About the song
Ray Peterson’s “Tell Laura I Love Her,” released in 1960, is a classic ballad that has stood the test of time. The song, with its haunting melody and heartfelt lyrics, has become synonymous with the early 1960s and remains a beloved staple of American popular music.
The song’s narrative is straightforward yet poignant. It tells the tale of a young man who is tragically killed in a car accident. His final request to his friend is to tell his girlfriend, Laura, that he loves her. The simplicity of the premise belies the song’s emotional depth. Peterson’s vocals are both tender and powerful, conveying the sincerity of the narrator’s feelings.
The instrumental arrangement is equally striking. The piano accompaniment provides a melancholic backdrop, while the strings add a touch of grandeur. The song’s structure is traditional, with a verse-chorus form that allows the melody to unfold gradually. The bridge, with its soaring vocal line, is a particularly memorable moment.
“Tell Laura I Love Her” was a huge commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It has been covered by countless artists over the years, including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Joan Baez. The song’s enduring popularity can be attributed to its universal theme of love, loss, and regret. It is a timeless piece of music that continues to resonate with audiences of all ages.
Video
Lyrics
Laura and Tommy were lovers
He wanted to give her everything
Flowers, presents and most of all, a wedding ring
He saw a sign for a stock car race
“A thousand dollar prize, ” it read
He couldn’t get Laura on the phone
So to her mother, Tommy said
“Tell Laura I love her
Tell Laura I need her
Tell Laura I may be late
I’ve something to do, that cannot wait”
He drove his car to the racing ground
He was the youngest driver there
The crowd roared as they started the race
‘Round the track they drove at a deadly pace
No one knows what happened that day
How his car overturned in flames
But as they pulled him from the twisted wreck
With his dying breath, they heard him say
“Tell Laura I love her
Tell Laura I need her
Tell Laura not to cry
My love for her will never die”
Now in the chapel where Laura prays
For her Tommy who passed away
It was just for Laura, he lived and died
Alone in the chapel she can hear him cry
“Tell Laura I love her
Tell Laura I need her
Tell Laura not to cry
My love for her will never die”
Tell Laura I love her
Tell Laura I love her