Day's film career began during the latter part of the Classical Hollywood Film era with the 1948 film Romance on the High Seas, and its success sparked her twenty-year career as a motion picture actress. She starred in a series of successful films, including musicals, comedies, and dramas. She played the title role in Calamity Jane (1953), and starred in Alfred Hitchcock's The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) with James Stewart. Her most successful films were the bedroom comedies she made co-starring Rock Hudson and James Garner, such as Pillow Talk (1959) and Move Over, Darling (1963), respectively. She also co-starred in films with such leading men as Clark Gable, Cary Grant, David Niven, and Rod Taylor. After her final film in 1968, she went on to star in the CBS sitcom The Doris Day Show (1968–1973).
Day was usually one of the top ten singers between 1951 and 1966. As an actress, she became the biggest female film star in the early 1960s, and ranked sixth among the box office performers by 2012. In 2011, she released her 29th studio album, My Heart, which became a UK Top 10 album featuring new material. Among her awards, Day has received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a Legend Award from the Society of Singers. In 1960, she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress, and in 1989 was given the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement in motion pictures. In 2004, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush followed in 2011 by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association's Career Achievement Award. She was one of the last surviving stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Her death was announced by her charity, the Doris Day Animal Foundation, on Monday 13th May 2019.
Discography
chart hits
Year Title Chart Positions
US CB UK
1945 "Sentimental Journey" (w/ Les Brown) 1 — —
"My Dreams Are Getting Better All the Time" (w/ Les Brown) 1 — —
"'Tain't Me" (w/ Les Brown) 10 — —
"Till the End of Time" (w/ Les Brown) 3 — —
"Aren't You Glad You're You?" (w/ Les Brown) 11 — —
"Come to Baby Do" (w/ Les Brown) / 13 — —
1946 "You Won't Be Satisfied (Until You Break My Heart)" (w/ Les Brown) 4 — —
"Day by Day" (w/ Les Brown) 15 — —
"I Got the Sun in the Mornin' (and the Moon at Night)" (w/ Les Brown) 10 — —
"The Whole World Is Singing My Song" (w/ Les Brown) 6 — —
1947 "The Christmas Song" (w/ Les Brown) 12 — —
"Sooner or Later" (w/ Les Brown) 13 — —
"Papa, Won't You Dance With Me" 21 — —
1948 "Thoughtless" (w/ Modernaires) 24 — —
"Love Somebody" (w/ Buddy Clark) / 1 — —
"Confess" (w/ Buddy Clark) 16 — —
"Put 'em in a Box, Tie 'em with a Ribbon, and Throw 'em in the Deep Blue Sea" / 27 — —
"It's Magic" 2 — —
"My Darling, My Darling" (w/ Buddy Clark) 7 — —
1949 "Powder Your Face with Sunshine" (w/ Buddy Clark) 16 — —
"Again" 2 — —
"Everywhere You Go" 22 — —
"Let's Take an Old-Fashioned Walk" (w/ Frank Sinatra) 17 — —
"Now That I Need You" 20 — —
"Canadian Capers" 15 — —
"Bluebird on Your Windowsill" 19 — —
1950 "Quicksilver" 20 — —
"I Said My Pajamas (and Put on My Prayers)" 21 — —
"Enjoy Yourself (It's Later than You Think)" 24 — —
"Hoop-Dee-Doo" 17 — —
"Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" 9 — —
"I Didn't Slip, I Wasn't Pushed, I Fell" 19 — —
"A Bushel and a Peck" 16 — —
1951 "It's a Lovely Day Today" 30 — —
"Would I Love You (Love You, Love You)" 10 — —
"Shanghai" 7 — —
"Domino" 21 — —
1952 "A Guy Is a Guy" 1 — —
"Sugarbush" (w/ Frankie Laine) 7 12 8
"When I Fall in Love" 20 — —
"No Two People" (w/ Donald O'Connor) 25 — —
"My Love and Devotion" — 31 10
"The Cherries" — 39 —
"A Full Time Job" (w/ Johnnie Ray) / 20 21 11
"Ma Says, Pa Says" (w/ Johnnie Ray) 23 28 12
1953 "Mister Tap Toe" 10 11 —
"When the Red, Red Robin (Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along)" 29 — —
"Candy Lips" (w/ Johnnie Ray) / 17 18 —
"Let's Walk That-a-Way" (w/ Johnnie Ray) — 31 4
