Origin Mt. Airy, North Carolina, U.S… Read Full Bio ↴Born November 10, 1945 (1945-11-10)
Origin Mt. Airy, North Carolina, U.S.
Genre(s) Country pop
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, Author
Instrument(s) Vocals, guitar
Years active 1967 β present
Label(s) Ramco Records
Challenge Records
Dot Records
Warner Bros. Records
Songbird Records
RCA Records
Mercury Records
Cleveland Records
Associated acts Billy Joe Royal
Website Official Fan Club Site
Donna Fargo (born Yvonne Vaughan on November 10, 1945 in Mount Airy, North Carolina) is an American country music singer-songwriter, who is best-known for a series of Top 10 Country hits in the 1970s. This includes "The Happiest Girl In the Whole USA" and "Funny Face", which both became major crossover Pop hits in 1972.
Fargo has won major awards since her debut in the late 60s, including one Grammy award, five awards from the Academy of Country Music and one award from the Country Music Association.
Early career before music
Donna Fargo was born in Mount Airy, North Carolina in 1945. Fargo had been singing since her early years, but never thought about singing professionally. Fargo attended High Point College, then headed west to study at the University of Southern California. After getting her degree, she became a high school teacher in Covina, California, progressing to head of the English Department. [1] While in California, she met Stan Silver, who became her manager when Fargo was performing in California clubs and first seeking a career in music. At this point, Fargo was still teaching. Fargo and Silver eventually married.
Career discovery
She soon started to appear around L.A. while teaching. She went to Phoenix in 1966, adopted the name "Donna Fargo", and recorded her first single. Her first major show was with Ray Price and she began playing in Southern California. [2] Fargo recorded for a few small labels in the early '60s, including Ramco and Challenge, but songs like "Who's Been Sleeping on My Side of the Bed" didn't catch fire.[3] Although her original singles were not successful, the Academy of Country Music Awards named her the "Top New Female Vocalist" award in 1969 anyway. In 1972, Fargo recorded a single for the Decca label before achieving her breakthrough later that year.
Country music career
1972 β 1978: Breakthrough
In 1972 one of Fargo's self-penned songs, "The Happiest Girl In the Whole USA" was picked up by Dot Records. Fargo was then signed to the label, and the single was released the same year. She was one of the few female country singers to write her own material at the time, and one of the few country singers to cross over to the Pop charts in a big way, which she did in 1972 with "The Happiest Girl in the Whole U.S.A." (number 11). [4] The song also became a major Country hit, peaking at #1 in 1972. An album of the same name was also released following the song's success, which was also quite successful as was certified "Gold" by the RIAA in early 1973 for selling over 500,000 copies. The follow-up single, "Funny Face" also peaked at #1 on the Billboard Country Chart, and became an ever bigger Pop hit than her previous single, peaking at #5. Both singles were certified "Gold" by the end of the year.
She never made the pop Top 40 again, but placed over a dozen more singles in the country Top Ten in the '70s, most written by herself. [5] Fargo's second album, My Second Album, released in 1973, peaked at #1 on the "Top Country Albums" chart and spawned two singles, both of which were #1 Country hits, "Superman" and "You Were Always There", which both charted on the Pop charts. Fargo remained successful with her third album, also released in 1973, All About Feeling, which released two Top 10 Country hits, "Little Girl Gone" and "I'll Try a Little Bit Harder". The same year, the Grammy awards awarded Fargo the Best Female Country Vocal Performance award for "The Happies Girl in the Whole USA". She was also named "Top Female Vocalist" by the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Fargo ultimately became the fifth most successful female country artist of the 1970s, according to Billboard, behind Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, and Lynn Anderson.
For a better part of the 70s, Fargo stayed high on the charts with songs like "You Were Always There", "It Do Feel Good", and "Mr. Doodles." [6] Fargo had another successful album with Dot in 1974 releasing Miss Donna, which spawned three Top 10 hits, including "You Can't Be a Beacon if You're Light Don't Shine", which peaked at #1 on the Billboard Country Chart. Dot Records was acquired by ABC and the was a noticeable drop-off in chart placings and in 1976, she moved to Warner Bros. Records. [7] In 1976 however, she returned on Warner Bros. with the On the Move album, which brought two Top 20 hits to Fargo. The next year her next album, Fargo Country was released. The album spawned her first #1 Country hit since 1974, "That Was Yesterday", followed by another Top 10 Country hit, "Mockingbird Hill", which peaked at #9 on the Billboard Country Chart in 1977. Fargo's 1978 album, Shame on Me also yielded two Top 10 hits, the title track and "Do I Love You", which peaked at #2.
