CLICK BELOW TO DISPLAY SECTIONS FOR
1958:
"Tears On My Pillow" by Little Anthony
& The Imperials
"love is not a gadget, love is not a toy"

In the summer of 1958, "Tears On My Pillow" would rise to #4. Little Anthony (nicknamed by disc jockey Alan Freed) and The Imperials came precariously close to being "one-hit wonders" as their only other song to chart in the Elvis Era would be "Shimmy Shimmy Ko Ko Bop" in 1960. But their career was resurrected in 1964 with several more hit records including "Goin' Out of My Head" which reached #8. The late '50's was a popular time for "doo-wop" music and "Tears On My Pillow" was a classic example of a doo-wop success. With minimal instrumentation, the Imperials back Anthony's distinct lead vocal with choruses of "woah oh oh oh," "oooh wah," and the repeated "you ooo, ooo, ooo" at the end. It also qualifies as a classic break-up song as Little Anthony sings about the girl who doesn't even remember him after she "broke my heart in two."


 

 

LYRICS:

You don't remember me, but I remember you
'Twas not so long ago,
you broke my heart in two
Tears on my pillow,
pain in my heart,
caused by you, you
If we could start anew,
I wouldn't hesitate
I'd gladly take you back,
and tempt the hands of fate
Tears on my pillow,
pain in my heart,
caused by you, you, you, you, you
Love is not a gadget, love is not a toy
When you find the one you love,
he'll fill your heart with joy
If we could start anew,
I wouldn't hesitate
I'd gladly take you back,
and tempt the hands of fate
Tears on my pillow,
pain in my heart,
caused by you, you, you, you, you
Love is not a gadget, love is not a toy
When you find the one you love,
he'll fill your heart with joy
If we could start anew,
I wouldn't hesitate
I'd gladly take you back,
and tempt the hands of fate
Tears on my pillow,
pain in my heart,
caused by you, you, you, you, you
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, Now, no, no, no
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, Now, no, no, no
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, Now, no, no, no
week debuted highest ranking Date Highest Rank Weeks in Top Twenty Weeks in Top Forty BillBoard Rank Cashbox Ranking GT rank
1958 8 18 4 1958 10 13 10 14 34 34 33