Arnold was born on May 15, 1918 on a farm near Henderson, Tennessee. His father, a sharecropper, played the fiddle, while his mother played guitar. As a boy Arnold helped on the farm, which later gained him his nickname—the Tennessee Plowboy. Arnold attended Pinson High School in Pinson, Tennessee, where he played guitar for school functions and events. He quit before graduation to help with the farm work, but continued performing, often arriving on a mule with his guitar hung on his back. Arnold also worked part-time as an assistant at a mortuary.
In 1934, at age 16, Arnold debuted musically on WTJS-AM in Jackson, Tennessee and obtained a job there during 1937. He performed at local nightclubs and was a permanent performer for the station. During 1938, he was hired by WMPS-AM in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was one of its most popular performers. He soon quit for KWK-AM in St. Louis, Missouri, followed by a brief stint at WHAS-AM in Louisville, Kentucky.
He performed for WSM-AM on the Grand Ole Opry during 1943 as a solo artist. In 1944, Arnold signed a contract with RCA Victor, with manager Colonel Tom Parker, who later managed Elvis Presley. Arnold's first single was little noticed, but the next, "Each Minute Seems a Million Years", scored No. 5 on the country charts during 1945. Its success began a decade of unprecedented chart performance; Arnold's next 57 singles all scored the Top Ten, including 19 number one scoring successes.
In 1946, Arnold scored his first major success with "That's How Much I Love You". In 1948, he had five successful songs on the charts simultaneously. That year he had nine songs score the top 10; five of these scored No. 1 and scored No. 1 for 40 of the year's 52 weeks. With Parker's management, Arnold continued to dominate, with 13 of the 20 best-scoring country music songs of 1947–1948. He became the host of Mutual Radio's Purina-sponsored segment of the Opry and of Mutual’s Checkerboard Jamboree, a midday program shared with Ernest Tubb that was broadcast from a Nashville theater. Recorded radio programs increased Arnold’s popularity, as did the CBS Radio series Hometown Reunion with the Duke of Paducah. Arnold quit the Opry during 1948, and his Hometown Reunion briefly broadcasted in competition with the Opry on Saturday nights. In 1949 and 1950, he performed in the Columbia movies Feudin’ Rhythm and Hoedown.
Arnold began working for television in the early 1950s, hosting The Eddy Arnold Show. The summer program was broadcast successively by all three television networks, replacing the Perry Como and Dinah Shore programs. He also performed as a guest and a guest host on the ABC-TV show Ozark Jubilee from 1955–60. Arnold featured in the syndicated Eddy Arnold Time from 1955 to 1957. From 1960 to 1961, he hosted NBC-TV's Today on the Farm.
With the rise of rock and roll in the 1950s, Arnold's record sales declined, though he and fellow RCA Victor recording artist Jim Reeves had a greater audience with popular-sounding string-laced arrangements. Arnold annoyed many people of the country music establishment by recording with the Hugo Winterhalter Orchestra at RCA's studios in New York. The pop-oriented arrangements of "The Cattle Call" and "The Richest Man (in the World)", however, helped to expand his appeal beyond its country music base. This style, pioneered by Reeves and Arnold, became known as the "Nashville Sound". During 1953, Arnold and Tom Parker had a dispute, and Arnold dismissed him. From 1954 to 1963, Arnold's performances were managed by Joe Csida; during 1964 Csida was replaced by Jerry Purcell.
Arnold embarked on a second career that brought his music to a more diverse audience. In the summer of 1965, he had his first Number One country song in ten years, What's He Doing in My World and struck gold again six months later with the song that would become his most well-known Make the World Go Away accompanied by pianist Floyd Cramer on piano and featuring the Anita Kerr Singers. As a result, Arnold's rendition became an international success.
Bill Walker's orchestra arrangements provided the lush background for 16 continuous successes sung by Arnold in the late 1960s. Arnold performed with symphony orchestras in New York City, Las Vegas and Hollywood. He performed in Carnegie Hall for two concerts, and in the Coconut Grove in Las Vegas.[9] During 1966, Arnold was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the youngest performer to receive the honor. The following year Arnold was voted the first-ever awarded Country Music Association's Entertainer Of The Year. Two years later, Arnold released an autobiography named It's A Long Way From Chester County.
Having been with RCA Victor since his debut during 1944, Arnold left the company in 1973 for MGM Records, for which he recorded four albums, which included several top 40 successes. He returned to RCA in 1976.
During the 1980s, Arnold declared himself semi-retired; however, he continued recording. In 1984, the Academy of Country Music awarded Arnold its Pioneer Award. His next album, You Don't Miss A Thing wasn't released until 1991. Arnold performed road tours for several more years. By 1992, he had sold nearly 85 million records, and had a total of 145 weeks of No. 1 songs, more than any other singer.
In 1996, RCA issued an album of Arnold's main successes since 1944 as part of its 'Essential' series. Arnold, then 76 years old, retired from active singing, though he still performed occasionally. On May 16, 1999, the day after his 81st birthday, he announced his final retirement during a concert at the Hotel Orleans in Las Vegas. That same year, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences inducted the recording of "Make The World Go Away" into the Grammy Hall of Fame. In 2000, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts. In 2005, Arnold received a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy, and later that year, released a final album for RCA entitled After All These Years.