Recognized as one of the leading country songwriters of the era, Fargo's songs have been recorded by Tammy Wynette, Sonny James, Kitty Wells, Tanya Tucker, Jody Miller, Marty Robbins, Dottie West and other artists. Additionally, almost everything Fargo recorded for years was self-penned.
She briefly had her own TV special (produced by the Osmond Brothers), which ran for a year, beginning in 1978. [8] Fargo is one of only five country female vocalists to have their own television series. Kitty Wells in 1968 and Dolly Parton in 1976) were the first. Barbara Mandrell and Reba McEntire are the other two who have had shows since the Fargo series.
1979: Multiple sclerosis problems
In 1978, Fargo found was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She was down for a while, but with medical advice and her husbands support, Donna made it back, returning to a limited schedule in 1979 and another Top 10 hit. For the next few years the successes came at a lower level. [9] Although the illness caused a serious decline in her promotional work, Fargo vowed to not let the disease ultimately get to her. In 1979 She recorded a new album, Just for You, which spawned 1 Top 40 hit, "Daddy", a song Fargo had recorded ten years before. The song peaked at #14 in 1979. The follow-up, "Preacher Berry" peaked outside the Country Top 40.
1980 β 1991: Career decline
Fargo released one more album with Warner Bros. in 1980, before switching to the smaller "Songbird" label in 1981. She recorded a well-received Gospel album in 1981 for MCA/Songbird and in 1982 she moved to RCA. [10] Fargo singles charted off RCA in 1983 and 1984, and she recorded one album for the label in 1983. She recorded a single for Columbia records in 1983, as well for Cleveland records in 1984. By now, Fargo's career began to decline in terms of album sales and chart placements.
After several other label changes, Donna signed with Mercury and began another upswing. [11] She recorded an album with the label, Winners, which resulted in three singles spawned from the album, including a Top 30 hit, "Me and You". Fargo also dueted with Billy Joe Royal for her next single, "Members Only". The song became a Top 25 Country hit in 1987, peaking at #23. In 1991, she released the song, "Soldier Boy", a reference to the Gulf War at the time. The song was Fargo's last charting single.
Fargo has since not released another studio since 1986. In 1992, she began work on her autobiography. [12]
Writing career
Since having left recording albums and singles, Fargo has since pursued other careers outside of the music business. She has since established a successfuyl line of greeting cards in The Donna Fargo Collection through the Blue Mountain Arts Poets and Artists series. She has just finished another book. [13] More recently, Fargo has released another series of poem books, including Turst in Yourself, To the Love of My Life, and Ten Golden Rules. Fargo sells her books at her official website.
Awards
Year Award Award Program
1969 Academy of Country Music Awards Top New Female Vocalist
1972 Top Female Vocalist
Song of the Year; "The Happiest Girl In the Whole USA"
Single of the Year; "The Happiest Girl In the Whole USA]]"
Album of the Year; The Happiest Girl In the Whole USA
Country Music Association Awards Single of the Year; "The Happiest Girl In the Whole USA"
1973 Grammy Awards Best Female Country Vocal Performance; "The Happiest Girl In the Whole USA"
Biillboard Awards Top All-Around Female Vocalist-Songwriter
BMI Awards Song of the Year
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donna_Fargo
[edit] References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donna_Fargo
^ Donna Fargo at Birthplace of Country Music.com; profile
^ Donna Fargo at Birthplace of Country Music.com; profile
^ Wolff, Kurt (2000). In Country Music: The Rough Guide. Orla Duane, Editor. London: Rough Guides Ltd. p. 435.
^ Donna Fargo biography at CMT.com; retrieved April 3, 2008
^ Donna Fargo biography at CMT.com
^ Wolff, Kurt (2000). In Country Music: The Rough Guide. Orla Duane, Editor. London: Rough Guides Ltd. p. 436.
^ Birthplace of Country Music's profile on Donna Fargo
^ Wolff, Kurt (2000). In Country Music: The Rough Guide. Orla Duane, Editor. London: Rough Guides Ltd. p. 436.
^ Donna Fargo at Birthplace of Country Music.com
^ Donna Fargo at Sing 365.com
The Happiest Girl In The Whole U.S.A.
Donna Fargo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Walk with me world
It's a skippidity do da day
I'm the happiest girl, in the whole U.S.A.
Good morning morning
Hello sunshine
Wake up sleepy head
Just one more minute
That's why we moved it
One more hug would do
Do you love waking up next to me
As much as I love waking up next to you
You make the coffee
I'll make the bed
I'll fix your lunch
And you fix mine
Now tell me the truth
Do these old shoes look funny
Honey it's almost nine
Now you be careful
Gotta go, I love you
Have a beautiful day,
And kiss the happiest girl, in the whole U.S.A.
