Country singer Keith Whitley’s career may have been short-lived—only five years after the release of his first album—with his untimely and tragic passing at the age of 34, but his songs will forever be etched in every country music fan’s heart, especially his love songs. He always had a way with them, and they never failed to strike a chord, especially his tribute song to his wife, Lorrie Morgan, “Tell Lorrie I Love Her.”
This song was a posthumous release. It was included in his 1990 album Greatest Hits, a year after his death. And this wasn’t actually an official recording. Whitley only intended it to be a “work tape” – a demo track for his friend Curtis Young to sing at his wedding to fellow country singer Lorrie Morgan.
Meaning Behind the Song
Keith Whitley’s “Tell Lorrie I Love Her” is a spare ballad featuring only his vocals and guitar. And that was everything the song needed. If anything, the stripped-down style amplified its message.
For You
Whitley opened with an “if” scenario of him facing the end of his life in the desert without a drink of water around. While he could have wished for a drop of water or some shade to protect him from the scorching heat at that moment, he did not. Instead, he asked for someone to tell Lorrie that he loved her.
In the second verse, it was a different scenario, but still, he was facing death. And yet again, his dying plea was for Lorrie to know that he loved and needed her. She will always be the one and only girl for him. His love for her will never die.
It’s a reminder that life is fleeting, and while we have the chance, let’s express our love to those who are dear to us. But if you’re not good with words, you can simply play Keith Whitley’s “Tell Lorrie I Love Her” in the video below.
