. On December 17, 1969, 45 million viewers watched Tiny Tim get married on NBC TV via an appearance on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show program. He was widely known, but generally thought of as a novelty act, and was not taken very seriously, although his records displayed a wide and serious forensic knowledge of early American stage songs.
Growing up with the squeaky clean entertainment choices of the 1930's and 40's, Herbert preferred the romantic crooners of the late- 19th and early-20th centuries and cinematic singers like Bing Crosby and Rudy Valee were amongst his early favorites.
After stints in the Greenwich Village folkscene of the 1950's and 60's billed as Vern Castle, Larry Love, Darry Dover and Emmett Swink, Khaury eventually settled on the name Tiny Tim. He doffed white facial powder makeup, and utilized a ukulele and songs that only a true American musical archivist would know. Despite some amateur demo acetates, his first professional recordings were with producer Richard Perry for the Blue Cat in 1966. Refusing to be deterred despite many years of setbacks in the notoriously tough New York show biz world, Tiny Tim earned a regular gig at a hip club called The Scene, and was soon signed by Mo Ostin to Warner Brothers subsidiary Reprise, then also the home of Frank Sinatra, and his daughter Nancy.
His 1970's label VicTim failed as a business venture, and he once told an interviewer that his next label Toilet Records was so-named "because that's where my career went." By 1978, the public's taste had soured on his act and Johnny Carson refused to book Tiny Tim anymore. However bleak the financial picture appeared, Tiny Tim refused to relent whatever spotlite remained for him, and toured constantly. through the 80's and 90's appearing at punk rock and gay nightclubs, making numerous solo recordings and some with the Texas-based polka band Brave Combo.
He died on November 30, 1996, after a heart attack while performing onstage at a benefit for the Woman's Club of Minneapolis. He was buried with his ukulele.
Stairway To Heaven
Tiny Tim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And she's buying a stairway to heaven
And when she gets there she knows if the stores are closed
With a word she can get what she came for
[Chorus]
And she's buying a stairway to heaven
And you know sometimes words have two meanings
In the tree by the brook there's a songbird who sings
Sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiven
[Chorus]
There's a feeling I get when I look to the west
And my spirit is crying for leaving
In my thoughts I have seen rings of smoke through the trees
And the voices of those who stand looking
[Chorus]
And it's whispered that soon, if we all call the tune
Then the piper will lead us to reason
And a new day will dawn for those who stand long
And the forest will echo with laughter
And it makes me wonder
If there's a bustle in your hedgerow
Don't be alarmed now
It's just a spring clean for the may queen
Yes there are two paths you can go by
But in the long run
There's still time to change the road you're on
Your head is humming and it won't go because you don't know
The piper's calling you to join him
Dear lady can't you hear the wind blow and did you know
Your stairway lies on the whispering wind
And as we wind on down the road
Our shadows taller than our souls
There walks a lady we all know
Who shines white light and wants to show
How everything still turns to gold
And if you listen very hard
The tune will come to you at last
When all are one and one is all
To be a rock and not to roll
[Chorus]
There's a lady who's sure all that glitters is gold
And she's buying a stairway to heaven
And when she gets there she knows if the stores are closed
With a word she can get what she came for
[Chorus]
The song Stairway to Heaven by Tiny Tim is a classic rock song with hauntingly beautiful lyrics. The song begins with the description of a lady who believes that everything that glitters is gold, and she is buying a stairway to heaven. It is a metaphor for the woman's desire to achieve the ultimate bliss and salvation. The lyricist then speaks about the signs found on the wall, which are often misinterpreted if one does not look closely enough.
Further, the song describes the feeling that one gets when they look towards the west and feel an urge to leave. The imagery of smoke rings and the voices of those looking give a poetic touch to the lyrics. The chorus of the song repeats the line that the lady is buying a stairway to heaven, emphasizing her quest for the ultimate spiritual fulfillment. The lyrics then describe a piper who will lead people to reason, and a new day will dawn for those who stand long.
The song concludes with the singer inviting the listener to join him as they wind down the road. The lyrics suggest that the journey towards spiritual enlightenment is long and can be frustrating, but there is still time to change the path one is on. Lastly, the song urges the listener to be a rock and not to roll, emphasizing the importance of standing firm on one's path to spiritual fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a lady who's sure all that glitters is gold
The lady in question is overly optimistic about the value of material things.
And she's buying a stairway to heaven
She is on a spiritual quest to reach heaven and thinks she can buy her way there.
And when she gets there she knows if the stores are closed, with a word she can get what she came for
She believes she can use her status and privilege to get what she wants, even in the afterlife.
[Chorus]
And she's buying a stairway to heaven
Repeats the same idea, emphasizing her belief that she can attain spiritual fulfillment through material means.
There's a sign on the wall but she wants to be sure
The lady sees signs of the spiritual path but wants more tangible proof before she commits.
And you know sometimes words have two meanings
The lady is aware that spiritual messages can be open to interpretation and is looking for a clear direction.
