Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, Cramer grew up in the small town of Huttig, Arkansas, teaching himself to play the piano. After finishing high school, he returned to Shreveport, where he worked as a pianist for the Louisiana Hayride radio show.
In 1952, he made his way to Nashville at a time when the use of piano accompanists in country music was growing in popularity. Before long, Cramer would become one of the busiest studio musicians in the industry, playing piano for stars such as Elvis Presley, Brenda Lee, Patsy Cline, The Browns, Jim Reeves, Roy Orbison, Don Gibson and the Everly Brothers, and many others. It is Cramer's piano that is heard, for example, on Presley's first national hit, "Heartbreak Hotel."
However, Cramer remained a virtual unknown to anyone but music industry insiders until he recorded a 45 rpm single in 1960 called "Last Date." An instrumental, the music exhibited a relatively new concept for piano playing known as the "slip note" style. The record went to Number two on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music chart. By the mid-1960s, Cramer had become a respected performer, making numerous record albums and touring with guitar maestro Chet Atkins and saxophonist Boots Randolph.
Floyd Cramer died of lung cancer in 1997 at the age of 64 and was interred in the Spring Hill Cemetery in the Nashville suburb of Madison, Tennessee.
In 2003, he was inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee offers the "Floyd Cramer Competitive Scholarship."
Little Green Apples
Floyd Cramer Lyrics
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With my hair down in my eyes and she says "Hi"
And I stumble to the breakfast table
While the kids are goin' off to school goodbye
And she reaches out 'n' takes my hand
And squeezes it 'n' says "How ya feelin', hon?"
And I look across at smilin' lips
That warm my heart and see my mornin' sun
And if that's not lovin' me
Then all I've got to say
God didn't make little green apples
And it don't rain in Indianapolis in the summertime
And there's no such thing as Doctor Seuss
Or Disneyland, and Mother Goose, no nursery rhyme
God didn't make little green apples
And it don't rain in Indianapolis in the summertime
And when my self is feelin' low
I think about her face aglow and ease my mind
Sometimes I call her up at home knowin' she's busy
And ask her if she could get away and meet me
And maybe we could grab a bite to eat
And she drops what she's doin' and she hurries down to meet me
And I'm always late
But she sits waitin' patiently and smiles when she first sees me
'cause she's made that way
And if that ain't lovin' me
Then all I've got to say
God didn't make little green apples
And it don't snow in Minneapolis when the winter comes
And there's no such thing as make-believe
Puppy dogs, autumn leaves 'n' BB guns
God didn't make little green apples
And it don't rain in Indianapolis
The lyrics to Floyd Cramer's song Little Green Apples portray the singer's appreciation for the love he receives from his partner. The song begins with the singer waking up in the morning with his hair down in his eyes, as his partner greets him with a smile and a warm handshake. He looks across at her smiling lips, which warm his heart and remind him of his morning sun. The singer then goes on to explain that his partner's love is so real and pure that, in his eyes, nothing is impossible. He asserts that just like God didn't create little green apples or make it rain in Indianapolis in summertime, there are things that are impossible that his loving partner makes seem so easy.
Throughout the song, the singer expresses his admiration for his partner's kindness and patience, even when he is consistently late. She drops what she's doing to meet him whenever he might need her, and she sits by patiently waiting for his arrival, with a smile when she first sees him. Even when the singer feels low, the memory of her face aglow can ease his mind. The singer states that it's because of his partner's love that he is truly content.
Overall, the lyrics of the song express a deep, unconditional love that the singer shares with his partner. Her love makes everything possible, even the impossible. The song perfectly captures the essence of true love.
Line by Line Meaning
And I wake up in the mornin'
I open my eyes to a new day
With my hair down in my eyes and she says 'Hi'
My partner greets me warmly despite my unkempt appearance
And I stumble to the breakfast table
I groggily make my way to the table for breakfast
While the kids are goin' off to school goodbye
My children are leaving for school for the day
And she reaches out 'n' takes my hand
My partner shows affection by holding my hand
And squeezes it 'n' says 'How ya feelin', hon?'
My partner checks in on my well-being and shows care
And I look across at smilin' lips
I gaze at my partner's happy expression
That warm my heart and see my mornin' sun
My partner's love brings light and warmth to my life
And if that's not lovin' me
If this doesn't count as affection
Then all I've got to say
I have nothing else to add
God didn't make little green apples
Certain things just aren't possible
And it don't rain in Indianapolis in the summertime
Some things simply do not happen
And there's no such thing as Doctor Seuss
Some things are too fantastical
Or Disneyland, and Mother Goose, no nursery rhyme
Certain stories and places are beyond belief
And when my self is feelin' low
When I am feeling down
I think about her face aglow and ease my mind
I focus on my partner's joyful presence to lift my spirits
Sometimes I call her up at home knowin' she's busy
Occasionally, I reach out even when she's preoccupied
And ask her if she could get away and meet me
I request her presence and company
And maybe we could grab a bite to eat
I suggest we share a meal together
And she drops what she's doin' and she hurries down to meet me
She puts aside her tasks to come see me
And I'm always late
I tend to be tardy
But she sits waitin' patiently and smiles when she first sees me
She shows tolerance and excitement for our meeting
'cause she's made that way
This is inherent to her character
And if that ain't lovin' me
If this isn't love
Then all I've got to say
I have nothing else to argue
God didn't make little green apples
Some things are simply impossible
And it don't snow in Minneapolis when the winter comes
Some things are not natural to a specific place or time
And there's no such thing as make-believe
Some things are too incredible to exist
Puppy dogs, autumn leaves 'n' BB guns
Certain elements of life are unrealistic
God didn't make little green apples
Some things are simply not possible
And it don't rain in Indianapolis
Some things just do not happen
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Robert Russell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind