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Ray Peterson – Tell Laura I Love Her

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About the Song

Released in 1960, “Tell Laura I Love Her” by Ray Peterson isn’t your typical love song. It’s a dramatic ballad tinged with tragedy, a story of desperate love and a sacrifice made in its pursuit. The song quickly climbed the charts, becoming a Top 10 hit and solidifying Peterson’s place in rock and roll history.

The narrative unfolds through Peterson’s powerful vocals, rich with emotion. The lyrics paint a picture of a young man, presumably named Tommy, deeply in love with Laura. He desires to shower her with affection, symbolized by flowers, presents, and ultimately, a wedding ring. However, fate intervenes. Spotting a sign for a stock car race with a tempting prize money, Tommy sees a chance to potentially give Laura the life he dreams for.

Tragedy strikes as the song takes a dark turn. News arrives that Tommy has been involved in a fiery crash. With his last breath, he utters a final plea: “Tell Laura I love her.” This heart-wrenching line resonates throughout the song, a testament to the enduring power of love even in the face of death.

“Tell Laura I Love Her” belongs to a subgenre known as the “teenage tragedy song,” popular in the late 1950s and early 1960s. These songs often explored themes of young love, rebellion, and sudden loss. While some critics dismissed them as melodramatic, “Tell Laura I Love Her” stood out with its powerful vocals, dramatic arrangement, and its ability to evoke genuine emotion.

Beyond its historical significance, the song continues to resonate with listeners today. The universal themes of love, loss, and sacrifice remain timeless. It’s a reminder that life can be fleeting, and the importance of expressing our love to those who matter most.

Ray Peterson | Russ & Gary's "The Best Years of Music"

Video

Lyrics: Tell Laura I Love Her

Laura and Tommy were loversHe wanted to give her everythingFlowers, presents and most of all, a wedding ringHe saw a sign for a stock car raceA thousand dollar prize it readHe couldn’t get Laura on the phoneSo to her mother, Tommy said
Tell Laura I love her, tell Laura I need herTell Laura I may be lateI’ve something to do, that cannot wait
He drove his car to the racing groundsHe was the youngest driver thereAnd the crowed roared as they started the race‘Round the track they drove at a deadly paceNo one knows what happened that dayHow his car overturned in flamesBut as they pulled him from the twisted wreckWith his dying breath, they heard him say
Tell Laura I love her, tell Laura I need herTell Laura not to cryMy love for her will never die
And in the chapel where Laura praysFor Tommy who passed awayIt was just for Laura he lived and diedAlone in the chapel she can hear him cry
Tell Laura I love her, tell Laura I need herTell Laura not to cryMy love for her will never dieTell Laura I love herTell Laura I love herTell Laura I love her

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On June 26, 1977, thousands of fans filled Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, believing they were about to enjoy another unforgettable Elvis Presley concert. No one inside the building knew they were witnessing the final performance of the King of Rock and Roll. As Elvis walked onto the stage, the crowd rose to its feet, cheering just as they had done for more than twenty years. For a few hours, nothing seemed different.

In the final years of his life, Elvis Presley carried a burden that few people truly understood. Behind the sold out concerts and cheering crowds was a man living with constant pain, failing health, and overwhelming exhaustion. Yet every time the curtain rose, he did everything he could to give his fans the performance they had been waiting for. No matter how difficult life became, Elvis never wanted the audience to leave disappointed.

In February 1977, many fans noticed that Elvis Presley looked very different from only a few days earlier. His face seemed thinner, his body had changed, and rumors quickly spread. Some people judged him without knowing the truth. What they were actually seeing was not a man who had stopped caring for himself, but someone whose body was struggling with serious health problems after years of pushing himself beyond his limits.

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