I bought a compilation album in 1985 with songs like Bend Me, Shape Me, Crimson and Clover, and All I Have To Do Is Dream. Since then, I’ve been a huge Everly Brothers fan.
They did not rock like Chuck Berry, early Elvis, Little Richard, or Buddy Holly. They were different…their two voices made one complete whole voice. Their inspiration goes down the line to The Hollies, Beatles, Stones, and many of the British Invasion Bands. Keith Richards called Don Everly was one of the finest rhythm guitar players he ever heard.
(Till)I Kissed You is a catchy tune with catchy guitar riffs and the signature harmonies that the Everly Brothers were known for. Don Everly wrote this song while touring Australia. He said he wrote it about every girl he met on the tour…but especially about a girl named Lillian.
This recording features two great musicians. Chet Atkins is on guitar with Jerry Allison on drums. They were one of the pioneering acts in country rock. The Everly Brothers are members of the Rock and Roll and Country Music Halls of Fame. Though the brothers had a strained personal relationship, they didn’t speak for ten years at one point, but they managed to chart 35 top 100 singles.
The song peaked at #4 on the Billboard 100, #8 on the Billboard Country Charts, #3 in Canada, #2 in the UK, and #22 on the Billboard R&B Charts in 1959.
Don Everly: “I wrote it about a girl I met on that trip, her name was Lillian, and she was very, very inspirational. I was married, but… you know.”
(Till) I Kissed You
Never felt like this until I kissed you
How did I exist until I kissed you
Never had you on my mind
Now you’re there all the time
Never knew what I missed until I kissed you, uh-huh
I kissed you, oh yeah
Things have really changed since I kissed you, uh-huh
My life’s not the same now that I kissed you, oh yeah
Mm, you got a way about you
Now I can’t live without you
Never knew what I missed until I kissed you, uh-huh
I kissed you, oh yeah
You don’t realize what you do to me
And I didn’t realize what a kiss could be
Mm, you got a way about you
Now I can’t live without you
Never knew what I missed until I kissed you, uh-huh
I kissed you, oh yeah
You don’t realize what you do to me
And I didn’t realize what a kiss could be
Mm, you got a way about you
Now I can’t live without you
Never knew what I missed until I kissed you, uh-huh
I kissed you, oh yeah
I kissed you, uh-huh
I kissed you, oh yeah
I kissed you, uh-huh