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"
The Lamp Is Low
Doris Day Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dream and watch the shadows came and go, the lamp Is low
While you linger in my arms, my lips will sigh "I love you so"
Dream the sweetest dream will ever know
Tonight the moon is high, the lamp Is low
Dream beside me in the midnight glow, the lamp Is low
Dream and watch the shadows came and go, the lamp Is low
Dream the sweetest dream will ever know
Tonight the moon is high, the lamp Is low
Doris Day's "The Lamp Is Low" evokes a sense of comforting intimacy between two people who are deeply in love. The song creates an atmosphere of peacefulness and tranquility, emphasizing the importance of being present with your loved ones even in the midst of darkness. The phrase "the lamp is low" reflects the idea that the lovers are alone in a peaceful and serene environment with only the light of the lamp to illuminate their surroundings.
The lyrics encourage the listener to dream and watch the shadows come and go as they embrace the person they love. Day sings passionately about feeling the warm embrace of her lover's arms and sighing, "I love you so." The imagery created within the lyrics is reflective of a romantic evening where two people are sitting close and enjoying the company of each other. The moon is high in the sky while the flames of the lamp flicker low, setting the scene for an intimate moment between the two lovers.
Overall, Doris Day's "The Lamp Is Low" is a song that paints a picture of romantic longing and peaceful serenity. The lyrics remind us of the importance of cherishing the moments we have with those we love and of living in the present moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Dream beside me in the midnight glow, the lamp Is low
Join me in this moment of intimacy and relaxation, where the only source of light is this low burning lamp.
Dream and watch the shadows came and go, the lamp Is low
Let us let our minds wander and observe the shadows dancing in the dim light of the lamp.
While you linger in my arms, my lips will sigh "I love you so"
As you remain close to me and feel the warmth of my embrace, I will express my genuine feelings of love for you.
Dream the sweetest dream will ever know
Let us dream together, creating an experience of pure sweetness and happiness that we will always cherish.
Tonight the moon is high, the lamp Is low
This particular moment in time is illuminated by the high moon outside, while we stay in the soft, low light of the lamp, experiencing our own unique connection.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JULE STYNE, SAMMY CAHN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lloyd Kropp
Yes, this beautiful song is taken from a middle passage of Ravel's Pavane (not from the main melody that comes first). It was meant to evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity concerning the death of a woman who lived centuries earlier which is also tinged with sadness. I don't know if there is really a name for this emotion--a kind of aesthetic sadness. W. S. Whitehead wrote a short story about a pianist who has a transcendental experience playing and listening to this piece. --Lloyd Kropp
Dayniac4324
I really do love this song. It's from a great album - Day by Night. Many great songs. I just listened again - and love it !! Glad you enjoyed -- thanks !!
Dayniac4324
This is one of my favorite songs from Doris. I just love it. I know what you mean ... you can really feel what she's singing. I can't stand most of the music out today ... screaming is not enjoyable ! She's a lovely lady in so many ways. So happy you enjoyed !
SactoGranny
I do so love it when you post a song I have either never heard before (like this one) or one I haven't heard in years. Keep them coming! :)
Ms. Prisha
That was beautiful, another excellent video from you and a awesome voice from Doris. And you have always the talent to surprise me ones more Toni *lol* Thank you so much for those and a big hug for sharing it with me.
Muirmaiden
I don't think I've heard this song before, I think I've got a new favorite. I could definately drift off to dreamland listening to this, her voice is that soothing and gentle. Thanks for posting.
Dayniac4324
Thank you Petra --- I'm glad you enjoyed it. So many wonderful Doris songs to share. Hope you're having a lovely week - Take care ....Toni
Gil Vicente
From "Day by Night" 1957 album. What a great rendition!
Dayniac4324
@Calliuz I really love her interpretation of this one. The strings are ok with me, but they do get a bit over powering at times. Happy you enjoyed most of it !
Dayniac4324
Thank you Jolanda - another dreamy Doris song. Glad you enjoyed. Hope you all have a wonderful week. Take care - Toni