Born Andres Rabaj… Read Full Bio ↴Andy Russell (September 16, 1919 - April 16, 1992)
Born Andres Rabajos in Los Angeles to Mexican immigrant parents, Andy Russell (who took his professional name from one of his idols, Russ Columbo,) acheived his greatest U.S. popularity in the 1940s. As with Columbo and Bing Crosby before him, he started out singing with Gus Arnheim's orchestra at the Cocoanut Grove, but, at only 13, he was so young that Arnheim had to become his legal guardian to permit him to travel out of state.
Possessed of a romantic baritone voice, he sang songs in English and Spanish, his biggest hits being Amor and Besame Mucho (Capitol: 1945). In 1946, he was asked to take the place of Frank Sinatra on the pop music radio program "Your Hit Parade" ( for which Sinatra returned in 1947) which led to increased popularity for the singer. In the early 1950's, Russell appeared on early television with "Your Show Of Shows" with Sid Caesar for NBC, but recorded less frequently. By the early 50's, however, his hits had stopped and Capitol Records began to lose interest in him. Realizing that he commanded more popularity in Mexico than the U.S. he began performing there more frequently.
In the late 1950s, he re-located to Mexico City, and then to Argentina where he had a successful variety show that ran for seven years. He remained a U.S. citizen, however, and still made appearences in the U.S. from time to time. Capitol's Latin American affiliated labels released new material by Andy in the 1960s, after his stint with RCA Victor. He also recorded for Orfeon.
Andy returned to the United States in the late 60s and released two more albums for the parent Capitol label, one of which featured a Billboard Easy Listening Chart hit in 1968. It was a "cover" of label-mate Wynn Stewart's Country hit, It's Such a Pretty World Today, and served as the title song for the LP. Andy also appeared on public television fundraising specials well into the 1980s.
Andy was especially proud of receiving an award from "Nosotros" magazine, acknowledging his special achievements as the first bilingual singer to reach the top of the charts with an Anglo audience and to popularize Latin American songs. He surely paved the way for many other Latino singers, including Vikki Carr and even Ricky Martin!
Andy passed away in Phoenix, Arizona at the age of 72.
Love of My Life
Andy Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Goodnight my love, my moment with you now is ending
It was so heavenly, holding you, close to me
It will be heavenly to hold you again in a dream
The stars above have promised to meet us tomorrow
Till then my love, how dreary the new day will seem
So for the present, dear, we'll have to part
Sleep tight, my love, goodnight, my love
Goodnight my love, your mommy is kneeling beside you
Goodnight my love, to dreamland the sandman will guide you
Come now you sleepyhead, close your eyes, and go to bed
My precious sleepyhead, you mustn't play peek-a-boo
Goodnight my love, your little Dutch dolly is yawning
Goodnight my love, your teddy bear called it a day
Your doggy's fast asleep, my but he's smart
Sleep tight, my love, goodnight my love
The song "Goodnight My Love" is a romantic-poetic number with a hint of parental love. The first verse talks about the end of a moment that was deemed heavenly because of the intimacy shared by the couple. The singer fears that the new day will be dreary without her loved one, and henceforth, they have to part. The second and the final verse shows a transition to a parental figure, a mother, tucking her child to bed. The singer uses terms that mirror the other verse, such as "sleepyhead," "yawning," and "sleep tight." Fondly calling the child "my love" and reminiscing about the little memories they shared, the verse emits a secure and protective vibe.
The lyrics' tone varies from being romantic and dreamy in the first verse to affectionate and solicitous in the second. The melancholic tune of the song deepens as the song progresses but ends with a much lighter tone as the mother tucks her child to bed. A charming melody composed by Percy Faith, and the easily relatable words written by George Motola and John Marascalco account for the song's success. Andy Russell's warm and tender voice embodies the song's essence, perfect for creating a dreamy yet protective ambience.
Line by Line Meaning
Goodnight my love, the tired old moon is descending
As the moon is setting, I bid you goodnight, my love
Goodnight my love, my moment with you now is ending
Our time together has come to an end and I must bid you farewell, my love
It was so heavenly, holding you, close to me
Embracing you was an ethereal experience, holding you so near
It will be heavenly to hold you again in a dream
I long for the dreamlike bliss of holding you once more
The stars above have promised to meet us tomorrow
I look forward to seeing you again under the starlit sky tomorrow
Till then my love, how dreary the new day will seem
Until then, my love, each day without you will be dismal
So for the present, dear, we'll have to part
For now, we must say goodbye, my dear
Sleep tight, my love, goodnight, my love
Sweet dreams, my love. Goodnight, my love
Remember that you're mine sweetheart
Recall always that you belong to me, my beloved
Goodnight my love, your mommy is kneeling beside you
As your mother tucks you in, I say goodnight, my love
Goodnight my love, to dreamland the sandman will guide you
The sandman will escort you to dreamland, as I say goodnight, my love
Come now you sleepyhead, close your eyes, and go to bed
Settle in, you drowsy one. Close your eyes and rest
My precious sleepyhead, you mustn't play peek-a-boo
My dear, don't try to stay up and play. It's time for bed
Goodnight my love, your little Dutch dolly is yawning
Your Dutch doll is sleepy too, my love. Goodnight
Goodnight my love, your teddy bear called it a day
Your teddy bear is ready for bed too, my love. Goodnight
Your doggy's fast asleep, my but he's smart
Even your canine friend slumbers now, he's quite shrewd
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, ANTHEM ENTERTAINMENT LP
Written by: Harry Revel, Mack Gordon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
PAUL VIARDOT
Beau thème de Cole Porter chanté avec délicatesse par Andy Russell et l'orchestre de feu Paul Weston est formidable.
Ruth Boykin
Beautiful.