In 1970, Tony Orlando was a retired cover singer. He had two Top 40 hits in 1961 and another in the later half of the decade as the lead singer for the studio group Wind, but he had not had any further success for the rest of the decade. He stopped singing entirely, publishing music for Columbia Records instead.
Orlando discovered a song, "Candida," which he decided to pass on recording. After an insistence that he dub his voice over the male vocals in the original track, he had the single released on Bell Records as performed by "Dawn", so if the record did not succeed, he would not be known as the lead vocalist. The background singers were Sharon Greane, Jay Siegel, and Toni Wine, who co-wrote the song. After single hit #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, Orlando decided to change career tracks.
While "Candida" climbed the record charts, Orlando discovered that there were six touring groups that called themselves "Dawn". As he assembled his new group, the name "Dawn featuring Tony Orlando" was chosen to be their new name.
He chose singers Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson to sing with him after he recorded "Knock Three Times" which hit #1 in early 1971. The group waited until 1973 for their next #1 single, "Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Ole Oak Tree." In terms of sales, this single was the most successful in the group's career.
The group's next single,"Say Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose" (from their concept album Dawn's New Ragtime Follies) went to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. CBS gave the group a television variety show in the summer of 1974, after The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour ended its run. The show was in the same vein as its predecessor, and became a Top 20 hit. It ran until December 1976.
With a new name ("Tony Orlando and Dawn") and a new record label (Elektra), the group continued their string of hit singles during the show's run hitting the Top 10 on the Hot 100 and/or Adult Contemporary Charts including "He Don't Love You (Like I Love You)" (a reworking of Jerry Butler's "He Will Break Your Heart") which went to #1. A remake of the Sam Cooke song "Cupid", was the group's last Top 40 single on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976. "Sing" reached #7 on the Adult Contemporary Chart in 1977 and was the last Tony Orlando & Dawn single until 1991's "With Ev'ry Yellow Ribbon (That's Why We Tie 'Em)".
Orlando is still a popular appearance performer. Hopkins made a very successful acting career for herself in series like "Gimme a Break", "Family Matters", and "Half and Half". A DVD compilation from the variety series was released in 2005 along with the group's catalog of albums on CD. Tony Orlando & Dawn released "A Christmas Reunion" that same year.
Tie A Yellow Ribbon `Round The Old Oak Tree
Tony Orlando & Dawn Lyrics
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Now I've got to know what is and isn't mine
If you received my letter telling you I'd soon be free
Then you'll know just what to do
If you still want me, if you still want me
Whoa, tie a yellow ribbon 'round the ole oak tree
It's been three long years, do you still want me?
I'll stay on the bus, forget about us, put the blame on me
If I don't see a yellow ribbon 'round the ole oak tree
Bus driver, please look for me
'Cause I couldn't bear to see what I might see
I'm really still in prison and my love, she holds the key
A simple yellow ribbon's what I need to set me free
And I wrote and told her please
Whoa, tie a yellow ribbon 'round the ole oak tree
It's been three long years, do you still want me?
If I don't see a ribbon round the ole oak tree
I'll stay on the bus, forget about us, put the blame on me
If I don't see a yellow ribbon 'round the ole oak tree
Now the whole damned bus is cheerin'
And I can't believe I see
A hundred yellow ribbons round the ole oak tree
I'm comin' home
Tie a ribbon 'round the ole oak tree
Tie a ribbon 'round the ole oak tree
Tie a ribbon 'round the ole oak tree
Tie a ribbon 'round the ole oak tree
This song by Tony Orlando and Dawn is a heartwarming tale of a former convict who is returning home after serving time in prison. He is unsure if his lover still wants to be with him after his long absence, so he writes to her and asks her to tie a yellow ribbon around the old oak tree, a sign that she wants him to return. The song is filled with emotions of anxiousness, uncertainty, and hope, as the singer awaits a sign that will determine his future.
The lyrics are expertly crafted to convey a story about the power of love, forgiveness, and second chances. The singer is coming home after spending time in prison, and he is eager to know if his lover still wants him. He makes a plea to her through his letter, asking her to tie a yellow ribbon around the old oak tree. If he sees the ribbon, he will know that she still loves him and wants him back. However, if there is no ribbon, he will leave and never come back.
The song portrays a sense of hope and redemption, as the singer sees the yellow ribbons tied around the old oak tree, indicating his lover's willingness to accept him. The song shows how forgiveness and second chances can change lives, and how love can conquer all. It's a timeless classic that has touched many hearts over the decades.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm comin' home, I've done my time
After being away for a long time, I am finally ready to return home.
Now I've got to know what is and isn't mine
I need to know what has changed during my absence.
If you received my letter telling you I'd soon be free
I sent a letter to let you know that I will be coming home soon.
Then you'll know just what to do
You will know how to welcome me home.
If you still want me, if you still want me
I hope that you still love me and want me in your life.
Whoa, tie a yellow ribbon 'round the ole oak tree
If you want me to come home, tie a yellow ribbon around the tree as a signal.
It's been three long years, do you still want me?
I wonder if you still have feelings for me after all this time.
If I don't see a ribbon round the ole oak tree
If the ribbon is not there, I will assume that you no longer want me around.
I'll stay on the bus, forget about us, put the blame on me
If there is no ribbon, I will leave and blame myself for the relationship ending.
Bus driver, please look for me
I need help finding the ribbon and getting home.
'Cause I couldn't bear to see what I might see
I am afraid that I will be heartbroken if there is no ribbon.
I'm really still in prison and my love, she holds the key
I am still trapped by my feelings for you and only you can set me free.
A simple yellow ribbon's what I need to set me free
If you tie a ribbon, it will be a symbol of your love and set me free from my doubts.
And I wrote and told her please
I begged you in my letter to tie a ribbon if you still want me.
Now the whole damned bus is cheerin'
The other passengers are happy for me because they think I am going home.
And I can't believe I see
I am overwhelmed by the sight of all the ribbons.
A hundred yellow ribbons round the ole oak tree
You and many others have tied ribbons, showing that you still love and want me home.
I'm comin' home
I am finally returning home after being away for so long.
Tie a ribbon 'round the ole oak tree
This line is repeated to emphasize the importance of the symbol and the love it represents.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Irwin Levine, Russell Brown
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@natividadpestanas8524
Now is 2024 and I’m 77 yo still listened to this song. Listening from Long Beach, Ca. but originally from Philippines
Thank you 🙏 😊
@forgottonbabyforgottendeca1483
Do you know what this song is about?
@rizaslifestyle5824
@@forgottonbabyforgottendeca1483❤❤❤
@artstudiogirl784
Thank you for your service.
@kamolhengkiatisak1527
I am 72 and still love this classic even though I'm not English speaking native.
@Specter05624
Ppr!
@TheWorld-of7dd
To whoever who's still listening to this, you have good taste in music
@anishkaa8553
honestly still one of my favorites lmao
@mitch3443ful
Thanks :)
@sunnywallace9310
I love the world