About the song
“Tell Laura I Love Her” is a poignant teenage tragedy song originally written by Jeff Barry and Ben Raleigh. Initially recorded by Ray Peterson in 1960 on RCA Victor Records, the song quickly became a top ten hit in the United States, peaking at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Its narrative, delivered from the perspective of a witness, unfolds the tragic tale of Tommy, a young man deeply in love with Laura. Tommy enters a dangerous stock car race against all odds, hoping to win the prize money to buy Laura a wedding ring and fulfill their dreams of marriage.
The song takes a dramatic turn when Tommy’s car overturns and catches fire during the race, leading to fatal injuries. In his dying moments, Tommy’s heartbreaking last words are a plea to tell Laura of his eternal love: “Tell Laura I love her… My love for her will never die.” The poignant scene continues as Laura mourns in the chapel, accompanied by the solemn tones of a church organ. In a haunting conclusion, Tommy’s voice echoes through the chapel one last time, fading into silence.
Recording history reveals an interesting evolution of the song’s lyrics. Originally themed around a rodeo, RCA Victor requested a rewrite to align more closely with the success of “Teen Angel,” a similar teenage tragedy song of the era. The personnel on the original recording included notable musicians such as Al Chernet, Charles Macy, and Sebastian Mure on guitars, Lloyd Trotman on bass, and Bunny Shawker on drums, contributing to its evocative musical backdrop.
In the United Kingdom, despite initial controversy and bans due to its perceived “bad taste” and concerns over copycat behavior, “Tell Laura I Love Her” achieved immense popularity. Ricky Valance’s cover version released by EMI on the Columbia label soared to the No. 1 spot on the UK Singles Chart for three weeks, affirming its status as a global hit. The song’s enduring appeal is underscored by its resonance across 14 countries and its impressive sales of over seven million copies worldwide.
“Tell Laura I Love Her” remains a classic example of the power of storytelling in music, capturing themes of love, loss, and eternal devotion that continue to resonate with listeners through generations.
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