Johnny Thunder - Tell Him

First performance: 14/04/2002


Coverinfo

Bruce covered the song 12 times and as snippets on Broadway ( see Bruce on the artist )
 
Most of the time he performed the song in the Stone Pony during school benefits.
 
  
 
2015-05-30 Private Estate, Oakland, NJ
Bruce and Patti perform with Bobby Bandiera's band at the wedding of Kelly Kilbride and Ryan O'Toole at a private estate in Oakland, NJ. Kelly is Patti's personal assistant. Bruce sang lead and played guitar on several classics, while Patti took lead vocal duties for "Tell Him" 

2010-01-23 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park
Benefit for the Ranney School. Bruce is backed by Bobby Bandiera’s band and is joined by Patti Scialfa and Southside Johnny.

2009-10-17 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park
Boston College Benefit: A benefit for Bruce’s son’s school. Bruce is backed by Bobby Bandiera’s band. Patti Scialfa and Southside Johnny each take lead vocals on several numbers.

2008-05-13 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park
Annual benefit for the Ranney School for teachers and parents, backed by Bobby Bandiera and his band. Southside Johnny and Patti Scialfa take lead vocals on several songs each.

2007-04-29 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park
Private benefit/fundraising gig for the Ranney School of Tinton Falls, NJ (Bruce had performed here at a similar benefit for the Ranney school in September 2006). This show was not related to the Rumson Country Day School (RCDS) benefits that Springsteen had performed at every year (2002-2006) during April-May. Bruce is backed by Bobby Bandiera and his band. 

2006-09-17 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park
Private benefit for parents and teachers of the Ranney School of Tinton Falls, NJ with Bobby Bandiera's band (plus saxophonist Ed Manion on several songs) backing Bruce.

2005-04-10 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park
The fourth annual Rumson Country Day School benefit concert. The band consisted of Bruce Springsteen, Bobby Bandiera, Joey Stann, Muddy Shews, Joe Bellia, Kevin Kavanaugh, Ed Manion and Chris Anderson.
Late: Holiday Shows. Bruce Springsteen & Friends performing two shows; one at 4:30pm and another at 8:30pm. Patti Scialfa shares lead vocals for "Tell Him".

2004-04-25 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park
The third year of the private Rumson Country Day School benefits with Bruce, Patti Scialfa, Southside Johnny and Bobby Bandiera. Bobby Bandiera and his band provided backing throughout the night, along with Jukes horns Ed Manion, Joey Stann, and Chris Anderson. Admission was once again, as previous years restricted to RCDS parents. 
 
2003-04-30 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park
The second year of the private Rumson Country Day School benefits with Bruce, Patti Scialfa, Jon Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny and Bobby Bandiera (is is not known who played on what songs). Admission was once again, as last year (April 13 and 14, 2002) restricted to Rumson County Day School parents.
 
2002-04-14 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park
A second private benefit for the Rumson Country Day School. Guests, besides friends and family, were parents and school supporters, who contributed $1,000 per couple to the school for admission, and teachers from the school, who were reportedly invited for free. Bruce is accompanied by Patti Scialfa, Soozie Tyrell, Lisa Lowell, and Bobby Bandiera with his band.

2002-04-13 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park
Private benefit for the Rumson Country Day School. Guests, besides friends and family, were parents and school supporters, who contributed $1,000 per couple to the school for admission, and teachers from the school, who were reportedly invited for free. Springsteen announced his contribution a couple of months previous at a private fundraising event for the school. First performance of "Darlington County" since 9/11. Bruce is accompanied by Patti Scialfa, Soozie Tyrell, Lisa Lowell, Southside Johnny and Bobby Bandiera with his band (including Bob Burger, Steve 'Muddy' Shews, Joey Stann, Mike Mancini, and Joe Bellia).
 

Songinfo

"Tell Him," originally written and composed as "Tell Her," is a 1962 song that was written and composed by Bert Berns, who, when he did so, used the pen name of Bert Russell. The song was first recorded as "Tell Her" in 1962 by Gil Hamilton, aka Johnny Thunder, with Berns producing. The song is best known by the version of the the Exciters.
 
  
 

Other cover versions

Bruce on the artist

2020-07-29 SiriusXM Studio, New York City
'Bruce plays the song during his "From My Home, To Yours… Part 9 " on Sirius XM's E Street Radio, conveniently themed "Rumble Doll". This late surprise episode of the series includes guest Patti Scialfa, celebrating her birthday, and contains the premiere of a new song, "You're A Big Girl Now", from her forthcoming album.  
 
 
Talking about Patti Scialfa, Bruce mentioned the title of the song during the "Bruce on Broadway" shows. He plays a little bit of the song he saw her perform that evening they met in The Stone Pony:
 
 
"Alright, alright, she is the queen of my heart. She is my flaming beauty. My Jersey girl. She is a great songwriter, she's one of the loveliest voices I've ever heard. She is smart, tough, but fragile. Don't forget that part. If we love those in whose companies reflected the best of us, that's the light she shines on me. 1984 one night, hangin' out at the Stone Pony and this beautiful redhead shows up and sits in with the Sunday night house band, and that is the night I fell in love with Patti's voice. She got on stage, this blaze of red, she performed a great version of The Exciters' hit song "Tell Him". So the first line of the first song I ever heard Patti sing was "I know somethin' about love". She does. Ladies and gentlemen Patti Scialfa".
  

Lyrics

I know something about love
You've gotta want it bad
If that guy's got into your blood
Go out and get him
If you want him to be
The very part of you
Make you want to breathe
Here's the thing to do

[Chorus]
Tell him that you're never gonna leave him
Tell him that you're always gonna love him
Tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him right now

[Verse 2]
I know something about love, you gotta show it and
Make him see the moon up above
Go out and get him
If you want him to be always by your side
If you want him to only think of you

[Chorus]
Tell him that you're never gonna leave him
Tell him that you're always gonna love him
Tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him right now

[Bridge]
Ever since the world began, it's been that way for man
And women were created to make love their destiny
Then why should true love be so complicated, oh yeah?

[Verse 3]
I know something about love
You gotta take his hand
Show him what the world is made of
One kiss will prove it
If you want him to be always by your side
Take his hand tonight, swallow your foolish pride

[Chorus]
Tell him that you're never gonna leave him
Tell him that you're always gonna love him
Tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him right now
Oh, you have to go now
(Tell him that you're never gonna leave him) oh, yeah
(Tell him that you're always gonna love him) yeah
(Tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him right now)
Don't you let him go, now
(Tell him that you're never gonna leave him) oh, yeah
(Tell him that you're always gonna love him) yeah
(Tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him right now)

[Fade]
Just take his hand in yours and tell him