Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Ricky Valance's heartfelt rerecording of Tell Laura I Love Her — one of the most memorable teenage tragedy ballads of the early 1960s.
Born in Ynysddu, Ricky Valance became the first Welsh artist to reach number one on the UK Singles Chart. Released in 1960, Tell Laura I Love Her tells the poignant story of a young man entering a stock car race to win prize money so he can buy an engagement ring for his sweetheart, Laura. Despite controversy surrounding its tragic storyline, the song resonated with audiences across Britain, spending three weeks at number one and becoming one of the defining ballads of its era.
*Lyrics*
Laura and Tommy were lovers
He wanted to give her everything
Flowers, presents and most of all a wedding ring
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
Tell Laura I love her
Tell Laura I need her
Tell Laura I may be late
I've something to do that cannot wait
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
No one knows what happened that day
How his car overturned in flames
But as they pulled him from the twisted wreck
With his dying breath they heard him say
Tell Laura I love her
Tell Laura I need her
Tell Laura not to cry
My love for her will never die
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
Tell Laura I love her
Tell Laura I need her
Tell Laura not to cry
My love for her will never die
Tell Laura I love her
Tell Laura I love her
#ClassicHits #RickyValance #TellLauraILoveHer
© 2026 One Media iP Ltd
Ricky Valance's heartfelt rerecording of Tell Laura I Love Her — one of the most memorable teenage tragedy ballads of the early 1960s.
Born in Ynysddu, Ricky Valance became the first Welsh artist to reach number one on the UK Singles Chart. Released in 1960, Tell Laura I Love Her tells the poignant story of a young man entering a stock car race to win prize money so he can buy an engagement ring for his sweetheart, Laura. Despite controversy surrounding its tragic storyline, the song resonated with audiences across Britain, spending three weeks at number one and becoming one of the defining ballads of its era.
*Lyrics*
Laura and Tommy were lovers
He wanted to give her everything
Flowers, presents and most of all a wedding ring
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
Tell Laura I love her
Tell Laura I need her
Tell Laura I may be late
I've something to do that cannot wait
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
No one knows what happened that day
How his car overturned in flames
But as they pulled him from the twisted wreck
With his dying breath they heard him say
Tell Laura I love her
Tell Laura I need her
Tell Laura not to cry
My love for her will never die
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
Tell Laura I love her
Tell Laura I need her
Tell Laura not to cry
My love for her will never die
Tell Laura I love her
Tell Laura I love her
#ClassicHits #RickyValance #TellLauraILoveHer
© 2026 One Media iP Ltd
