
Ray Peterson – “Tell Laura I Love Her”: A Heartbreaking Tale of Young Love and Tragedy
Released in 1960, Tell Laura I Love Her by Ray Peterson is a poignant ballad that tells a tragic and heart-wrenching story of young love, loss, and sacrifice. Written by Jeff Barry and Ben Raleigh, the song became a major hit, reaching #7 on the Billboard Hot 100, and has since become one of the most memorable songs of its era. With its tender melody, powerful lyrics, and Peterson’s emotive delivery, Tell Laura I Love Her continues to resonate with listeners who appreciate the timeless themes of love and loss.
The Story: A Tragic Love Letter
At its heart, Tell Laura I Love Her is a song about a young couple deeply in love, but their love is tragically cut short by an accident. The song tells the story of Tommy, a teenage boy who is in love with a girl named Laura. Desperate to prove his devotion, Tommy enters a car race, hoping to win money to buy a ring for Laura and secure their future together. However, during the race, Tommy crashes his car, and as he lies dying, his last words are a heartfelt plea for someone to tell Laura that he loves her.
The song’s plotline is simple yet profoundly emotional. The image of a young man, full of hope and dreams for his future with the girl he loves, only to meet an untimely death, is a devastating one. The narrative captures the innocence and purity of youth, while simultaneously exposing the fragility of life. The chorus, in which Tommy asks, “Tell Laura I love her,” echoes the theme of unfulfilled love and the sorrow of a life cut short.
Ray Peterson’s Performance
Ray Peterson’s vocal performance is central to the emotional impact of Tell Laura I Love Her. His voice, rich with emotion and tenderness, brings a sense of vulnerability and earnestness to the song. Peterson sings with a quiet desperation, capturing the heartache and sincerity of Tommy’s final moments. His voice trembles with the weight of the lyrics, particularly in the final lines when he sings, “Tell Laura I love her, tell Laura I need her.” Peterson’s ability to convey deep emotion through his voice is what makes this song stand out as a classic in the pop and teen tragedy genre.
The arrangement of the song also plays a key role in enhancing the somber mood. The lush orchestration, complete with strings and a gentle piano, creates a melancholic atmosphere that complements the song’s heartbreaking narrative. This combination of powerful lyrics, Peterson’s evocative delivery, and the emotional arrangement has made Tell Laura I Love Her one of the most enduring examples of the “teen tragedy” genre of the late 1950s and early 1960s.
The Teen Tragedy Phenomenon

Tell Laura I Love Her is one of the most well-known songs in the teen tragedy genre, a subgenre of pop music that became popular in the late 1950s and early 1960s. These songs often featured young protagonists caught in tragic situations, usually involving death, heartbreak, or separation. Songs like Teen Angel by Mark Dinning and Last Kiss by J. Frank Wilson & The Cavaliers followed a similar formula, exploring themes of young love and tragic loss.
What set Tell Laura I Love Her apart from other teen tragedy songs, however, was its emotional depth and the sincerity of its storytelling. Unlike many teen tragedy songs, which can feel melodramatic or overly sensationalized, Tell Laura I Love Her resonates with listeners because of its simplicity and heartfelt sincerity. The song’s emotional appeal comes not from a sensationalized story, but from its universal themes of love, loss, and the fragility of life.
Controversy and Reception
Despite its emotional resonance, Tell Laura I Love Her was not without its controversy. Some radio stations initially hesitated to play the song due to its tragic subject matter, believing it might be too morbid or upsetting for listeners. However, the song’s popularity soon overcame any initial resistance, and it became a massive hit, reaching #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and selling over a million copies. It remains one of Ray Peterson’s signature songs and a defining example of the teen tragedy genre.
Over the years, Tell Laura I Love Her has been covered by numerous artists, further cementing its place in pop music history. While these covers have varied in style and interpretation, none have quite captured the raw emotion and vulnerability of the original performance by Ray Peterson.
Legacy and Impact
Tell Laura I Love Her continues to be a beloved classic, cherished by fans of 1960s pop and those who appreciate the timeless themes of love, tragedy, and youthful innocence. It stands as a testament to the power of music to convey deep emotions and connect with listeners on a personal level. Though the song was released over six decades ago, its impact has not diminished, and it remains a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the enduring power of love.
In the years since its release, Tell Laura I Love Her has been featured in films, TV shows, and documentaries, ensuring that new generations continue to experience its emotional depth. The song’s unforgettable melody, touching lyrics, and the heart-wrenching performance by Ray Peterson have solidified its place as one of the most iconic and influential songs of the 1960s.
Conclusion
Tell Laura I Love Her by Ray Peterson is more than just a song; it is a heart-wrenching story of love, sacrifice, and loss. With its tender lyrics, evocative melody, and Peterson’s emotional delivery, it captures the essence of young love and the tragedy that can sometimes accompany it. Despite its somber subject matter, the song’s enduring popularity speaks to the universal themes it explores, making it a classic in the annals of pop music. For anyone who has experienced love, loss, or longing, Tell Laura I Love Her remains a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the power of love to transcend time.
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Laura and Tommy were lovers
He wanted to give her everything
Flowers, presents
And most of all a wedding ring[Verse 2]
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[Chorus 1]
Tell Laura I love her
Tell Laura I need her
Tell Laura I may be late
I’ve something to do that cannot wait[Verse 3]
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[Verse 4]
No-one knows what happened that day
Or how his car over-turned in flames
But as they pulled him from the twisted wreck
With his dying breath they heard him say[Chorus 2]
Tell Laura I love her
Tell Laura I need her
Tell Laura not to cry
My love for her will never die[Verse 5]
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[Chorus 2]
Tell Laura I love her
Tell Laura I need her
Tell Laura not to cry
My love for her will never die[Tag]
Tell Laura I love her
Tell Laure I love her…
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