In the tree by the brook there's a songbird who sings
Nature offers a source of spiritual inspiration.
Sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiven
Just because something seems like a good idea doesn't mean it is.
[Chorus]
And she's buying a stairway to heaven
Repeats the same idea, emphasizing her belief that she can attain spiritual fulfillment through material means.
There's a feeling I get when I look to the west
The singer experiences a deep emotional response to natural beauty and wonders about the spiritual significance.
And my spirit is crying for leaving
The singer senses that there is a greater spiritual purpose beyond this world.
In my thoughts I have seen rings of smoke through the trees
The singer has had spiritual visions that have led him to question the meaning of life.
And the voices of those who stand looking
He hears the voices of those who have gone before him, who may have found answers to the same questions.
[Chorus]
And she's buying a stairway to heaven
Repeats the same idea, emphasizing her belief that she can attain spiritual fulfillment through material means.
And it's whispered that soon, if we all call the tune
There is a belief that if enough people come together and focus their energy, they can create a better world.
Then the piper will lead us to reason
The song suggests that a spiritual leader will emerge to guide humanity towards a shared purpose.
And a new day will dawn for those who stand long
Those who have waited patiently for spiritual fulfillment will finally find it.
And the forest will echo with laughter
Symbolizes a peaceful, joyous world where nature and humanity are in harmony.
And it makes me wonder
The singer is reflecting on the contradictions and mysteries of life.
If there's a bustle in your hedgerow
The singer is asking if the listener has noticed any unusual or unexplained activity in their life.
Don't be alarmed now
He is reassuring them that there is nothing to fear from the mysteries of life.
It's just a spring clean for the may queen
'May Queen' refers to a pagan ritual and represents a time of renewal and rebirth.
Yes there are two paths you can go by
The song suggests that each person has a choice between two paths, the material and the spiritual.
But in the long run, there's still time to change the road you're on
The song encourages listeners to make choices aligned with their spiritual values since it's still possible to change their path.
Your head is humming and it won't go because you don't know
The singer is describing a state of confusion or disorientation caused by spiritual questions without answers.
The piper's calling you to join him
The singer is referring to a spiritual leader who is calling out to listeners to join him on a spiritual journey.
Dear lady, can't you hear the wind blow and did you know
The singer urges the lady to tune in to the spiritual world around her to hear the call to action.
Your stairway lies on the whispering wind
The song suggests that spiritual enlightenment can be found through listening to the natural world.
And as we wind on down the road
The song refers to the journey of life, which twists and turns like a road.
Our shadows taller than our soul
The singer is suggesting that sometimes our material worries loom larger than our spiritual values.
There walks a lady we all know
The lady in question represents humanity in general, always striving for spiritual fulfillment.
Who shines white light and wants to show
The love and compassion that the lady embodies can guide others towards spiritual fulfillment.
How everything still turns to gold
The song suggests that everything - even the material world - is infused with spiritual energy and value.
And if you listen very hard
The song emphasizes that spiritual revelation cannot be found unless one listens deeply and intently.
The tune will come to you at last
The spiritual revelation or enlightenment being sought will eventually become clear and understood.
When all are one and one is all
The song envisions a utopian world where humanity is in harmony and spiritual fulfillment is shared by all.
To be a rock and not to roll
The song suggests that finding spiritual fulfillment requires patience, stability, and persistence.
[Chorus]
And she's buying a stairway to heaven
Repeats the same idea, emphasizing her belief that she can attain spiritual fulfillment through material means.
[Chorus]
Repeats the same idea, emphasizing the singer's belief that spiritual fulfillment cannot be bought or easily achieved.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jimmy Page, Robert Plant
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brandon Petroski
This is actually catchy as hell. Shoutout to Joe Bob for giving Tiny Tim some respect.
decemberschild1217
Really dig Tim's subtle satirical covers.... a far out misunderstood talented cat....
Diane MacIntyre
Tiny Tim and Brave Combo are jazztastic! I love this cover. I listen to it a lot
Christopher Crouch
I love this record and am disappointed that it isn't on Spotify. The cover of Hey Jude is similarly great. I have such a profound memory of the first time I saw Brave Combo as a kid--a self-described "Nuclear Polka" band from Denton, playing on the great lawn of the local university. My mind was blown and I don't think I have ever danced so hard in my life. When I heard that they were doing a record with the eccentric Tiny Tim, I could hardly wait.
Mark LaPolla
A master lesson on tempo and dynamics. Truly wonderful.
Charlie Bubbles
Oh Tiny, you did such a great job on this classic and your voice is perfect!
Gaturo
Isn't tiny tim just the best!!, i love him!!!
Steve Hoog
He was so much better by this point, in his 70s, than when he first hit, in hiis 40s. He learned how to sing, but also how to be a showman while staying true to music.
Bravo, and RIP, Herbert!
WarpedPassages
Actually born in 1923 ...
Neva Nyx
he died at 64, lol.