Tell Him

Album: Tell Him (1962)
Charted: 46 4
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  • I know something about love
    You've gotta want it bad
    If that guy's got into your blood
    Go out and get him
    If you want him to be
    The very heart of you
    Makes you want to breathe
    Here's the thing to do

    Tell him that you're never gonna leave him
    Tell him that you're always gonna love him
    Tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him right now

    I know something about love
    You gotta show it and
    Make him see the moon up above
    Out and get him
    If you want him to be
    Always by your side
    If you want him to
    Only think of you

    Tell him that you're never gonna leave him
    Tell him that you're always gonna love him
    Tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him right now

    Ever since the world began, it's been that way for man
    And women were created
    To make love their destiny
    Then why should true love be so complicated, oh yeah?

    I know something about love
    You gotta take his hand
    Show him what the world is made of
    One kiss will prove it
    If you want him to be
    Always by your side
    Take his hand tonight
    Swallow your foolish pride

    Tell him that you're never gonna leave him
    Tell him that you're always gonna love him
    Tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him right now

    Oh, you hafta tell him now (tell him that you're never gonna leave him)
    Oh yeah (tell him that you're always gonna love him)
    Yeah (tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him right now)

    Darling, don't you let him go, now (tell him that you're never gonna leave him)
    Oh yeah (tell him that you're always gonna love him)
    Yeah (tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him right now)

    Take his hand in yours and tell him (tell him that you're never gonna leave him)
    Oh yeah (tell him that you're always gonna love him) Writer/s: Bert Russell
    Publisher: Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 17

  • Eric B. from North CarolinaI love that song especially the little "mistake" she makes when she didn't sing the full lyric "If you want him to be" The second time she sings "if you want him". It has been edited and i had to search for an unedited version. I always thought the mistake made the song better.
  • AnonymousDuring 1960 thru 1963, I was in the US Air Force in Zweibrucken, Germany when I heard “Tell Him” on the radio at British airman’s and his wife’s apartment. They listened in their apartment to the British illegal radio station Radio Luxembourg. Records on air were played about 3/4 of song when the disc jockey would interrupted the song and start a different record after a bit of excited jabber. I loved it! Still miss it. It was then I heard “Tell Him” and the Beatles for the first time which was before the Beatles appeared in the US. I still have a 45 rpm record of “Tell Him.”
  • AnonymousI love that song to bits .i heard it first on my mother and fathers record player and it brings back so many happy memories
  • Miles from Vancouver, CanadaI don't know why... I just don't like this song.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn January 13th 1963, "Tell Him" by Exciters peaked at #4 (for 2 weeks) and spent 13 weeks on the Top 100...
    Their original version of "Do-Wah-Diddy" entered the Top 100 later in 1963 on December 28th for a four week stay, reaching position #78...
    In June of 1963 their 3rd charted record was titled "Get Him" (peaked at #76, and its on You Tube)...
    R.I.P. Group member Carol Johnson (1945 - 2007).
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyIn 1966 Dean Parrish did a cover version of this song titled "Tell Her", it peaked at No. 97!!! {Note: Later in his career he was a session musician with Jimi Hendrix, Santana, and Bob Marley}
  • Barry from Portsmouth, England, United Kingdom For me, Billy Davis's British version of 'Tell Him' has something extra than the other. The way the words 'I' and 'that' have more emphasis on them in the lines 'I know somethin' about love' and 'Tell him that you're never gonna leave him, tell him that you're always gonna love him' gives a stronger, more urgent beat and gives a stand-out 'chugging' effect to the whole song.
    Miss Davis should have had a massive hit but was dogged by bad luck. When her record was first heard and wanted, the public found they couldn't get copies. The hitches were caused first by the Easter Closedown and then by a production workers' strike. When normality was reached, the world had moved on and Miss Davis had achieved only 10th spot in the British charts.
    - Barry, Portsmouth, England.
  • Steve Dotstar from Los Angeles, Cagreatlittle record!I'm Steveo,and I approve this message....;)
  • Sara from Silver Spring, MdKenny Loggins covered "Tell Her" in 1988 on his "Back to Avalon" album.
  • Dominick from New York, NyBrenda Reid was the lead vocalist in this song. The Exciters also recorded the orignal version of Doo Wah Diddy Diddy in 1963, which shortly thereafter became a huge hit for Manfred Mann.
  • Michael from Sydney, BosniaOn of my favourite 60's tunes - very punchy.

    Mike, Sydney, Australia
  • Lisa from Alabaska, AlIn the TV sitcom "Living Single", the main characters (Max,Sinclaire,Kadejah,Regine) perform this in a dream sequence one of them had. In the dream they were a 70's quartet.
  • Mel from Auckland, New ZealandUntil I found out it was by The Exicters, I thought this song was sung by Sandie Shaw. The main voice in this song is remarkably similar.
  • James from Vidalia, GaOops...I didn't read that properly. I've never seen My Best Friend's Wedding. D'oh!

    *wishes he could edit these*
  • James from Vidalia, GaYep, I always think of The Big Chill when I hear this one. A very good use of this song in that film. I don't even remember how it was used in Four Weddings... Hum...
  • Roger from London, EnglandBillie Davis won over Alma Cogan and the Exciters in the British hit parade honours
  • Steve from Salt Lake City, UtYears ago I lost the 45 I bought in 1963. I thought I took good care of it.
    I recently found it & it looks like I played it to death!
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