Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa

Gene Pitney

About Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa

"Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, about a traveling man who detours to a romance in a motel and ends up never returning home, which was a hit for Gene Pitney. Its success in the UK, peaking at #5, enabled Pitney to become an international star. In the US, Pitney peaked at #17 on the 7 December 1963 Hot 100 and #2 on the 6 December 1963 WLS Silver Dollar Survey.


Year:
1989
2:58
42 

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Dearest darling I had to write to say that I won't be home anymore
'Cause something happened to me while I was driving home
And I'm not the same anymore
Oh, I was only twenty four hours from Tulsa
Ah, only one day away from your arms
I saw a welcoming light and stopped to rest for the night

And that is when I saw her as I pulled in outside of the small motel she was there
And so I walked up to her, asked where I could get something to eat
And she showed me where.
Oh, I was only twenty four hours from Tulsa
Ah, only one day away from your arms
She took me to the café, I asked her if she would stay, she said "OK"

Oh, I was only twenty four hours from Tulsa
Ah, only one day away from your arms
The jukebox started to play and night time turned into day as we were dancing 
Closely, all of a sudden I lost control as I held her charms
And I caressed her, kissed her, told her I'd die 
Before I would let her out of my arms

Oh, I was only twenty four hours from Tulsa
Ah, only one day away from your arms
I hate to do this to you but I love somebody new, what can I do?
And I can never, never, never go home again.

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Gene Pitney

Gene Francis Alan Pitney (February 17, 1940 – April 5, 2006) was an American singer-songwriter, musician, and sound engineer. Through the mid-1960s, he enjoyed success as a recording artist on both sides of the Atlantic and was among the group of early 1960s American acts who continued to enjoy hits after the British Invasion. more »

1 fan

Written by: HAL DAVID, BURT BACHARACH

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Song Lyrics and Composition
"Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa" is a song composed by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Burt Bacharach is renowned for his unique melodies, while Hal David is known for his perceptive love lyrics.
Sung by Gene Pitney
Although the song was composed by Bacharach and David, the original version was sung by Gene Pitney in 1964. Pitney was well-known for his unique tenor voice and his ability to convey emotional depth in his songs.
Chart Performance
The song reached number 5 on the UK Singles Chart, which marked the beginning of a successful phase for Bacharach, David, and Pitney in the UK.
International Success
Beyond the UK, "Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa" garnered success internationally, peaking at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.
Song Theme
The song tells a story of a traveling man who falls in love with a woman he meets at a café, just a day away from seeing his lover back home in Tulsa.
Distinctive Ending
Unlike most pop songs, "Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa" does not end on a high note or with positive closure for the characters. Instead, it concludes with the haunting image of the protagonist's abandoned lover still awaiting his return in Tulsa.
Cover Versions
The song has been covered by various artists over the years, including Dusty Springfield, Jay and the Americans, and, more recently, Engelbert Humperdinck.
Album Appearance
"Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa" was featured in Gene Pitney's album titled "Blue Gene", which was released in 1964.
Popular in Live Performances
Gene Pitney often included "Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa" in his setlists during live performances, further increasing its popularity.
Iconic Bacharach/David Composition
The song stands as one of the most popular compositions by Bacharach and David, and it continues to be remembered as a classic.
Cause of Rift
The song reportedly caused a minor rift between Pitney and Phil Spector who was supposed to work on Pitney's song, "That Girl Belongs to Yesterday," because Pitney chose to release "Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa" instead.
Use in Film
"Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa" has appeared in various films over the years, including "The Look of Love" (2013), which tells the story of Burt Bacharach's collaboration with Hal David and singer Dionne Warwick.

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    Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1963

    Billboard #17


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