Tell It Like It Is

Aaron Neville

About Tell It Like It Is

"Tell It Like It Is" is a song written by George Davis and Lee Diamond and originally recorded and released in 1966 by Aaron Neville. In 2010, the song was ranked No. 391 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.


Year:
2014
2:43
17 
#2

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If you want something to play with
Go and find yourself a toy
Baby, my time is too expensive
And I'm not a little boy

If you are serious
Don't play with my heart, it makes me furious
But if want me to love you
Then, baby, I will, girl, you know I will

Tell it like it is
Don't be ashamed to let your conscience be your guide
But I-I-I-I-I know deep down inside of me
I believe you love me, forget your foolish pride

Life is too short to have sorrow
You may be here today and gone tomorrow
You might as well get what you want
So go on and live, baby, go on and live

Tell it like it is
I'm nothing to play with, go and find yourself a toy
But I-I-I-I-I
Tell it like it is
My time is too expensive
And I'm not your little boy, mmm tell it like it is

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Aaron Neville

Aaron Neville (born January 24, 1941, New Orleans, Louisiana) is an American soul and R&B, and country singer and musician. He has had four top-20 hits in the United States (including three that went to number one on Billboard's adult contemporary chart and one that went to number one on the R&B chart) along with four platinum-certified albums. He has also recorded with his brothers Art, Charles and Cyril as The Neville Brothers and is the father of singer/keyboards player Ivan Neville. Of mixed African American and Native American heritage,[citation needed] his music also features Cajun and Creole influences. more »

9 fans

Written by: George Davis, Lee Diamond

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, M. JONES PUBLISHING CO.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


15 facts about this song

Artist Background
The artist, "Aaron Neville," is an American R&B and soul vocalist and musician born on January 24, 1941, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Song Peak
The song, "Tell It Like It Is," reached #1 on the Billboard R&B chart on November 13, 1966, and remained there for five weeks.
Billboard Chart
The song, "Tell It Like It Is," also reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Grammy-Award Winning Artist
Aaron Neville, the singer of "Tell It Like It Is," is a four-time Grammy Award-winning artist.
Legacy
"Tell It Like It Is" is considered to be Aaron Neville's signature song.
RIAA Certification
The song was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), denoting sales of over a million copies.
Re-Recording
"Tell It Like It Is" was re-recorded by Aaron Neville in 1981 and released as a single, which reached charting success.
Songwriters
The song was composed by George Davis and Lee Diamond.
Duration
The original version of "Tell It Like It Is" has a duration of 2:41 minutes.
Cover Versions
"Tell It Like It Is" has been covered by numerous artists, including Heart, Billy Joe Royal, Donna McElroy, Andy Williams, and more.
Usage in Media
The song has been featured in numerous movies and television shows, including "The Big Easy," "Predator 2," and "The Devil's Own."
Unique Genre
The song is often cited as a striking example of the New Orleans soul genre.
International Reception
Apart from its success in the USA, "Tell It Like It Is" also reached #37 in Australia in 1967.
Other Peaks
Despite its commercial success, "Tell It Like It Is" was Aaron Neville's only solo single to reach the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 before the 1980s.
Television Performances
Aaron Neville has performed "Tell It Like It Is" on several notable television programs, including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2017.

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    "Tell It Like It Is Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/34254368/Aaron+Neville/Tell+It+Like+It+Is>.

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    Tell It Like It Is

    21.5M
    139.5K     4,757

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1967

    Billboard #2


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