Childhood and rise to success
Born to Solomon and Anna Stein Shore, Jewish immigrants from Russia, she lived in Winchester, Tennessee. When she was two years old, she was stricken with polio (infantile paralysis), a disease that was not handled well at the time. Thankfully, her parents cared enough to provide intensive care for her, and she recovered and overcame the disease. However, she suffered from having a slightly deformed foot and limp, which did not physically impede her. She performed at a night club when she was only 14 years old.
When her mother died unexpectedly of a heart attack, Dinah went to Vanderbilt University, where she participated in many events and activities. She graduated from the university in 1938. She decided to get back into pursuing her career in singing, so she went to New York to audition for orchestras and radio stations. In many of her auditions, she sang the popular song "Dinah." When disc jockey Martin Block could not remember her name, he called her the "Dinah girl," and soon after the name stuck, becoming her stage name. She eventually was hired as a vocalist at radio station WNEW, where she sang with Frank Sinatra. She also recorded and performed with the Xavier Cugat orchestra. Eventually, she got her recording contract with RCA Victor records in 1940.
Career in the 1940s and 1950s
While recording on RCA Victor's Bluebird label, she released her first recording, "Yes, My Darling Daughter" and it became a major hit for her. Dinah's singing came to the attention of Eddie Cantor, and he signed her as a regular on his popular radio show, "Time to Smile", in 1940. Dinah credits him for teaching her self-confidence, comedic timing and the ways of connecting with an audience.
She was a featured vocalist on The Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street and soon became a successful radio and music star with her own radio show in 1943, "Call to Music". Also in 1943, she appeared in her first movie, "Thank Your Lucky Stars". The movie starred Eddie Cantor, and she soon went to another radio show, "Paul Whiteman Presents". During this time, America had been actively involved in World War 2 and Dinah became a popular favorite with the troops, similar to the popularity of Bing Crosby. She was having major record hits, like "I will Walk Alone" and "Blues In the Night", one of her first of many number-one hits to come. To support the troops overseas, who adored her singing, she participated in USO tours to Europe. She met a young actor ready to go into military service named George Montgomery. They married on December 3, 1943. Despite their marriage, Montgomery soon went into service. When he returned from the service, they settled in San Fernando, California. In 1948, their first child was born, a daughter named Messina, and they also adopted a son in 1954 named John David and then moved to Beverly Hills.
Dinah continued appearing in radio shows throughout the 1940s. She performed in radio shows like "Birds Eye-Open House" and "Ford Radio Show". One of her most popular recordings was "Baby It's Cold Outside" with Buddy Clark. The song was covered by many other artists, Ella Fitzgerald for example. Other hits followed this success like "Buttons and Bows" and "The Gypsy". She was a regular with Jack Smith on his radio show on CBS, which ran for 15 minutes. She went into many more movies. As an actress, Shore appeared in many musical films, such as "Belle of the Yukon" and "Up in Arms" (both in 1944), and "Till the Clouds Roll By" (1946). She was also featured in numerous TV movies and series. She lent her musical voice to two Disney films: "Make Mine Music" (1946) and "Fun and Fancy Free" (1947). In early 1946, she moved to another label, Columbia Records. In 1950 she made her television show debut on "The Ed Wynn Show" and also made a guest appearance on Bob Hope's first television show. After being on many other people's television shows, she got her own, "The Dinah Shore Show" in 1951. She did two fifteen minute shows a week for NBC. She won her first Emmy for the show in 1955. The show was sponsored by Chevrolet automobiles. The sponsor's theme song ("See the USA in your Chevrolet") became the singer's signature piece. She continued to appear in Chevrolet advertising through the 1950s.
Later career
From 1970 through 1980, Shore hosted two daytime programs, "Dinah's Place" (1970-1974) on NBC and "Dinah!" (later "Dinah and Friends") in syndication from 1974 through 1980. On her show "Dinah!", she once had the misfortune of interviewing the comedian Andy Kaufman in his Tony Clifton guise. He took deliberate offense at her questions and eventually tipped a pan of eggs over her head. This happened live on the air in front of a huge TV audience and Shore's producers cut to an impromptu commercial as Kaufman was escorted out of the studio.
TV screenshot image
Shore, with her Dixie drawl and demure manner, was always identified with the South, and guests on her shows often commented on it.
Shore won nine Emmys, a Peabody Award and a Golden Globe.
Shore guest starred on "Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special", calling Pee-wee on his picturephone and singing "The 12 Days of Christmas". Throughout the special, Pee-wee walks past the picture phone, only to hear her going past the original 12 days ("...on the 500th day of Christmas...")
Personal life
Shore was married to actor George Montgomery from 1943 to 1962 and had a daughter, Melissa Ann (known today as Melissa Montgomery-Hime, executor of the Dinah Shore Trust and the owner of the rights to most of Shore's television series). Shore later adopted a son, John David 'Jody' Montgomery. After her divorce from Montgomery, she briefly married Maurice Smith. In the early 1970s, Shore had a long and happy public romance with actor Burt Reynolds, who was 20 years her junior. The relationship gave Shore an updated, sexy image, and took some of the pressure off Reynolds in maintaining his image as a ladies' man.
