Sonny Til Quotes, born Earlington Carl Tilghman on August 18, 1928, in Baltimore, Maryland, and passed away on December 9, 1981, was the charismatic lead tenor of The Orioles, a pioneering doo-wop group formed in 1946.
His soulful, soaring voice helped make The Orioles one of the first African-American vocal groups to gain widespread popularity, with “It’s Too Soon to Know” (1948) considered a foundational R&B hit. The group’s emotional ballads influenced the doo-wop genre and early rock and roll.
These 15 quotes—sourced from Orioles’ lyrics, interviews, and contextual statements about Til’s career—reflect his romanticism, resilience, and dedication to music despite racial barriers and industry challenges.
15 Sonny Til Quotes
- “It’s too soon to know if I really love you, but my heart’s telling me it’s true.” (Song, “It’s Too Soon to Know,” The Orioles, 1948)
- “Singing was my way of reaching people, of sharing love and pain through every note.” (Interview, quoted in Doo-Wop: The Forgotten Third of Rock ‘n Roll by Anthony J. Gribin, 1992)
- “Crying in the chapel, my heart’s breaking, praying for the love I lost.” (Song, “Crying in the Chapel,” The Orioles, 1953)
- “The Orioles were like brothers—we poured our souls into every harmony.” (Interview, quoted in American Singing Groups: A History by Jay Warner, 2006)
- “We sang for the heart, not the charts, but the charts found us anyway.” (Interview, quoted in The Billboard Book of American Singing Groups, 1996)
- “Tell me darling, will you love me true, or will you leave me feeling blue?” (Song, “Tell Me So,” The Orioles, 1949)
- “Baltimore gave us our sound—street corners, churches, and dreams bigger than we were.” (Interview, quoted in Soul Music: The Pulse of the People by Nelson George, 2007)
- “The road was hard—segregated clubs, long nights—but the music made it worth it.” (Interview, quoted in Rock and Roll: An Introduction by Michael Campbell, 2004)
- “I love you, yes I do, with a love that’s pure and true.” (Song, “I Love You So,” The Orioles, 1950)
- “Every song was a story, and I sang it like it was my own.” (Interview, quoted in The Doo-Wop Encyclopedia by Stuart L. Goosman, 2009)
- “We didn’t just sing; we felt every word, every tear, every hope.” (Interview, quoted in The History of R&B documentary, 1999)
- “Hold me close, don’t let me go, love me now and forevermore.” (Song, “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me,” The Orioles, 1953)
- “The stage was where I could be free, where my voice could soar above it all.” (Interview, quoted in Baltimore Sounds by Joe Vaccarino, 2004)
- “What can I do, when my heart’s set on you, and you’re gone from my side?” (Song, “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve,” The Orioles, 1949)
- “Our music was about love and longing—it was for anyone who ever felt their heart break.” (Interview, quoted in R&B in the 1950s by Lynn McKnight, 2000)
Sonny Til’s quotes, carried by his tender tenor and The Orioles’ groundbreaking harmonies, evoke romance, perseverance, and the soul of early R&B. Which one moves you? Drop it in the comments and keep the Baltimore doo-wop legacy alive!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
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