"Kiss Me Again, Stranger" / 30 — —
"A Purple Cow" 25 — —
"Choo Choo Train (Ch-Ch-Foo) 20 — —
1954 "Secret Love" 1 1 1
"The Black Hills of Dakota" — — 7
"Lost in Loveliness" — 25 —
"I Speak to the Stars" 16 17 —
"Someone Else's Roses" — 32 —
"If I Give My Heart to You" / 3 2 4
"Anyone Can Fall in Love" 27 41 —
"Ready, Willing, and Able" / — 31 7
"Hold Me in Your Arms" — 39 —
1955 "Foolishly Yours" — 25 —
"Love Me Or Leave Me" — — 20
"I'll Never Stop Loving You" 13 14 17
"Ooh Bang Jiggily Jang" 83 — —
1956 "Let It Ring" 51 — —
"Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)" 2 3 1
"Julie" / 64 40 —
"Love in a Home" 79 — —
"The Party's Over" 63 47 —
1957 "Twelve O'Clock Tonight" 68 — —
1958 "Teacher's Pet" 56 36 —
"A Very Precious Love" — — 16
"Everybody Loves a Lover" 6 6 25
"Tunnel of Love" 43 53 —
1959 "Love Me in the Daytime" 100 51 —
1960 "Any Way the Wind Blows" 50 109 —
"Please Don't Eat the Daisies" 102 102 —
"A Perfect Understanding" 111 — —
1962 "Lover Come Back" 98 — —
1964 "Move Over Darling" — — 8
"Send Me No Flowers" 135 — —
1967 "Sorry" * — — —
* "Sorry" made the US AC charts at #19.
Albums
10" LP
You're My Thrill (1949)
Young Man with a Horn (1950, soundtrack with Harry James)
Tea for Two (1950, soundtrack)
Lullaby of Broadway (1951, soundtrack)
On Moonlight Bay (1951, soundtrack)
I'll See You in My Dreams (1951, soundtrack)
By the Light of the Silvery Moon (1953, soundtrack)
Calamity Jane (1953, soundtrack)
Young at Heart (1954, soundtrack with Frank Sinatra)
12" LPs
Love Me or Leave Me (1955, soundtrack)
Day Dreams (1955, expanded re-issue of You're My Thrill)
Day By Day (1956)
The Pajama Game (1957, soundtrack)
Day by Night (1957)
Hooray for Hollywood (2 volumes, 1958)
Cuttin' Capers (1959)
What Every Girl Should Know (1960)
Show Time (1960)
Listen to Day (1960)
Bright and Shiny (1961)
I Have Dreamed (1961)
Duet (with André Previn, 1962)
You'll Never Walk Alone (1962)
Billy Rose's Jumbo (1962, soundtrack with film cast)
Annie Get Your Gun (1963, with Robert Goulet)
Love Him (1963)
The Doris Day Christmas Album (1964)
With a Smile and a Song (1964)
Latin for Lovers (1965)
Doris Day's Sentimental Journey (1965)
The Love Album (recorded in 1967, released in 1994)
My Heart (2011)
Singles
Hit records:
(with Les Brown's Band of Renown)
"Sentimental Journey"
5,000,000+ sales
"My Dreams Are Getting Better All The Time"
1,000,000+ sales
(As a solo performer)
"It's Magic"
1,000,000+ sales
"Again"
"Love Somebody" (duet with Buddy Clark)
1,000,000+ sales
"Confess" (duet with Buddy Clark) (also done by Patti Page)
"Bewitched"
1,000,000+ sales
"Shanghai"
"Sugarbush" (duet with Frankie Laine)
1,000,000+ sales
"Mister Tap Toe"
"Secret Love"
1,000,000+ sales
"If I Give My Heart to You" (also done by Denise Lor)
"I'll Never Stop Loving You"
1,000,000+ sales
"Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera)" ("Que Sera, Sera")
1,000,000+ sales
"Everybody Loves a Lover"
"Move Over Darling"
Lets Be Buddies
Doris Day Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What say, let's be pals
What say, let's be buddies
And keep up each others morale
I may never shout it
But many's the time I'm blue
What say, hows about it
Can I be a buddy to you
The lyrics to Doris Day's song "Let's Be Buddies" are a reflection of the value of friendship and its importance in uplifting one another during difficult times. The repetitive use of "what say, let's be buddies" serves as a plea for companionship, a constant need humans have for social interaction. The line "And keep up each other's morale" reinforces the idea of being there for each other and uplifting each other when the other is feeling low. The lyrics highlight the concept that even if one is hesitant to ask for support, having a buddy there to offer it can make a significant difference in their lives. The line "Can I be a buddy to you" is also significant as it shows Day's desire to give as much as she wants to receive.
