Ella Mae Morse (September 12, 1924 – October 16, 1999) was an American popu… Read Full Bio ↴Ella Mae Morse (September 12, 1924 – October 16, 1999) was an American popular singer. Morse blended jazz, country, pop, and rhythm and blues.

Ella Mae Morse was born in Mansfield, Texas, United States. She was hired by Jimmy Dorsey when she was 14 years old. Dorsey believed she was 19, and when he was informed by the school board that he was now responsible for her care, he fired her. In 1942, at the age of 17, she joined Freddie Slack's band, with whom in the same year she recorded "Cow Cow Boogie", Capitol Records' first gold single. "Mr. Five by Five" was also recorded by Morse with Slack, and they had a hit recording with the song in 1942 (Capitol 115). She also originated the wartime hit "Milkman, Keep Those Bottles Quiet", which was later popularized by Nancy Walker in the film, Broadway Rhythm.

In 1943, Morse began to record solo. She reached #1 in the R&B chart with "Shoo-Shoo Baby" in December for two weeks. In the same year she performed "Cow Cow Boogie" in the film Reveille with Beverly and starred in Universal's South of Dixie and The Ghost Catchers with Olsen and Johnson and How Do You Dooo? with radio's Mad Russian, Bert Gordon. She sang in a wide variety of styles, and she had hits on both the U.S. pop and rhythm and blues charts. However, she never received the popularity of a major star because her versatility prevented her from being placed into any one category of music.

The song "Love Me or Leave Me" as recorded by Morse was released by Capitol Records as catalog number 1922, with the flip side "Blacksmith Blues," which became her biggest hit.

In 1946, "House of Blue Lights" by Freddie Slack and Morse, (written by Slack and Raye) saw them perform what was one of many of Raye's songs picked up by black R&B artists. Her biggest solo success was "Blacksmith Blues" in 1952, which sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. The same year her version of "Down the Road a Piece" appeared on Capitol with Slack again on piano accompaniment. Morse also recorded a version of "Oakie Boogie" for Capitol which reached #23 in 1952. Her version was one of the first songs arranged by Nelson Riddle.

Morse ceased recording in 1957, but continued performing until the early 1990s at such clubs as Michael's Pub in New York, Ye Little Club in Beverly Hills, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel's Cinegrill and the Vine St. Bar and Grill. She appeared regularly at Disneyland for several years with the Ray McKinley Orchestra, and did a successful tour of Australia shortly before her final illness.

Her music career was profiled in Nick Tosches' 1984 book, The Unsung Heroes of Rock 'N' Roll: The Birth of Rock in the Wild Years Before Elvis. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1724 Vine Street. Her entire recorded body of work was issued in a deluxe box set by Bear Family Records.

As Morse's musical style blended jazz, blues, and country, she has sometimes been called the first rock 'n' roll singer. A good example is her 1942 recording of the song "Get On Board, Little Chillun", which, with strong gospel, blues, boogie, and jive sounds as a genuine precursor to the later rockabilly/ rock 'n roll songs. Her records sold well to both Caucasian and African-American audiences. As she was not well known at the time of her first solo hits, many people assumed she was African-American because of her 'hip' vocal style and choice of material.

Morse had six children from two marriages, as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and an estranged sister named Flo Handy, who was also a singer.

In 1999 Morse died of respiratory failure in Bullhead City, Arizona, aged 75.

Day In Day Out
Ella Mae Morse Lyrics

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Day in, day out
The same old hoodoo follows me about
The same old pounding in my heart whenever I think of you
And, darling, I think of you
Day in and day out

Day out, day in
I needn't tell you how my days begin

When I awake, I awaken with a tingle
One possibility in view
That possibility of maybe seeing you

Come rain, come shine
I meet you and to me the day is fine
Then I kiss your lips
And the pounding becomes
The ocean's roar
A thousand drums
Can't you see it's love
Can there be any doubt

When there it is
Day in, day out

Overall Meaning

The song "Day In Day Out" by Ella Mae Morse is a ballad about the singer's undying love for someone special in their life. The lyrics speak of how the singer is haunted by thoughts of this special person and how they occupy their thoughts throughout the day. The use of the phrase "the same old hoodoo" suggests that this has been a regular occurrence for the singer, and that they are struggling to shake off these persistent emotions.
The second verse builds on this idea of how this person has become an integral part of the singer's life, as they wake up every morning with thoughts of them at the forefront of their mind. The singer is excited by the prospect of seeing this person again, and the mere thought of this possibility is enough to give them a "tingle". The song makes it clear that this person brings meaning and purpose to the singer's day and that without them, life is incomplete.

In the third verse, the singer defines what this relationship means to them. The singer and this person seem to have a deep bond, as they are unaffected by external factors such as the weather. The singer is elated whenever they get to meet this person, and the day becomes perfect. The meeting is often accompanied by a kiss, which makes the singer's heart beat faster than ever before. The use of hyperbole in "A thousand drums" highlights the strength of the singer's feelings, and how they are unable to contain their love for this person. Overall, the song is a beautiful tribute to the power of love and how it can transform someone's life.

Day In Day OutElla Mae Morse Lyrics

ANCARLOS SMITH PEREIRA

Day In Day Out
Ella Mae Morse Lyrics