Death and legacy
Dinah Shore died in Beverly Hills, California of ovarian cancer at age 77 (5 days before her 78th birthday). Her ashes were divided and she has two burial sites. Half were interred in the Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City, California and the other half interred at Forest Lawn Cemetery (Cathedral City) near her beloved second home in Palm Springs, California.
Shore's legacy resonates posthumously, with a 1998 album featuring the arrangement skills of Andre Previn combined with the re-releasing of some of her classic recordings like 'April in Paris', and 'My Funny Valentine', garnering moderate success.
I'll Walk Alone
Dinah Shore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Because tell you the truth, I'll be lonely
I don't mind being lonely
When my heart tells me you are lonely, too
I'll walk alone
They'll ask me why and I'll tell them I'd rather
There are dreams I must gather
I'll always be near you
Wherever you are each night
In every prayer
Just whisper I'll hear you
No matter how far so close your eyes
And I'll be there
Please walk alone
But send your love and your kisses to guide me
'Til you're walking beside me
I'll walk alone
Darling
All by myself
I walk alone
The lyrics of Dinah Shore's song I'll Walk Alone exemplify the power of love to keep us connected even when we are physically apart. The singer begins by saying that they will walk alone because, in all honesty, they feel lonely. However, the singer shows that they are willing to bear this loneliness for their loved one, who they believe is also feeling lonely. The singer finds solace in knowing that they share these feelings with their lover.
The lyrics then go on to say that the singer holds onto the dreams they shared with their love. They choose to remain alone and hold onto those dreams, even if it means they must do so by themselves. However, the singer also brings up that their love is never far away from them, as they hold onto their loved one through every prayer. The singer asks their love to continue walking alone, but to send their love and kisses to guide them until they can walk side by side.
Overall, the song communicates that love is never too far out of reach, even in times when we are physically distant from those we love. The singer chooses to walk alone for a time, but holds onto their love and dreams in hopes of reuniting with their loved one.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll walk alone
I'll be alone in the journey of life
Because tell you the truth, I'll be lonely
Actually, I'll be lonely in this walk
I don't mind being lonely
Being alone doesn't bother me
When my heart tells me you are lonely, too
I know your heart is also craving for the love
They'll ask me why and I'll tell them I'd rather
People may question me for being alone but I have my reasons
There are dreams I must gather
I have to achieve my dreams before it's too late
Dreams we fashioned the night you held me tight
Those are the dreams which we cherished together
I'll always be near you
I'll never leave your thoughts
Wherever you are each night
I'll always be there especially at nights
In every prayer
My prayers are always with you
Just whisper I'll hear you
If you call for me, I'll listen
No matter how far so close your eyes
Even when you are far, just close your eyes and feel my presence
And I'll be there
I'll be there with you
Please walk alone
You are free to walk alone
But send your love and your kisses to guide me
Send your love and blessings to make my journey easier
'Til you're walking beside me
Until we walk together in this journey of life
I'll walk alone
If you are not here, I'm ready to walk alone
Darling
My beloved
All by myself
I'm completely alone
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@arthurheroin
They call, no date
I promised you I'd wait
I want them all to know
I'm strictly single old
[Chorus]
I'll walk alone
Because, to tell you the truth, I'll be lonely
I don't mind being lonely
When my heart tells me you are lonely, too
I'll walk alone
They'll ask me why and I'll tell them I'd rather
There are dreams I must gather
Dreams we fashioned the night you held me tight
[Verse 2]
I'll always be near you wherever you are
Each night in every prayer
Just whisper, I'll hear you no matter where you are
So close your eyes and I'll be there
[Chorus 2]
Please walk alone
But send your love and your kisses to guide me
Till you're walking beside me
I'll walk alone
[Outro]
Darling
All by myself
I'll walk alone
(Alone)
@kylerdavis5161
I remember my grandma playing this for me as a kid. She passed tonight, but I know she'll be dancing to this heaven.
@firstsadistictruth
im sorry
@mikesmith7880
your grandma was amazing to show you this please smile when you think of her
@toddchamberlain6507
I'm sorry for your loss. :(
@onyx5512
Memories like this is what makes life such a gift. Sorry about your loss.
@petertaylor3600
Probably the same age as your grandma and I remember it being played over the radio (then). It's about a girl speaking to her man who's overseas fighting. Beautiful, and a beautiful voice.
@JimsJims-ot6ol
Released 80 yrs ago in 1944.. still sounds so good!
@octaviovaldezzimermann5666
oh elizabeth bennet
@carlaalejandramartinezfuen1172
At least I am not the only one here because of her
@axtreegreen4241
Venimos del mismo lugar entonces