Eddy Arnold died from natural causes at 5:00 a.m. Central Time on May 8, 2008 in a nursing home in Nashville, exactly one week before his 90th birthday. His wife of 66 years, Sally Gayhart Arnold, had preceded him in death by two months. They were survived by two children (Richard E. Arnold, Jr., and JoAnn Arnold Pollard), two grandchildren (K. Michelle Pollard and R. Shannon Pollard, Jr.), and four great-grandchildren (Katie E. Pollard, Sophie Pollard, Rowan Pollard and Ben Johns).
On May 31, 2008, RCA released "To Life", as a single from the album After All These Years. It debuted at No. 49 on the Hot Country Songs charts, Arnold's first entry in 25 years and the recording by the oldest person to chart in Billboard magazine. It set the record for the longest span between a first chart single and a last: 62 years and 11 months ("Each Minute Seems Like a Million Years" debuted on June 30, 1945), and extended Arnold's career chart history to seven decades.
Crying In The Chapel
Eddy Arnold Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know the meaning of contentment now I am happy with the Lord
Just a plain and simple chapel where humble people go to pray
I pray the Lord that I'll grow stronger as I live from day to day
I've searched and I've searched but I couldn't find
No way on earth to gain peace of mind
Now I'm happy in the chapel where people are of one accord
We gather in the chapel just to sing and praise the Lord
There is only one true answer he must get down on his knees
You'll search and you'll search but you'll never find
No way on earth to gain peace of mind
Take your troubles in the chapel get down on your knees and pray
Your burdens will be lighter and you'll surely find your way
"Crying in the Chapel" by Eddy Arnold is a gospel song that speaks about finding contentment and peace in a religious setting. The song talks about the singer's experience of crying in a simple chapel and shedding tears of joy. The chapel is a place where humble people gather to pray and praise the Lord. The singer finds solace in this community of people who are of one accord, which helps him grow stronger in his faith with each passing day.
The lyrics of the song suggest that every sinner is looking for something that will soothe their troubled hearts. The only true answer is for them to get down on their knees and pray. The chapel is a place where people can take their troubles and burdens to the Lord in prayer. By doing so, their burdens will be lighter, and they will surely find their way. The song highlights the power of prayer and the importance of finding solace in faith.
In conclusion, "Crying in the Chapel" is a testament to the healing power of faith, the importance of community in religious worship, and the peace that comes with prayer. The song encourages people to seek out places of worship where they can find comfort and solace in their faith.
Line by Line Meaning
You saw me crying in the chapel the tears I shed were tears of joy
Someone witnessed me crying in the church, but the tears were of happiness and not sadness.
I know the meaning of contentment now I am happy with the Lord
I have learned the definition of satisfaction and currently, I am content with my connection with God.
Just a plain and simple chapel where humble people go to pray
The church is a modest and basic building where modest individuals gather to pray.
I pray the Lord that I'll grow stronger as I live from day to day
I request God for strength to live through each day and to become more formidable as time passes.
I've searched and I've searched but I couldn't find No way on earth to gain peace of mind
I searched everywhere but none of the worldly things could give me peace of mind.
Now I'm happy in the chapel where people are of one accord
Currently, I am joyful in the church where everyone is united and thinking alike.
We gather in the chapel just to sing and praise the Lord
We come together as a community in the church to sing and worship God.
Every sinner looks for something that will put his heart at ease
Each person who committed a sin seeks a particular thing that makes them comfortable and relaxed.
There is only one true answer he must get down on his knees
The sole solution to their problem is to kneel down and pray.
You'll search and you'll search but you'll never find No way on earth to gain peace of mind
Although you may look and examine thoroughly, you will never discover a technique to gain internal peace on this planet.
Take your troubles in the chapel get down on your knees and pray
Whenever you encounter difficulties, go to the church, kneel down, and pray to God.
Your burdens will be lighter and you'll surely find your way
As a result of praying to God, you will feel more at ease, and your path in life will become clearer.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Artie Glenn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
whitefalcon64
Never heard before Eddy sing such a great song. He's still my country singing favourite, alongside with Hank Williams Sr. and Marty Robbins. Thanks for posting. Greetings from Spain.
Renee Sullivan
God bless you Eddy Arnold for singing for us then and now
SteelPeddler
Yep, its Eddie. One of my all time favorite singers. Pure, clean, fantastic voice.
Phil Silverman
this is incredible. never heard it. I wonder if he should have done it in a lower key. Although the high notes are sensational. thank you.:)
CountrynIrish
Beautiful Version ! Love it ! He was a legend ! Thanks so much for uploading ! 5*****+
BrickPa
I remember seeing Eddy's induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame on TV. He was in tears and I remember about all he could say was "All I ever wanted to do was sing". And good Lord I'm so glad he did!
bbudacious
He was one of my dad's favorite. Thank for the info. The more I here this, I here Eddie's voice. thanks
zforce196
Eddy will be missed.
Nita Fowler
this grabs my heart every time I hear it....thanks so much for sharing...
Tammy Ward
Absolutely singing touching the heart!! He and Elvis sang this song straight to Heaven! Now they sing with Angel's!! Classic and TIMELESS!! 💕😍🥰💚🤗🎙🎤🎙🙏