I heard Tell
Laura I Love Her on the radio and realised that it was a great song that I
didn't know much about. In the hope that
you recall it too here is some guff about it.
It dates to 1960 and was originally quite successful
for Ray Peterson. But it was the Ricky
Valance (named after Ritchie Valens) version that shot to No 1. It was later also a hit for Sha Na Na.
The song has a great hook and is a tragic love story so
what's not to love?
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
Or how his car over-turned 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
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
Or how his car over-turned 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
If you want a nostalgia hit, click here
for the Ricky Valance version
I recall this song, the lyrics tell a sad tale.
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