Born Ezekiel Christopher Montanez in Los Angeles, California, Montez was brought up in Hawthorne, California. His early musical influences included the latino music played and performed by residents of his neighborhood, as well as Ritchie Valens. After the release of the highly successful "Let's Dance" on Monogram Records, Montez spent several years touring with artists such as Sam Cooke, The Platters, and Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, as well as The Beatles, then relatively unknown outside of Liverpool.
Early in 1963, Montez would score another hit with "Some Kinda Fun". Reaching #43 on the charts, the song utilized the same catchy keyboard instrumentation as did "Let's Dance"; fittingly, both were million sellers, and were awarded gold discs. 1963 also saw the release of Montez's only album on Monogram, Let's Dance and Have Some Kinda' Fun!!!. Shortly before Monogram folded, Montez was paired up with Kathy Young, releasing two singles as the duo Chris & Kathy, most notably surf rock classic "Shoot That Curl". While at Monogram, Montez wrote, or co-wrote, several of his own songs, such as "Chiquita Mia", "Let's Do the Limbo" and "No No No".
Two years later, Montez was practically a non-entity in the music business; however, Herb Alpert, co-founder of A&M Records, cordially invited Montez to resume his recording career at A&M. When Montez attempted to replicate his earlier rock 'n' roll success, however, Alpert personally suggested that Montez try a different approach: a middle of the road, soft ballad sound. While not particularly interested in changing his style of music, Montez decided to trust Alpert's instincts.
"Call Me", a cover version of a Petula Clark song, was the first single from his 1966 album, The More I See You / Call Me, earning Montez his biggest hit in years, eventually reaching #22. The song has since become an easy listening standard. The album's title cut, Montez's second single, was a source of confusion for certain radio disc jockeys who were unfamiliar with Montez' past as a rocker; when back-announcing the song, they would often refer to Montez as being female, likely owing to Montez's falsetto singing style. This confusion would be cleared up by the time the album, bearing Montez's pictures on the front and back sleeve, was released.
Montez would record three more albums for A&M: Time After Time (1966), Foolin' Around (1967), and Watch What Happens (1968). Although quite stylistically similar to his first hit album on A&M, they failed to mirror its success, although Time After Time's title cut and "Because of You" both managed to crack the Hot 100. In 1968, Montez departed from A&M on a three-year sabbatical. In 1972, Montez released a big hit single in Brazil, "Loco por ti". By this time, he had returned to his rock roots, albeit with more noticeable pop influence than before.
Two years later, now with CBS Records, Montez released The Best of Chris Montez, a compilation consisting of both old and new material, the newer bearing little to no resemblance to his past hits. While at CBS, he released one more album: Raza: Ay no digas, which fared well in international markets but failed to make an impact in the US. In 1983, Montez released his final album, Cartas de Amor, all of its songs being sung in Spanish. Although his recording career appears to be behind him, Montez is still an active musician, performing to mostly foreign audiences.
In 2008, Frozen Pictures announced plans to make a documentary on Montez's life and career, El viaje musical de Ezekiel Montanez: The Chris Montez Story. The film, focusing on Montez's multi-faceted musical career and considerable influence, has been previewed at several film festivals, but has not seen domestic release.
DAY BY DAY
Chris Montez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And day by day my love seems to grow
There isn't any end to my devotion
It's deeper dear by far than any ocean
I find that day by day you're making all my dreams come true
So come what may I want you to know
I'm yours alone, and I'm in love to stay
The lyrics to Chris Montez's song Day by Day is a heartfelt ode to his deepening love for someone. The repetition of the phrase "day by day" emphasizes the gradual and steady progression of his emotions. The first line of the chorus "Day by day I'm falling more in love with you" sets the tone for the entire song. It portrays the consistency of his love and how it only continues to grow. He declares that his devotion is deeper than any ocean, a symbol of infinity and vastness, to emphasize the enormity of his love.
As the song continues, he expresses his gratitude for how this person is making all his dreams come true. He affirms that he is theirs alone, and his love is here to stay "as we go through the years day by day." Montez's use of the phrase "come what may" indicates that he is willing to go through any challenges that life brings as long as he has this person by his side. The combination of the lyrics and Montez's smooth, soothing voice make Day by Day a perfect love song, one that highlights the strength and depth of his love.
Line by Line Meaning
Day by day I'm falling more in love with you
Every passing day, I find myself becoming more deeply enamored with you.
And day by day my love seems to grow
Each day that passes, my love for you only grows stronger and stronger.
There isn't any end to my devotion
My commitment and dedication to you is unwavering and boundless.
It's deeper dear by far than any ocean
My love for you is immeasurably deeper than the vast expanse of any ocean.
I find that day by day you're making all my dreams come true
I am realizing that every day, you are the one who is fulfilling all of my hopes and aspirations.
So come what may I want you to know
Regardless of what happens in the future, it is important for me to express to you that...
I'm yours alone, and I'm in love to stay
...my heart belongs to you and only you, and I am deeply committed to this love forever.
As we go through the years day by day
In the years to come, we will continue to navigate life's ups and downs together, day by day.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Sammy Cahn, Alex Stordhal, Paul Weston
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Patrick Stocks
Day by day I’m falling more in love with you
And day by day my love seems to grow
There isn’t any end to my devotion
It’s deeper dear by far than any ocean
I find that day by day
You’re making all my dreams come true
So come what May
I want you to know
I’m yours alone
And I’m in love to stay
As we go through the years day by day
I find that day by day
You’re making all my dreams come true
So come what May
I want you to know I’m yours alone
And I’m in love to stay
As we go through the years
We go through the years
Oh, we go through the years day by day
Oh, day by day
MARIA GLAUDENE
MÚSICAS, LINDAS DE OUVIR
Audrey Dean
Eu viajo nessa música linda..❤❤❤❤
MarkinDC
I had only known Chris Montez' "Let's Dance," but this is a real eye-opener for me. Nice, breathy vocals, easy-swinging arrangements, kinda jazzy even, and "grown-up" material. His "second phase" was terrific. THANKS for posting.
Steve Walles
I have this album on CD and this is one of my favorites on it along with the two title tracks! Upbeat yet soothing!
Stella Villanueva
I really like chris montez. In fact I share his songs to my friends and they love it. They feel like dancing!!!
SweetSadie
My brother used to play this on vinyl and we would laugh at his ho-hum voice. However, before you know it, we were tapping our toes and singing along. He carried the tune in his own unique way.
Patrick Stocks
Day by day I’m falling more in love with you
And day by day my love seems to grow
There isn’t any end to my devotion
It’s deeper dear by far than any ocean
I find that day by day
You’re making all my dreams come true
So come what May
I want you to know
I’m yours alone
And I’m in love to stay
As we go through the years day by day
I find that day by day
You’re making all my dreams come true
So come what May
I want you to know I’m yours alone
And I’m in love to stay
As we go through the years
We go through the years
Oh, we go through the years day by day
Oh, day by day
Richard Acevedo
I love this music I wish they'd bring it back I love how he sings it with an upbeat sound it's great
LÚCIA Teodoro
Chris Montez tudo de bom amo amo amo
tubebitch12
His voice is so pure and sweet, reminds me of Michael Franks!