He was born in Glasgow, Kentucky, where his father was a barber who loved music and inspired Billy to teach himself to play the mandolin at age 3, while suffering a case of the measles. He went on to learn a number of other instruments.
In 1941, Vaughn joined the United States National Guard for what had been planned as a one-year assignment, but when World War II broke out, he was sent abroad till the war ended in 1945. He decided to make music a career when he was discharged from the army at the end of the war, and attended Western Kentucky State College, now known as Western Kentucky University, majoring in music composition. He had apparently learned barbering from his father, because he did some while studying at Western Kentucky to support himself financially, when he was not able to get jobs playing the piano at local night clubs and lounges. While he was a student there, three other students, Jimmy Sacca, Donald McGuire and Seymour Spiegelman, who had formed a vocal trio, The Hilltoppers, recruited Vaughn to play the piano with them. He soon added his voice to theirs, converting the trio to a quartet. As a member of the group, he also wrote their first hit song, Trying, which charted in 1952.
In 1954 he left the group to join Dot Records in Gallatin, Tennessee as music director. He subsequently formed his own orchestra, which had a big hit in that same year with Melody of Love. He went on to have many more hits over the next decade and a half, and based purely on chart successes, was the most successful orchestra leader of all time.
In the Mood
Billy Vaughn Lyrics
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Simply because you're near me.
Funny, but when you're near me
I'm in the mood for love.
Heaven is in your eyes
Bright as the stars we're under
Oh! Is it any wonder
Why stop to think of whether
This little dream might fade?
We've put our hearts together
Now we are one, I'm not afraid!
If there's a cloud above
If it should rain we'll let it
But for tonight, forget it!
I'm in the mood for love
In “I’m in the Mood for Love" by Billy Vaughn & His Orchestra, the singer is expressing his romantic feelings towards someone who he is close to, claiming that his emotions are solely influenced by their presence. Whenever they are nearby, he's "in the mood for love." The singer then describes how he feels like heaven is in their eyes while they are stargazing, indicating that he is very much in love with this person. He doesn't want to spend any time worrying about the possibility of their relationship ending; in fact, he is quite the opposite. He is confident that their coming together makes them one, and he is not afraid of what lies ahead. The song ends with him stating that even if there are clouds or rain, he's ready to face it because he's "in the mood for love."
The singer's emotions and focus on the person they love are the prominent themes in this song. The song expresses how love can make someone feel alive and how it can be an escape from the troubles of the world. Vaughn's smooth instrumental backing creates a soothing and tender atmosphere, complementing the romantic tone of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm in the mood for love
I am feeling romantic and affectionate
Simply because you're near me.
My love for you is so strong that it brightens up my day just by being in your presence
Funny, but when you're near me
It's strange how a person's proximity affects another person's emotions
Heaven is in your eyes
Your eyes are so mesmerizing that it feels like I'm in heaven
Bright as the stars we're under
The radiance of your eyes is comparable to that of the stars above us
Oh! Is it any wonder
Is it really surprising that I'm feeling so romantic while looking into your eyes?
Why stop to think of whether
There's no point in questioning whether this love is real or not
This little dream might fade?
This love between us could be fleeting, but let's not worry about that for now
We've put our hearts together
We've joined together in love, creating a powerful bond between us
Now we are one, I'm not afraid!
I feel confident in our unity and love, and I am no longer afraid of what may come
If there's a cloud above
Even if we face obstacles or challenges in our relationship
If it should rain we'll let it
We will handle any difficulties that come our way
But for tonight, forget it!
Let's enjoy tonight and focus only on our love, casting aside any and all worries for the time being.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dorothy Fields, Jimmy Mchugh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind