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.
Never on Sunday
Billy Vaughn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A Monday, a Monday is very, very good
Or you can kiss me on a Tuesday
A Tuesday, a Tuesday, in fact I wish you would
Or you can kiss me on a Wednesday
A Thursday, a Friday and Saturday is best
But never, never on a Sunday
A Sunday, a Sunday, 'cause that's my day of rest
Most any day you can be my guest
Any day you say, but my day of rest
Just name the day that you like the best
Only stay away on my day of rest
Oh, you can kiss me on a cool day, a hot day
A wet day, which everyone you choose
Or try to kiss me on a gray day, a May day
A pay day, and see if I refuse
And if you make it on a bleak day
A freak day, a week day, why you can be my guest
But never, never on a Sunday
The lyrics to Billy Vaughn And His Orchestra's song "Never on Sunday" are a humorous and lighthearted cautionary tale about the singer's personal boundaries with his love interest. He tells her that she can kiss him anytime during the week, even suggesting specific days like Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. However, he insists that she must never kiss him on a Sunday, which is his day of rest. He repeats this warning several times in the song, emphasizing the importance of this day to him.
From a deeper perspective, the lyrics can be interpreted as a message about the importance of rest and self-care. The singer recognizes the value of taking time off and recharging, both physically and emotionally. He sets this boundary with his love interest as a way of respecting himself and his needs. This interpretation is supported by the fact that the song was written by Manos Hadjidakis for the 1960 Greek film "Never on Sunday," which was a satirical take on the free-spirited, carefree lifestyle of the people of Greece.
Overall, the lyrics to "Never on Sunday" are a playful reminder that everyone has personal boundaries and limits, and it is important to respect them. The song is a catchy and upbeat tune that has become a classic in the world of easy listening music.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, you can kiss me on a Monday
I am open to affection on any day of the week, even Monday is good enough for me.
Or you can kiss me on a Tuesday
I am even happy to receive kisses on a Tuesday, and in fact, I wish you would.
Or you can kiss me on a Wednesday
My love for you is such that I would even welcome a kiss in the middle of the week.
A Thursday, a Friday and Saturday is best
However, the best days for your sweet and loving kisses are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
But never, never on a Sunday
But please refrain from showing your affection on a Sunday, as that is the day I set aside for rest and worship.
Most any day you can be my guest
You are welcome to come and show me love and affection any day of the week.
Any day you say, but my day of rest
However, please take note that Sunday is my day of rest and I would prefer not to receive any affection on that day.
Just name the day that you like the best
Simply let me know which day you prefer and I am happy to receive your affection that day.
Only stay away on my day of rest
But please make sure to avoid showing love and affection on my day of rest, which is Sunday.
Oh, you can kiss me on a cool day, a hot day
Not only am I open to affection on different days of the week, but I am also happy to receive kisses on any kind of day, such as a cool or hot day.
A wet day, which everyone you choose
I am even open to receiving kisses on a wet and rainy day, or any other day of the week that you prefer.
Or try to kiss me on a gray day, a May day
You can try to give me a kiss on a gloomy, gray day or even on a spring day in May.
A pay day, and see if I refuse
Even on a day when I am busy, such as a payday, I am unlikely to refuse your loving advances.
And if you make it on a bleak day
Even on a sad or dreary day, you are welcome to show your love and affection to me.
A freak day, a week day, why you can be my guest
Even on a strange or unusual day, or on a regular weekday, I am happy to receive your love and affection.
But never, never on a Sunday
The only day to refrain from showing me affection is Sunday, as that is reserved for rest and worship.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Manos Hadjidakis, Billy Towne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joaomonteirosobrinho5972
Isto é tudo que precisamos ouvir, voltamos a nossa infância.
@israelquieroesteservicioen4132
Solo puedo decir que es una hermosa música atraves de los tiempos.
@damasiopereiradecastro2460
Ano de 1959, bairro do Butantã: São Paulo - Brasil. Ficou na minha lembrança essa música tão linda.
@rafaelsalcedoruizpeinado5501
Una de las mejores melodías que he he escuchado
@giseliadefatimafaria7099
Não conhecia mais achei a música muito bonita.❤❤
@mistermagoo8928
El primer tema que escuche, año 1959-1960..y quedo para siempre.
Conservo aún el simple original.
@felixsaulangulolopez6844
Soy amante de la música, de toda clase de música. No concibo la vida sin el sonido traducido en arte. Soy admirador del talento y la sensibilidad de Billy Vaughn. Su sonido me transporta a otra dimensión. Lo escucho desde que su obra se empezó a difundir. Su biografía me parece interesante. Su desaparición me consternó.
@adaojosebrunelli6257
Essa música é maravilhosa, retorno no tempo que não volta mais.
@plan41
Billy Vaughn's orchestrahas never been tiring for me over the last 60-odd years that I have been listening to his beautiful melodies!
@patriciarogek6220
Estás melodías me hablan de momentos especiales ,lleno sentimientos añoranzas