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.
Jealous
Billy Vaughn Lyrics
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Because it smiles upon the one I love
I'm jealous of the birdies in the trees
They're always singing sweetest melodies
I'm jealous of the pretty flowers too
I miss the kiss they always get from you
I'm jealous of the tick-tock on the shelf
The lyrics of "Jealous" by Billy Vaughn revolve around the intense feeling of jealousy. The song depicts the singer's jealousy towards the beautiful things that surround his love interest. He is envious of the moon which shines above and smiles upon the one he loves. The moon is a celestial object that is often associated with romance and love, and the singer is envious of it for being in close proximity to his beloved. He is also jealous of the birdies in the trees, who sing sweet melodies that his love listens to. The singer envies the flowers that his beloved kisses and is even jealous of the tick-tock of the clock because it makes him feel like he's running out of time with his love.
Through these lyrics, Vaughn creatively portrays the strong emotion of jealousy that comes with romantic relationships. The song showcases how jealousy can be provoked by small things and how it can even extend to oneself. The singer's jealousy of himself shows the emotional turmoil he is experiencing, making the song quite relatable for people who have been in similar situations.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm jealous of the moon that shines above
I envy the moon for the affection it bestows on the one I love
Because it smiles upon the one I love
It endears them by radiating a shining, tranquil light
I'm jealous of the birdies in the trees
I covet the birds for their ability to serenade with pleasant chirping
They're always singing sweetest melodies
Birds speak to you in charming tunes and among them, my love listens too
I'm jealous of the pretty flowers too
I'm envious of the flowers which are graced with your tender kisses
I miss the kiss they always get from you
I long for the affectionate pecks that they receive from you
I'm jealous of the tick-tock on the shelf
I resent the ticking clock for getting to spend time with you
I'm even getting jealous of myself
I'm starting to envy even my own self, for I am not with you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN J. POWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind