Born Michael Anthony Orlando Cassavitis to a Greek father and a Puerto Rican mother, he was raised in Manhattan's then-notorious Hell's Kitchen. His best friend was Freddie Prinze (who was of Puerto Rican and German descent).[citation needed]
Tony Orlando's musical career started with The Five Gents, a doo-wop group he formed. His first success came when he recorded the hit “Halfway To Paradise”. After becoming general manager at Columbia Records, he was tempted back to a recording career when he was asked to record a demo record of “Candida”. The label liked the demo so much that Tony's performance was released, under the band name “Dawn” (named after a record executive's daughter).
Joining Tony were Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson, and the trio scored a string of #1 hits with “Tie A Yellow Ribbon 'Round The Ole Oak Tree”, “Knock Three Times”, and “Candida”. With a successful recording career, Orlando then set his sights on television which resulted in his highly rated weekly variety series on CBS. Breaking new ground, it was television's first multi-ethnic variety show. Orlando (of Hispanic and Greek origins) and Hopkins and Wilson (African Americans) were an instant hit. The show, which ran for four seasons (from 1974 to 1976), welcomed the biggest names in show business each week as Tony's guests, including his boyhood idols, Jackie Gleason and Jerry Lewis.
Don't Let Go
Tony Orlando Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Come on, baby, it's time to rock,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
I'm so happy I got you here,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Keeps me grinnin' from ear to ear.
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Ah shucks, I wouldn't stop for a million bucks.
I love you so, Just hold me tight.
Don't let go!
Thunder, lightening, wind and rain,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Love is stormin' inside my brain,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
I'm so eager, I'm nearly dyin',
Don't let go, Don't let go.
You've been keepin' your lips from mine.
Oo-wee, This feelin's killin' me;
Ah shucks, I wouldn't stop for a million bucks.
I love you so, Just hold me tight.
Don't let go!
Hound dog barkin' up side the hill,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Love is draggin' him thru the mill,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
If it wasn't for havin' you,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
I'd be barkin' and howlin' too.
Oo-wee, This feelin's killin' me;
Ah shucks, I wouldn't stop for a million bucks.
I love you so, Just hold me tight.
Don't let go!
One day, baby, you'll quit me yet,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
I'll be cryin' and soakin' wet,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
One thing, baby, I'll never stand,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Your lips kissin' some other man.
Oo-wee, This feelin's killin' me;
Ah shucks, I wouldn't stop for a million bucks.
I love you so, Just hold me tight.
Don't let go!
Just hold me tight, Don't let go!
The song "Don't Let Go" by Tony Orlando is an upbeat and lively tune that displays the enthusiasm of a man who has found the love of his life. The lyrics contain several twists and turns that are symbolic of the excitement and danger that is often associated with falling in love. The song begins with the sound of a whistle indicating that it is 10 o'clock, followed by a plea for his lover to stay with him and rock the night away. He is grateful for her presence and the happiness that she brings him, and he can barely contain his joy. However, the thunder, lightning, wind, and rain that follow serve as a metaphor for the turbulent emotions that come with love. He is hopeful that the storm will calm down and his lover will finally succumb to his advances.
The lyrics also make reference to a hound dog barking up the hill, which is another metaphor for the trials that come with love. The singer suggests that he would be "barking and howling" too if it were not for the presence of his lover. He is grateful for her companionship and cannot imagine life without her. However, he is also aware of the possibility that she may leave him one day, and this thought pains him deeply. Nevertheless, he is determined to make the most of the time that they have together and begs her to never let him go.
Line by Line Meaning
Hear that whistle, it's ten o'clock.
It's time to start having fun and dancing.
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Stay close to me and keep dancing.
Come on, baby, it's time to rock,
Let's dance to the music.
I'm so happy I got you here,
I'm glad you're here with me, enjoying the music.
Keeps me grinnin' from ear to ear.
The happiness I feel brings a smile to my face.
Oo-wee, This feelin's killin' me;
I'm overwhelmed by the intense emotions I'm feeling.
Ah shucks, I wouldn't stop for a million bucks.
I wouldn't trade this moment for anything.
I love you so, Just hold me tight.
I love being close to you, please don't let go.
Thunder, lightening, wind and rain,
The storm outside is reflecting the intensity of my emotions.
Love is stormin' inside my brain,
I'm overwhelmed by my feelings of love for you.
I'm so eager, I'm nearly dyin',
I'm desperate to be close to you.
You've been keepin' your lips from mine.
I'm frustrated that you haven't kissed me yet.
Hound dog barkin' up side the hill,
The dog barking in the distance reminds me of the dangers of losing you.
Love is draggin' him thru the mill,
My love for you is so strong it's affecting everything around me.
If it wasn't for havin' you,
If I didn't have you here with me, I'd be lost.
I'd be barkin' and howlin' too.
I'd be just like the dog in the distance, howling in despair.
One day, baby, you'll quit me yet,
I'm worried you'll leave me one day.
I'll be cryin' and soakin' wet,
I'll be a mess if you do leave me.
One thing, baby, I'll never stand,
I won't be able to handle the thought of you with someone else.
Your lips kissin' some other man.
The idea of you being with someone else breaks my heart.
Just hold me tight, Don't let go!
Please stay with me and hold me close forever.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JESSE ALBERT STONE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@andreaaleonor
I REALLY LOVE THIS SONG!! 🤩🤩🤩🤩 it's perfect for my ears and makes me dance and slide with every note 🕺
@giggi65.
Che musica Stupenda!! ANNI 70' LA MIGLIORE DI OGNI EPOCA!! Grande Tony Orlando!! I giovani di oggi mi fanno ridere!! Cosa si sono persi!!...Tanta Roba!!
@MrDakarien
Mitico Tony,anni 70 indimenticabili…
@innocenteventiorbetello
Mr Orlando's voice was so outragiously sexy in this..