Little Anthony And The Imperials – Tears on My Pillow

About The Song

“Tears on My Pillow” is a doo-wop composition penned by Sylvester Bradford and Al Lewis in 1958. The inaugural recording of this song was by Little Anthony and the Imperials on End Records, marking the group’s debut under that name. This rendition achieved Billboard’s top-10 status, peaking at No. 4, and reaching No. 3 in Canada,[1] marking the Imperials’ first million-selling record. Notably, the flip side, “Two People in the World,” also gained considerable popularity. While “Tears on My Pillow” stands as one of the Imperials’ iconic tracks, it has seen extensive covers, including a rendition by Kylie Minogue that secured the No. 1 spot on the UK Singles Chart in January 1990.[2]

The Imperials’ original version initially credited “The Imperials” on early copies of the single. This group had previously operated under the names “The Duponts” and “The Chesters.” Alan Freed, a Brooklyn, New York deejay, accorded top billing to the group’s lead singer, Anthony Gourdine, during on-air introductions, solidifying the name “Little Anthony and the Imperials.”

“Tears on My Pillow” climbed to the #4 position on the U.S. charts, selling over a million copies and standing as the Imperials’ most successful single during their doo-wop era. Its success would only be rivaled by the Imperials’ 1964 single “Goin’ Out of My Head.” The Imperials, comprising members “Little Anthony” Gourdine, Clarence Collins, Ernest Wright, Tracy Lord, and Nate Rogers (the latter two later replaced by Sammy Strain), showcased the song on various TV programs, including The Dick Clark Show,[3] and on the PBS Oldies special, Rock, Rhythm, and Doo-Wop in 1958 and 2002 respectively. Their performance of the tune was also featured on the American Bandstand 40th Anniversary Special in 2002.

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