He was born as William Thomas Murray in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of immigrants from Ireland. He became fascinated with the theater and joined a traveling vaudeville troupe in 1893. He also performed in minstrel shows early in his career. He made his first recordings for a local phonograph cylinder company in San Francisco, California in 1897. He started recording regularly in the New York City and New Jersey area in 1903, when the nation's major record companies as well as the Tin Pan Alley music industry were concentrated there.
In 1906 he waxed the first of his popular duets with Ada Jones. He also performed with Aileen Stanley, the Haydn Quartet, the Premier Quartet, and the American Quartet (the latter two actually being the same group), in addition to his solo work.
He had a strong tenor voice with excellent enunciation and a more conversational delivery than common with bel canto singers of the era. On comic songs he often deliberately sang slightly flat, which he felt helped the comic effect.
While he often performed romantic numbers and ballads which sold well at the time, his comedy and novelty song recordings continue to be popular with later generations of record collectors.
Murray's popularity faded with changes in public taste and recording technology; the rise of the electric microphone in the mid 1920s coincided with the rise of the crooners. His "hammering" style, as he called it, essentially yelling the song into the recording horn, did not work in the electronic era, and it took him some time to learn how to soften his voice. While he continued to work, his singing style was considered "dated" and less in demand. In the late 1920s and early 1930s he also did voices for animated cartoons, especially the "follow the bouncing ball" type which incorporated songs from his salad days. He also did radio work.
Murray made his last recordings in 1943 and retired to Freeport, Long Island, New York in 1944. He died in nearby Jones Beach.
I`ll See You In C-U-B-A
Billy Murray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Not So Far From Here
There's a very lively atmosphere
Everybody's going there this year,
And there's a reason, the season
Opened last July,
Ever Since the U.S.A. went dry,
Everybody's going there and I'm going too.
REFRAIN:
I'm on my way to Cuba,
That's where I'm going,
Cuba, that's where I'll stay.
Cuba, where wine is flowing,
And where dark-eyed Stellas
Light their feller's panatellas,
Cuba, where all is happy,
Cuba, where all is gay,
Why don't you plan a wonderful trip to Havana?
Hop on a ship and I'll see you in C-U-B-A.
VERSE TWO:
Take a friend's advice,
Drinking in a cellar isn't nice,
Anybody who has got the price,
Should be a Cuban,
Have you been longing for the smile
That you haven't had for quite a while,
If you have then follow me and I'll show the way.
The song "I'll See You in C-U-B-A" by Billy Murray describes the excitement surrounding the popularity of Cuba as a tourist destination during the 1920s. The song begins by referencing how the lively atmosphere of Cuba is not far from where the singer and his friends reside. The reason for Cuba's popularity was due to the opening of the season in July, followed by the United States' decision to go dry. It was believed that Cuba was one of the few places where people could still find and enjoy wine. The singer also mentions the allure of dark-eyed Stellas, who would light their partners' panatellas (cigars). The song suggests that Cuba is a place where everyone is happy and gay.
In the second verse, the singer advises listeners not to settle for drinking in cellars and encourages them to join him in Cuba. He also mentions that after a long time, people might be longing for a smile that they have forgotten. Cuba is a place where one can find that happiness and lightness of spirit.
The lyrics of the song offer a reflection on the social and political climate of the early 20th century. The United States had recently gone "dry" with prohibition, which meant that the production, sale, and consumption of liquor was prohibited. However, in Cuba, alcohol was still readily available, which made it a popular destination for Americans who wished to partake.
Line by Line Meaning
Not So Far From Here
The place being referred to is not very far from here.
There's a very lively atmosphere
The atmosphere at the place is very lively.
Everybody's going there this year,
Everyone is planning to go there this year.
And there's a reason, the season
There is a reason why everyone is going there this season.
Opened last July,
The place opened in July.
Ever Since the U.S.A. went dry,
Since the USA went dry, people are going to this place.
