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.
Yes My Darling Daughter
Dinah Shore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes, yes, yes
I asked her and this is what she told me
Yes, yes, yes
Mother, may I go out dancing? Yes, my darling daughter
Mother, may I try romancing? Yes, my darling daughter
What if there's a moon, mama darling, and it's shining on the water
What if he'll propose, mama darling, when the night is growing shorter?
Mother, what should be my answer? Yes, my darling daughter
Oh mama, oh mama, oh mama, oh mama
What if he should insist on one embrace, mama,
How can I keep him in his place
If his manner becomes a shade improper?
Tell him that your heart belongs to papa
Mother, will it be exciting? Yes, my darling daughter
Mother, do I look inviting? Yes, my darling daughter
If he holds me tight, mama darling, and my knees just turn to water
Mama must I keep on dancing? Yes, my darling daughter
What if he'll persist, mama darling, doing things he hadn't oughta
Mama, what should be my answer? Yes, my darling daughter
The lyrics to Dinah Shore's song "Yes My Darling Daughter" present a conversation between a daughter and her mother. The daughter desires to go out dancing and tries to gain her mother's permission for this activity. The mother consistently responds with "Yes, my darling daughter" to the daughter's inquiries about the various scenarios that could arise during her night of dancing.
The lyrics read like a humorous and witty conversation between mother and daughter. The daughter appears to be attempting to justify her desire to go out and dance with a boy, testing her mother's boundaries and patience. The mother's responses, while always granting permission, also seem to be laced with a strong sense of irony and knowingness.
Overall, the song seems to play with the idea of the parent/child relationship and the push-and-pull dynamic that can exist between them. The daughter wishes to push the boundaries and test the waters, while the mother, while granting permission, also knows what is best for her daughter and is gently guiding her in the right direction.
Line by Line Meaning
I've gotta be good or mama will scold me
I must behave properly, or else my mother will reprimand me
Yes, yes, yes
Affirming agreement with my mother's instructions
Mother, may I go out dancing? Yes, my darling daughter
Asking permission to dance and mother allows
Mother, may I try romancing? Yes, my darling daughter
Asking permission for romantic advances and mother allows
What if there's a moon, mama darling, and it's shining on the water
Thinking about a romantic setting and seeking mother's advice
Mother, must I keep on dancing? Yes, my darling daughter
Asking if I should continue dancing and mother allows
What if he'll propose, mama darling, when the night is growing shorter?
Imagining a proposal and seeking mother's advice
Mother, what should be my answer? Yes, my darling daughter
Asking what my response should be and mother advises to say yes
What if he should insist on one embrace, mama, How can I keep him in his place
Worried about unwanted advances and seeking mother's guidance on avoiding it
Tell him that your heart belongs to papa
Advice from mother to dissuade unwanted advances by mentioning my father's importance
Mother, will it be exciting? Yes, my darling daughter
Asking if the experience will be thrilling and mother agrees
Mother, do I look inviting? Yes, my darling daughter
Questioning if I look attractive and mother confirms it
If he holds me tight, mama darling, and my knees just turn to water
Thinking about being swept away by a romantic gesture and seeking mother's advice
Mama must I keep on dancing? Yes, my darling daughter
Asking if I should stop dancing, but mother insists that I should continue
What if he'll persist, mama darling, doing things he hadn't oughta
Worried about inappropriate behavior and seeking mother's advice
Mama, what should be my answer? Yes, my darling daughter
Asking for advice on how to respond to inappropriate behavior and mother suggests saying yes to leave the situation
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC
Written by: JACK LAWRENCE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ed Fuller
Dinah Shore's parents were from Ukraine and settled in Tennessee. Hence, the potential it may really be Ukrainian originally. Dinah Shore was one class act, and a VERY tough individual. Went to Europe with the USO during the war. She overcame polio. She opened the door for women playing professional golf. And the entire exhibited grace, class and intelligence. We were lucky to have her among us.
Nik Nik
Когда Кантор купил права на адаптированную украинскую народную песню «Ой не ходи, Грицю», новый текст к которой написал Джек Лоуренс, у него даже сомнений не было: ее должна исполнить Дина. Песня Yes, My Darling Daughter впервые прозвучала в эфире 24 октября 1940 года, а уже через месяц ее напевали все жители Америки. За этот короткий срок пластинка разошлась тиражом в полмиллиона экземпляров.
Big Finger
Интересно, у кого он купил права? Подозреваю, что потомки Маруси Чурай не получили ни цента.
1benda2
сама Маруся тоже выдуманный персонаж)
acornsoundsquirrel
I'm shocked that scary movies haven't snatched this song up for their soundtracks.
Columbus Astrid Avenue
Shhhhhh dont let them know about THIS
Marguerite Hudsell
I used to sing this to my daughters. I wonder if they remember...
charles stuart
On honor of my Darling Daughter's Birthday sung by Dinah Shore- High School classmate of her Great Aunts.
vinylsingleman
This was her first Top Ten hit.
James McEwan
Thanks - I have only heard The Andrews Sisters version - youtube is just amazing for finding great music that's years old but you have never heard before