Skippidity do da
Thank you oh Lord for making him for me
And thank you for letting life turn out the way
That I always thought it could be
There once was a time when I could not imagine
How it would feel to say
I'm happiest girl, in the whole U.S.A
Now shine on me sunshine
Walk with me world
It's a skippidity do da day
I'm the happiest girl, in the whole U.S.A.
Shine on me sunshine
Walk with me world
It's a skippidity do da day
I'm the happiest girl, in the whole U.S.A.
Shine on me sunshine
Walk with me world
It's a skippidity do da day
I'm the happiest girl, in the whole U.S.A.
Donna Fargo's "The Happiest Girl In The Whole USA" is an upbeat, cheerful declaration of joy and gratitude. The catchy chorus "Shine on me sunshine, walk with me world, it's a skippidity do da day, I'm the happiest girl in the whole U.S.A." leaves a lasting impression on the listener.
The opening verse describes a happy and carefree morning between two lovers who share tasks of the day, such as making coffee and fixing lunches. They express their affection for each other and acknowledge their appreciation for the life they live. The second verse is a thank you to God for the presence of her partner in her life and for the unexpected blessings she has received.
The song speaks to the simplicity of happiness and contentment in everyday life. The lyrics portray an idealized vision of domestic bliss that appeals to the listener's innermost desires for love and connection. The song is a celebration of life, love, and the beauty of everyday moments.
Line by Line Meaning
Shine on me sunshine
May everything be bright and positive for me today
Walk with me world
Let's go through the day together, world
It's a skippidity do da day
It's a bright and cheerful day, full of possibilities
I'm the happiest girl, in the whole U.S.A.
I am extremely happy and content with my life
Good morning morning
Salutations to the new day
Hello sunshine
Greetings, sun
Wake up sleepy head
Get up from your slumber, my dear
Why'd we move that bojangle clock so far away from the bed
I miss the old clock that was closer to us
Just one more minute
Can we stay in bed a bit longer?
That's why we moved it
We moved the clock further away so we wouldn't snooze too much
One more hug would do
If I could have just one more embrace from you
Do you love waking up next to me
Do you feel as happy as I do when waking up next to each other?
As much as I love waking up next to you
I feel very lucky and happy waking up next to you
You make the coffee
You prepare the coffee for us
I'll make the bed
I'll tidy up the bed
I'll fix your lunch
I'll prepare your lunch for you
And you fix mine
And you'll prepare mine for me
Now tell me the truth
Please be honest with me
Do these old shoes look funny
Do these shoes look strange on me?
Honey it's almost nine
My love, it's nearly time to start our day
Now you be careful
Please take care of yourself
Gotta go, I love you
I have to leave now, but I love you
Have a beautiful day,
I hope you have a wonderful day
And kiss the happiest girl, in the whole U.S.A.
Give my regards to the happiest person in the country
Thank you oh Lord for making him for me
I am grateful to God for bringing my partner into my life
And thank you for letting life turn out the way
I am thankful for the way my life has turned out
That I always thought it could be
The life I imagined for myself has come true
There once was a time when I could not imagine
There was a time when I couldn't believe what was happening to me
How it would feel to say
I couldn't imagine being able to say
I'm happiest girl, in the whole U.S.A
That I am the happiest person in the entire country
Lyrics Β© MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: DONNA FARGO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Beetsbaby
Donna Fargo was my English teacher as a Freshman in high school, but we knew her as Yvonne Silver then. I remember she played this song for us in class one day before it was released. We kids, not being into country music, just sat there like "Huh'?, giggled, & didn't quite know what to say. That was her last year teaching. Of course, "Happiest Girl" hit the charts & her career took off. Ms. Silver was a great teacher-fun, energetic, kind, beautiful-and made a truly fond high school memory.
@darreljohnson3644
The second coolest schoolteacher ever!!#1 is Marv and Rindi Ross (Quarterflash).......
@dkereopa
That's so cool! :-)
@jimrochford71
How cool, thanks for sharing π
@bethlarson7144
You read that from Wikipedia liar
@VirgilDavis
Cool!
@dianapatrick4482
WOW! Almost brings tears to my eyes hearing this.. I was a little girl who lived in poverty but I would sing this song and I forgot for a moment all bad things and I was the happiest girl in the whole USA :-) thank you Donna Fargo :-)
@javiersmith4079
Hello Diana
@buckcheep
Let me guess, you had a coat of many colors also.....
@Ladybhive71
Dolly could have sung this two!