Everybody's going there and I'm going too.
Since everyone is going there, the singer is going too.
I'm on my way to Cuba,
The singer is going to Cuba.
That's where I'm going,
Cuba is the destination of the singer.
Cuba, that's where I'll stay.
The singer plans to stay in Cuba.
Cuba, where wine is flowing,
In Cuba, wine is easily available.
And where dark-eyed Stellas light their feller's panatellas,
In Cuba, women are smoking panatellas for their men.
Cuba, where all is happy,
Cuba is a happy place.
Cuba, where all is gay,
Cuba is a lively and cheerful place.
Why don't you plan a wonderful trip to Havana?
Plan a trip to Havana and have a great time.
Hop on a ship and I'll see you in C-U-B-A.
Get on a ship and the singer will see you in Cuba.
Take a friend's advice,
The singer is advising the listener to take a friend's advice.
Drinking in a cellar isn't nice,
Drinking in a wine cellar is not a good experience.
Anybody who has got the price,
Anyone who can afford the trip should go there.
Should be a Cuban,
One should feel like a Cuban after going to Cuba.
Have you been longing for the smile
Have you been wanting to smile more?
That you haven't had for quite a while,
The listener hasn't smiled in quite some time.
If you have then follow me and I'll show the way.
If the listener wants to smile again, they should follow the singer to Cuba.
Writer(s): Irving Berlin
Contributed by Ryan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mullahbaksheesh9151
"I'm on My Way to Cuba" (1920) composed by Irving Berlin (born Israel Beilin; Yiddish: ישראל ביילין; 1888 - 1989)
Sung by Desiderio Alberto Arnaz y de Acha III "Desi Arnaz" (1917 - 1986)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSSXDUd9I-o
Not so far from here
There's a very lively atmosphere
Everybody's going there this year
And there's a reason, the season never closes there
Love and music you'll find everywhere
People always having fun down there, so come along
I'm on my way to Cuba
That's where I'm going
Cuba, that's where I'll stay
Cuba, where wine is flowing
And where dark eyed Stellas
Light the fella's Panatellas
Cuba, where all is happy
Cuba, where all is gay
Why don't you plan a wonderful trip to
Havana, hop on a ship and I'll see you in C-U-B-A
Why don't you plan a wonderful trip to
Havana, hop on a ship and I'll see you in C-U-B-A
@MikeBlitzMag
Billy Murray was the biggest selling recording artist of the first quarter of the 20th century, and with good reason. More than 400 hits featuring that amazing, versatile voice, which could master so many different genres with perfection and conviction that puts almost all others to shame. And then there's his ensemble work with the various quartets and the Heidelburg Quintet.. We were not worthy! He is greatly, greatly missed.
@traceydunne7854
Such a shame he's virtually forgotten
@traceydunne7854
@@Billy219 Of course he still has fans but I'm probably his only fan in my city and and I live in quite a big city
@67MrJake
it took me ages to find this song mission accomplished
@frozemoments7873
Jake Walt I just found this in a stack of old records I’ve had since I was a kid. Victor Talking Machine Co. 😳. I’m 41 now. It’s in Prestine condition.
@luisbohorquez7096
Ha ha nice 😁..🤙Same .. lol 😄
@Corrie121
I just love this song. The lyric is so clever. This is a great version of it. Thanks for sharing.
@tycrump3581
I love these old songs like this so lively and time period appropriate. Watching #BoardwalkEmpire and aside from the old time gangster era of the show, I also love all these old songs which I first heard watching many Loony Tune Bugs Bunny cartoons as a child.
@johngalvin6010
Great song, great lyrics haven't heard it for a couple of weeks. Thank you Irving Berlin for a 20s classic.
@MrManorAvenue
Wonderful! I'd not heard the second chorus lyrics about the Scotch and rye on the table and drinking until I won't be able to see you in C-U-B-A!