He was born Frank Abelson to a Jewish family in Liverpool, England. The name Vaughan came from a grandmother whose first grandson he was, who used to call Frank "my number one" grandson, in whose Russian accent "one" sounded like "Vaughan."
In his early life, he was a member of the Lancaster Lads Club, a member group of the National Association of Boys' Clubs in the UK, and in his career he was a major contributor to the clubs, dedicating his monetary compensation from one song each year to them. He started out at the club intending to be a boxer. Then at age 14 he received a scholarship to the Lancaster College of Art, where he sang in the dance band. After a stint in the Royal Army Medical Corps in World War II (where he spent most of his time boxing) he returned to art school, this time at the Leeds College of Art.
When he won a prize to design a furniture exhibition stand, he left for London, where he won second prize on a radio talent show.
Frankie's career began in the late 1940s in the theatre doing variety song and dance acts. He was known as a fancy dresser, wearing top hat, bow tie, tails, and cane. In the 1950s he began making records, and was very popular in the UK. In 1955, he recorded what was to become his trademark song, "Give Me the Moonlight, Give Me the Girl."
He recorded a large number of songs that were covers of United States hit songs, including Perry Como's "Kewpie Doll," Jimmie Rodgers' "Kisses Sweeter than Wine,"Boyd Bennett's "Seventeen" (also covered in the US by the Fontane Sisters), Jim Lowe's "The Green Door," and (with the Kaye Sisters) the Fleetwoods' "Come Softly to Me." From the 1950s through the 1960s, his recordings were popular chart toppers in the UK.
He came to the United States in 1960 to make a movie with Marilyn Monroe, "Let's Make Love," and was an actor in several other movies, but his recordings were never chart hits in the US (though one, "Judy," did make the charts briefly and at a very low spot; even that one never got much air play in the US).
During the 1960's he became involved with youth social problems in Easterhouse, a large housing estate in the outskirts of Glasgow, and was influential in attracting new resources and inward investment to the area.
He continued performing until 1985, when he starred in a stage version of "42nd Street" at Drury Lane in London. After a year, he suffered a near fatal bout of peritonitis and had to leave the cast. He was married to Stella from 1951 to 1999 and they had three children and several grandchildren. He was awarded an OBE in 1965, a CBE in 1996 and had been a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of the County of Buckinghamshire since 1993. He died from heart failure in 1999, aged 71.
Hello Dolly
Frankie Vaughan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's so nice to have you back where you belong
You're lookin' swell, Dolly I can tell, Dolly
You're still glowin' you're still crowin' you're still goin' strong
I feel the room swayin' for the band's playin'
One of your old favourite songs from way back when
So take her wrap, fellas find her an empty lap, fellas
Dolly don't go away again
Hello Hello Dolly hear me it's Frank, Dolly
It's so nice to have you back where you belong
I said you're lookin' swell, Dolly and I can tell, Dolly
You're still glowin' you're still crowin' you're still goin' strong
Feel the room swayin' for the band's playin'
One of your old favourite songs from way back when
So take her wrap, fellas find her an empty lap, fellas
Dolly don't go away again
I feel the room swayin while the band's playin'
One of your old favourite songs from way back when
So golly gee fellas find her a vacant knee, fellas
Dolly don't go away
Dolly your home to stay
Dolly don't go away again
The song "Hello Dolly" is a classic tune that was originally sung by Carol Channing in the Broadway musical of the same name. The song has been covered by many artists, but Frankie Vaughan's version is particularly memorable. The lyrics tell the story of Frank Dolly, who is pleased to have Dolly back where she belongs. He compliments her on her appearance and notes that she is still as lively and energetic as ever. He can feel the room moving as the band plays one of her favorite songs, and he asks the other fellows to find her a place to sit. He doesn't want her to leave again; she's finally back home where she belongs.
The song is a celebration of love, joy, and the ability to come back home. It can be seen as an anthem for those who have been away for a long time and have finally come back home. The song is full of energy, fun and vitality. The lyrics paint an image of a vibrant and lively atmosphere where people are happy to be reunited with loved ones. The song is a testament to the power of music and the nostalgic feelings it can evoke.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello Dolly, this is Frank Dolly
Frankie Vaughan greets Dolly in his own way
It's so nice to have you back where you belong
Frankie is delighted to see Dolly return to where she belongs
You're lookin' swell, Dolly I can tell, Dolly
Frankie is complimenting Dolly about her appearance and personality
You're still glowin' you're still crowin' you're still goin' strong
Frankie acknowledges that Dolly has maintained her charm and vitality
I feel the room swayin' for the band's playin'
Frankie is feeling the impact of the music on the atmosphere
One of your old favourite songs from way back when
The band is playing one of Dolly's favourite old songs
So take her wrap, fellas find her an empty lap, fellas
Frankie asks the guys to assist Dolly with her coat and to find her a seat
Dolly don't go away again
Frankie doesn't want Dolly to leave again
Feel the room swayin' for the band's playin'
Frankie repeats the feeling he has while the band plays
One of your old favourite songs from way back when
The band still plays one of Dolly's favourite old songs
So take her wrap, fellas find her an empty lap, fellas
Frankie again reminds the guys to assist Dolly with her coat and to find her a seat
Dolly don't go away again
Frankie repeats his plea for Dolly not to leave again
I feel the room swayin while the band's playin'
Frankie still has the same feeling while the band plays
One of your old favourite songs from way back when
The fact the band plays Dolly's favourite old song is reiterated
So golly gee fellas find her a vacant knee, fellas
Frankie begs the guys to find Dolly a place to sit
Dolly don't go away
Frankie repeats his plea for Dolly not to leave
Dolly your home to stay
Frankie wants Dolly to know she is welcome to stay
Dolly don't go away again
Frankie makes a final plea for Dolly to stay
Writer(s): JERRY HERMAN
Contributed by Jackson A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.