In his day he … Read Full Bio ↴David Whitfield was a popular Tenor of the mid 1950s.
In his day he was fabulously popular and sang to capacity crowds. He appeared on the Ed Sullivan show several times with great aplomb. In the later 1950s his style of singing had to compete with the likes of Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley ,and by the early 1960s had moved into musicals such as "The Desert Song" and "Rose Marie" and recorded classic albums such as "Alone" with his wonderful semi operatic style of singing.
In his day he sang a large range of songs and was sometimes likened to the great Mario Lanza. He just loved travelling, and visited Canada and especially Australia many times. His great hits were those he recorded with Mantovani, his favorite being "When You lose the one you love". Many of his songs were written for his voice alone with well known exceptions being "I Believe" (1953) and "That's When your Heartaches Begin" (1958).
He was and is the most popular British recording artist of the 1950s with a career extending into the 60s and 70s appearing on many quiz programs on Australian television as a special guest.
On the Street Where You Live
David Whitfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But the pavement always stayed beneath my feet before.
All at once am I sev'ral stories high,
Knowing I'm on the street where you live.
Are there lilac trees in the heart of town?
Can you hear a lark in any other part of town?
Does enchantment pour out of ev'ry door?
And oh, the towering feeling
Just to know somehow you are near!
The very powering feeing
that any second you may suddenly appear!
People stop and stare. They don't bother me,
For there's nowhere else on earth that I would rather be.
Let the time go by I won't care if I
Can be here on the street where you live.
The opening line of David Whitfield's song "On the Street Where You Live" creates a sense of familiarity as the singer has walked down this street several times before. However, in this particular moment, something is different. The pavement feels unfamiliar and the singer is on a high. The sudden change in the singer's mood is due to the fact that they are on the street where their love interest lives. This street holds a lot of significance for the singer because the love of their life resides there.
As the song progresses, the singer questions if this street is enchanted or if it's just their imagination. The imagery of lilac trees and larks signifies the romanticism of the street, and the singer's belief that enchantment does indeed pour out of every door. The chorus emphasizes the singer's feelings of being near to their love interest, and the power that these feelings hold. They are willing to let time pass by just to stay on the street where their love interest lives.
The final verse adds more depth to the song, as the singer acknowledges the stares of the people around them. The singer's love for their significant other is so overpowering that they do not care for the opinions of those around them. This demonstrates the strength of the singer's feelings and the importance that this street holds in their life.
Line by Line Meaning
I have often walked down this street before
I have taken this route many times
But the pavement always stayed beneath my feet before.
The ground has always been solid and reliable
All at once am I sev'ral stories high,
I suddenly feel elevated and full of joy
Knowing I'm on the street where you live.
Because I am on the street where you live, my emotions have been heightened
Are there lilac trees in the heart of town?
I am wondering if this town has lilac trees in the center
Can you hear a lark in any other part of town?
I am contemplating if this town has birds singing elsewhere
Does enchantment pour out of ev'ry door?
I am questioning if magic flows out of each door in the town
No, it's just on the street where you live.
The enchantment only exists because I am on the street where you live
And oh, the towering feeling
The feeling I am experiencing is overwhelming
Just to know somehow you are near!
Understanding that you are in the area brings me great comfort
The very powering feeing
The feeling is so strong it is difficult to put into words
that any second you may suddenly appear!
I cannot wait for the possibility of seeing you suddenly around any corner
People stop and stare. They don't bother me,
I am not bothered by the attention I am receiving from people
For there's nowhere else on earth that I would rather be.
This is the only place I wish to be on this planet
Let the time go by I won't care if I
Regardless of how much time passes, it won't matter to me
Can be here on the street where you live.
Being on the street where you reside is enough for me
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bobbieparker2900
I loved going to see David Whitfield in the 50.s
@patriciatulloch4252
David was loved by my mom and now by me what a truly beautiful voice he had
@tuckerthetaffy3563
what a voic3 my mum used to sing to him every sunday ,i can still hear her now,i am 72 my brother used to sing,in the club ,,his rendition of mama used to stop the place dead quite what lovely memories istill shed a tear when i hear that voice,GOD BLESS YOU DAVID rayo tucker
@brendasmith9302
Brings back beautiful memories for me I was only young.
@CoralieSpencer1
what a voice , for a bricklayer , as my partner is .. my sister loved his voice as well !! sadly she passed , and i always think of her , hearing his inimatable voice !! sheer magic...goosepimples!!
@nickgov66
Why mention that he was a bricklayer? Matt Munro was a bus driver.
@darenfinan2192
Not many singing voices like his around these days. Beautiful and inspiring.
@Michaelbos
Beautifully done from David
@unperplexed
memories of my lovely Mam, who was born in Hull and loved to hear David Whitfield
@vickycat1
Just had to look this up as i keep hearing it on new Mcdonalds advert,one of my mums favourite singers,can remember hearing mum and dad playing it when i was little,childhood memories never forgotten,and mum and dad never far away from my thoughts x x x x