Tell Him

Album

Tell Him

Label

United Artists Records

Genre

Dance-pop

Composer(s)

Bert Russell (Bert Berns)

Entered Chart

Dec 1, 1962

Peak Date

Jan 19, 1963

Released

October 18, 1962

Recorded

October 1962 Studio Bell Sound Studios, New York City, New York

Catalog #

United Artists 544

B-Side

Hard Way To Go

Bert Berns, using the pseudonym Bert Russell, wrote this song as "Tell Her." Versions by Johnny Thunder and Ed Townsend were released in 1962, but they both stiffed. When the production team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller left Atlantic Records to work for United Artists, they produced a new version by The Exciters, a New York quartet featuring three female vocalists. Released later in 1962 as "Tell Him," it became a big hit, reaching its chart peak on January 19, 1963. The Exciters followed with "He's Got The Power" (#57), and a "Tell Him" clone called "Get Him" (#76). They also recorded the original version of "Do-Wah-Diddy." Bert Berns, who died of a heart attack at age 38 in 1967, wrote several hits of the '60s, including "Twist And Shout," "Piece Of My Heart" and "Hang On Sloopy" In the UK, this was a #10 hit for the female singer Billie Davis in 1963. A version by the Glam Rock band Hello reached #6 there in 1974 (also as "Tell Him," with the context changed so a guy is imploring a girl to go after another guy). The female duo Quentin & Ash took it to #25 UK in 1996. In America, the song charted two more times as "Tell Her" when it was recorded by Dean Parrish (#97, 1966) and Kenny Loggins (#76, 1989). This was used for the soundtracks of the films The Big Chill (1983) and My Best Friend's Wedding (1997). In 1997, Vonda Shepard covered this for the sitcom Ally McBeal. Originally, "Tell Him" was going to be the theme song for the show, but Vonda convinced the show's creator, David E. Kelley, to use one of her original songs instead: "Searchin' My Soul." Dusty Springfield once said that this song inspired her to make the move from folk music to rock and soul music. >>

know something about love
You've gotta want it bad
If that guy's got into your blood
Go out and get him
If you want him to be
The very heart of you
Makes you want to breathe
Here's the thing to do

Tell him that you're never gonna leave him
Tell him that you're always gonna love him
Tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him right now

I know something about love
You gotta show it and
Make him see the moon up above
Out and get him
If you want him to be
Always by your side
If you want him to
Only think of you

Tell him that you're never gonna leave him
Tell him that you're always gonna love him
Tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him right now

Ever since the world began, it's been that way for man
And women were created
To make love their destiny
Then why should true love be so complicated, oh yeah?

I know something about love
You gotta take his hand
Show him what the world is made of
One kiss will prove it
If you want him to be
Always by your side
Take his hand tonight
Swallow your foolish pride

Tell him that you're never gonna leave him
Tell him that you're always gonna love him
Tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him right now

Oh, you hafta tell him now (tell him that you're never gonna leave him)
Oh yeah (tell him that you're always gonna love him)
Yeah (tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him right now)

Darling, don't you let him go, now (tell him that you're never gonna leave him)
Oh yeah (tell him that you're always gonna love him)
Yeah (tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him right now)

Take his hand in yours and tell him (tell him that you're never gonna leave him)
Oh yeah (tell him that you're always gonna love him)