Edwards was born Clifton A. Edwards in Hannibal, Missouri. He left school at age 14 and soon moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he entertained as a singer in saloons. As many places had pianos in bad shape or none at all, Edwards taught himself to play ukulele (then often spelled "ukelele") to serve as his own accompanist (selecting that instrument as it was the cheapest in the music store). He got the nickname "Ukelele Ike" from a club owner who could not remember his name. He got his first break in 1918 at the Arsonia Cafe in Chicago, Illinois, where he performed a tune called "Ja Da", written by the club's pianist, Bob Carleton. Edwards and Carleton made the tune a hit on the vaudeville circuit. Vaudeville headliner Joe Frisco hired Edwards as part of his act, which was featured at the Palace in New York City, the most prestigious theater in vaudeville, and then in the Ziegfeld Follies.
Edwards made his first phonograph records in 1919. He recorded early examples of jazz scat singing in 1922. The following year he signed a contract with Pathé Records. He became one of the most popular singers of the decade, and appeared in several Broadway shows. He recorded, in his distinctive style, many of the pop and novelty hits of the day, such as "California, Here I Come", "Hard Hearted Hannah", "Yes Sir, That's My Baby", and "I'll See You in My Dreams".
In 1925, his recording of "Paddlin’ Madeleine Home" would reach number three on the pop charts. In 1928, his recording of "I Can't Give You Anything but Love" was number one for one week on the U.S. pop singles chart. In 1929, his recording of "Singin' in the Rain" was number one for three weeks. Edwards's own compositions included "(I'm Cryin' 'Cause I Know I'm) Losing You", "You're So Cute (Mama O' Mine)", "Stack O' Lee", "Little Somebody of Mine", and "I Want to Call You 'Sweet Mama'". He also recorded a few "off-color" novelty numbers for under-the-counter sales, including "I'm a Bear in a Lady's Boudoir".
More than any other performer, Edwards was responsible for the soaring popularity of the ukulele in the 1920s. Millions of ukuleles were sold during the decade, and Tin Pan Alley publishers added ukulele chords to standard sheet music. Edwards always played American Martin ukuleles favoring the small soprano model in his early career. In his later years Edwards moved to the sweeter, large tenor ukulele more suited to crooning which was becoming popular in the 1930s.
Edwards' continued to record until shortly before his 1971 death. His last record album, Ukulele Ike, was released posthumously on the independent Glendale label. He reprised many of his 1920s hits, but his then failing health was evident in the recordings
Singin' in the Rain
Cliff Edwards Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What a glorious feeling I'm happy again
I'm laughing at clouds so dark above
The sun's in my heart and I'm ready for love
Let the stormy clouds chase everyone from the place
Come on with the rain, I've a smile on my face
I'll walk down the lane with a happy refrain
And singin' just singin' in the rain
Why am I smilin' and why do I sing?
Why does December seem sunny as Spring?
Why do I get up each morning to start happy
And get up with joy in my heart?
Why is each new task a trifle to do?
Because I am living a life full of you
I'm singin' in the rain, just singin' in the rain
What a glorious feeling I'm happy again
I'm laughing at clouds so dark above
The sun's in my heart and I'm ready for love
Let the stormy clouds chase everyone from the place
Come on with the rain, I've a smile on my face
I'll walk down the lane with a happy refrain
And singin' just singin' in the rain
Cliff Edwards’s song "Singing In the Rain" is a classic ode to happiness and the power of positive thinking. The song describes the feeling of joy and content that comes from simply singing and dancing in the rain. The lyrics depict a person who is so happy that they are "laughing at clouds so dark above" because they have the sun in their heart and are "ready for love." The singer tells the clouds to chase everyone away because they are so content that nothing can bring them down.
The second verse is a reflection on why the singer is so happy. They ask why they sing and why each new task they undertake is easy to accomplish. The answer is that they are living a life full of love, filled with someone who makes everything better. The song is a testament to the power of positivity, and how choosing to approach life with a smile can make all the difference.
Overall, the song is about embracing life with enthusiasm and getting the most out of every moment. It is a love letter to happiness and simple pleasures like walking down the lane, enjoying the rain, and singing songs that lift the soul.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm singin' in the rain, just singin' in the rain
I am joyfully embracing life's challenges and adversities
What a glorious feeling I'm happy again
I am experiencing a moment of pure happiness and contentment
I'm laughing at clouds so dark above
I am finding joy in the face of life's difficulties
The sun's in my heart and I'm ready for love
I am filled with warmth and positivity, and I am open to love
Let the stormy clouds chase everyone from the place
I am not afraid to face challenges and difficult situations head-on
Come on with the rain, I've a smile on my face
I am embracing the challenges of life with a positive attitude and an open heart
I'll walk down the lane with a happy refrain
I am moving through life with a cheerful and optimistic outlook
And singin' just singin' in the rain
I am embracing the beauty and joy of life, even in difficult times
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Arthur Freed, Nacio Herb Brown
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Samantha-xp8cn
Reliving my childhood right now and decided to look up Cliff. I always knew Jiminy Cricket had a familiar voice, but I didn’t realize how many places I’d already heard him! What a talent :)
@crystalfairy912
I'd love to see some animation of Jiminy Cricket singing this!
@zeldafan1942
I wish!
@slit0531
Same
@Samantha-xp8cn
Oh my god yes! What a cute idea. If I had any animation talent, I’d make that happen ASAP :)
@carbootstudios2459
Anyone else imagining Jiminy Cricket reenacting the iconic sequence from the 1952 Singing in the Rain?
@michaeloleary1867
Love it!
@catblacksuperstar
Beautiful words = Beautiful feelings <3
@Dukqs
This song would've given me hope in the great depression
@missluli6496
Awesome!