Harrison studied singing in New York City with noted voice teacher Frederick Bristol and organist Leo Kofler. In 1911 he began recording for the Columbia Phonograph Company, making a number of recordings that were popular hits of the day: "Peg O’ My Heart" (1913), "Ireland Must Be Heaven for My Mother Came from There" (1916), and "I’m Always Chasing Rainbows" (1918). He also recorded an extensive operatic and concert song repertoire in English for Columbia, Victor, Edison (on both cylinder and disc), Emerson and other companies.
At the same time as his solo performances, he performed as a member of several quartets recording for Columbia. Among the quartets he sang with was the Columbia Stellar Quartet and the American Singers, the latter during the early electric era. Also on a few occasions, he sang with the Revelers, most notably on their recordings of "Honolulu Moon" and "Yankee Girl." His distinct and riveting tenor caused Victor Records to advertise him as "a voice in a million." His career slowed with the advent of electrical recording, and his later solo records were almost entirely for Edison.
Charles Harrison was married to Beulah Gaylord Young, another pioneer recording artist. They performed together as members of the Eveready Mixed Quartet on The Eveready Hour.
Beginning in 1930, Harrison performed on the Broadway stage in the plays This One Man, Precedent, The Sellout and One More Honeymoon.
He lived in Summit, New Jersey, and later moved to nearby New Providence, where he spent his final years and even recorded an LP in 1954 at the age of 75 entitled, "Charles Harrison Sings Again." Charles Harrison recorded mostly under his own name, but also used Billy Burton and other pseudonyms when recording for smaller labels.
I'm Always Chasing Rainbows
Charles Harrison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Watching clouds drifting by
My schemes are just like all my dreams
Ending in the sky
Some fellows look and find the sunshine
I always look and find the rain
Some fellows make a winning sometimes
I never even make a gain
Waiting to find a little bluebird in vain
I'm always chasing rainbows
Watching clouds drifting by
My schemes are just like all my dreams
Ending in the sky
Some fellows look and find the sunshine
I always look and find the rain
Some fellows make a winning sometimes
I never even make a gain
Believe me, I'm always chasing rainbows
The lyrics to Charles Harrison's song "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" speak to the idea of always striving for something that is just out of reach. The metaphor of chasing rainbows is used to convey the idea that no matter how hard one tries, they will never be able to capture the elusive goal they are desperate to attain. The singer in the song seems to be constantly chasing after something that is unattainable, always watching as their hopes and dreams disappear into the sky.
Throughout the song, the singer contrasts themselves with "some fellows" who are able to find joy and success in life, while they are perpetually stuck in a cycle of disappointment and frustration. The lines "Some fellows make a winning sometimes/I never even make a gain" emphasize the singer's feeling of perpetual inadequacy, as they watch others succeed while they continue to struggle.
While the lyrics to "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" can be seen as melancholic, they also convey an important lesson about the importance of accepting one's own limitations and finding happiness in the present moment. The constant pursuit of something unattainable can lead to a lifetime of disappointment, while embracing the beauty of the here and now can lead to a more fulfilled life.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm always chasing rainbows
I am constantly attempting to achieve unrealistic and unattainable goals.
Watching clouds drifting by
I spend my time daydreaming and not taking action towards my goals.
My schemes are just like all my dreams
My plans for success are as unrealistic as my dreams.
Ending in the sky
My plans and dreams never come to fruition and are never achieved.
Some fellows look and find the sunshine
Other people are successful and find happiness and positivity in their lives.
I always look and find the rain
I always see the negatives and difficulties in my life and situations.
Some fellows make a winning sometimes
Other people may experience success occasionally.
I never even make a gain
I am unable to achieve any form of success or make any progress towards my goals.
Believe me, I'm always chasing rainbows
I assure you that I am always pursuing unrealistic and unachievable goals.
Waiting to find a little bluebird in vain
I am waiting for an opportunity or a sign of hope that will never come.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HARRY CARROLL, JOSEPH JOE MC CARTHY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jonathan3372
LYRICS:
At the end of the rainbow there’s happiness
And to find it how often I’ve tried
But my life is a race just a wild goose chase
And my dreams have always been denied
Why have I always been a failure?
What can the reason be?
I wonder if the world’s to blame
I wonder if it could be me?
I'm always chasing rainbows
Watching clouds drifting by
My schemes are just like all my dreams
Ending in the sky
Some fellows look and find the sunshine
I always look and find the rain
Some fellows make a winning some time
I never even make a gain, believe me
I'm always chasing rainbows
Waiting to find a little bluebird in vain
Some fellows look and find the sunshine
I always look and find the rain
Some fellows make a winning some time
I never even make a gain, believe me
I'm always chasing rainbows
Waiting to find a little bluebird in vain
@i_will_not_elaborate
•Lyrics•
At the end of the rainbow there's happiness,
And to find it how often I've tried,
But my life is a race, just a wild goose chase,
And my dreams have all been denied.
Why have I always been a failure?
What can the reason be?
I wonder if the world's to blame,
I wonder if it could be me.
I'm always chasing rainbows,
Watching clouds drifting by,
My schemes are just like all my dreams,
Ending in the sky.
(2X)
Some fellows look and find the sunshine,
I always look and find the rain.
Some fellows make a winning sometime,
I never even make a gain, believe me,
I'm always chasing rainbows,
Waiting to find a little bluebird in vain.
@Dill_Pickle1997
Over 100 years later and this song is still covered fondly
@florjanbrudar692
Still covered? Are you serious?
@invisibleink5397
@Florjan Brudar yeah its covered in the youtube show Hazbin hotel
@abbyrosie1554
Florjan Brudar yeah in hazbin hotel
@HyperkalemiaSineWave
@Florjan Brudar it’s the pilot song to Hazbin Hotel, where they did a slightly different take on it, having the protagonist sing a shortened version. It’s also slightly more somber and defeated than most versions
@jonathan3372
LYRICS:
At the end of the rainbow there’s happiness
And to find it how often I’ve tried
But my life is a race just a wild goose chase
And my dreams have always been denied
Why have I always been a failure?
What can the reason be?
I wonder if the world’s to blame
I wonder if it could be me?
I'm always chasing rainbows
Watching clouds drifting by
My schemes are just like all my dreams
Ending in the sky
Some fellows look and find the sunshine
I always look and find the rain
Some fellows make a winning some time
I never even make a gain, believe me
I'm always chasing rainbows
Waiting to find a little bluebird in vain
Some fellows look and find the sunshine
I always look and find the rain
Some fellows make a winning some time
I never even make a gain, believe me
I'm always chasing rainbows
Waiting to find a little bluebird in vain
@florjanbrudar692
It's ALL been denied
@christopherfritz3840
Came to your post 👏 after watching the ending credits of Part 3, "Mildred Pierce" (HBO 2011)
@saturn2055
Thanks creators of Hazbin Hotel for giving this old song some new life
@user-qs9iu9vw4x
The song is probably older than most Hazbin Hotel fans.