Dame Gracie Fields, DBE (January 9, 1898–September 27, 1979), born Grace St… Read Full Bio ↴Dame Gracie Fields, DBE (January 9, 1898–September 27, 1979), born Grace Stansfield, was an English/Italian singer and comedienne who became one of the greatest stars of both cinema and music hall.
Born over a fish and chip shop owned by her grandmother in Molesworth Street, Rochdale, Lancashire, she made her first stage appearance as a child in 1905. Her two sisters, Edith and Betty, and brother, Tommy, all went on to appear on stage, but Gracie was the most successful. Her professional debut in variety took place at the Rochdale Hippodrome theatre in 1910 and she soon gave up her job in the local cotton mill.
She met comedian Archie Pitt and they began working together. Pitt would come to serve as her manager and the two married in 1923. Their first revue in 1915 was called Yes I think so and the two continued to tour Britain together until 1922 in the revue Mr Tower of London.
Her most famous song, which became her theme, "Sally," was worked into the title of her first cinema film, Sally in Our Alley (1931), which was a major box office hit. She went on to make several films initially in Britain and later in the United States (for which she was paid a record fee of US$200,000 for four films), despite never performing without a live audience.
Ironically, the final few lines of the song 'Sally' were written by her husband's mistress, and Gracie sang this song at nearly every performance she made from 1931 onwards.
Born over a fish and chip shop owned by her grandmother in Molesworth Street, Rochdale, Lancashire, she made her first stage appearance as a child in 1905. Her two sisters, Edith and Betty, and brother, Tommy, all went on to appear on stage, but Gracie was the most successful. Her professional debut in variety took place at the Rochdale Hippodrome theatre in 1910 and she soon gave up her job in the local cotton mill.
She met comedian Archie Pitt and they began working together. Pitt would come to serve as her manager and the two married in 1923. Their first revue in 1915 was called Yes I think so and the two continued to tour Britain together until 1922 in the revue Mr Tower of London.
Her most famous song, which became her theme, "Sally," was worked into the title of her first cinema film, Sally in Our Alley (1931), which was a major box office hit. She went on to make several films initially in Britain and later in the United States (for which she was paid a record fee of US$200,000 for four films), despite never performing without a live audience.
Ironically, the final few lines of the song 'Sally' were written by her husband's mistress, and Gracie sang this song at nearly every performance she made from 1931 onwards.
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Sally and Other Favourites
Gracie Fields Lyrics
I Took My Harp to a Party Christmas is comin', Christmas is comin' Christmas is comin'…
Sally Sally, Sally, pride of our alley Sally, Sally Don't ever wan…
She Fought Like A Tiger For 'er 'onour She was a country maiden and ′e was the Squire's…
Sing as We Go Hee-hee, come on lads and lassies The factory's opened again…
Wish Me Luck (As You Wave Me Goodbye) Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye Cheerio, here I…
Joe Dredd
on In My Little Bottom Drawer
Gracie Fields's song, "In My Little Bottom Drawer," is a humorous take on the life of a spinster who is all prepared for married life. The lyrics describe a woman who has spent years alone, preparing for her future marriage by hoarding various items that she believes will be necessary. She has saved up a bridal gown, an eiderdown, ribbons, bows, and other odds and ends that are all packed up in her little bottom drawer. She has also bought items for her future children, including a baby's cot, a flower pot, and a bassinet.
The woman's preparations extend beyond her home and family, as she has also bought a set of Priestley's works and a case of eggs from Turks. She has answered every advertisement in the Matrimonial Times and is eager to start her life with her future husband. The lyrics are full of humor, but they also reflect the pressure that society places on women to get married and start a family. The woman in the song has internalized this pressure and feels like she must be fully prepared for every aspect of married life.
Overall, "In My Little Bottom Drawer" is a lighthearted song about a woman who has been waiting so long to meet a man that her continued years as a spinster have allowed her to continue adding to her trousseau beyond practicality and reason.
Joe Dredd
on Wish Me Luck (As You Wave Me Goodbye)
Wish Me Luck as You Wave Me Goodbye is sung from the point of view of a soldier farewelling his girlfriend (or wife) as he leaves for the front. The song was intended to encourage women not to make the men feel sadness and grief as they left home (which would depress morale in the trenches) but to give them cheery goodbyes instead.