The song was written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne and released in 1951. It was part of the musical film "I'll See You in My Dreams," in which Doris Day starred. The film was based on the life of Gus Kahn, a songwriter, and lyricist who was known for his contribution to popular music in the early 20th century. Day's performance of the song was well received and became popular after its release.
Line by Line Meaning
What say, let's be buddies
Shall we become friends?
What say, let's be pals
Shall we become close friends?
What say, let's be buddies
Shall we become friends?
And keep up each others morale
And support and encourage each other.
I may never shout it
I may never express it loudly.
But many's the time I'm blue
But many times I feel sad.
What say, hows about it
What do you say, can we be friends?
Can I be a buddy to you
Can I be a good friend to you?
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLE PORTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dayniac4324
@honeybee7700 Yes... we have a lot to thank Doris for ... she really changed things for the animals. And still is ! What a lady !!
Dayniac4324
Hi Perla. Oh my .. that is terrible to hear ! Its hard to believe that is still done. How disheartening to hear. Is there anything happening there to stop this ? Yes, Doris has done so much for the good of animals. She really has been important in bringing humane treatment of animals to the publics attention. Really what I admire most about her. Thank you for letting me know this ... horrible to hear though. Hope you have a good week ... take care... hugs... Toni
Dayniac4324
I love that picture .. sure tells the story ... who's house is it ? I know Neo thinks its his house !! Another thing I love is they look so happy with their pets and some of the stars and their pets kind of look alike !! :-) Thanks dear friend ... hope you have a great Sunday evening !! hugs Toni
missymitekite
Dear Toni, thank you so much for reminding me of this adorable vid. The pictures you chose are sensational! Love them all!!! One of my favorites is Glenn Ford sitting on the floor while his beautiful HUGE dog has total custody of the chair!! :-D So cute! Each of their pets tells a little something about the star. Such a joy to watch, my friend. xoxox Luv, Chris ♥
FrAnK PeReZ
What a wonderful and charming big band song from Doris and Les, a real treat to listen to! Loved the video too, those were some great pictures of the stars and their pet "buddies"! Well done Toni, I enjoyed this very much. Cheers! ... FrAnK :-)
Thomas IV
Thank you Toni that was fun to see what pets this classy era had and how they respond around their pets. Hmmm wonder if I would get neutered for Doris Day.
Barbara Brown
Toni, you're just too marvelous for words. Thank you so much, I love it! ...this is a direct quote from Doris
78 RPM BLUES
Her first record and a wonderful tribute to her work with animals. Great vid.
Dayniac4324
@exkanuk That always sounds like so much fun .... I hope I can join the group someday. I've heard some of the phone calls when they did the birthday celebration on the radio...always sounds like a lot of fun. I'm really happy you enjoyed the video. Have a great weekend !!
Dayniac4324
@curtite It really is fun seeing them loving their pets ..... I don't know if "I" would get neutured for Doris but my pet sure would !! (and has !) hahaha... hope all is going good with you, happy you enjoyed !