Born in Tioga, Texas, Autry was raised in Texas and Oklahoma. Discovered by humorist Will Rogers, in 1929 Autry was billed as "Oklahoma's Yodeling Cowboy" at KVOO in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He gained a popular following, a recording contract with Columbia Records in 1929, and soon after, performed on the "National Barn Dance" for radio station WLS in Chicago. Autry first appeared on screen in 1934 and up to 1953 popularized the musical Western and starred in 93 feature films. In 1940 theater exhibitors of America voted Autry the fourth biggest box office attraction, behind Mickey Rooney, Clark Gable, and Spencer Tracy.
While best known today as the singer of such holiday fare as Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane), Frosty The Snowman, Peter Cottontail, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the second all-time best selling Christmas single of all time, Autry made 640 recordings, including more than 300 songs written or co-written by him. His records are reputed to have sold more than 100 million copies. His recording of That Silver-Haired Daddy Of Mine is reputed to have sold more than 5 million copies. Autry's other significant recordings include:
* You Are My Sunshine (1931)
* A Face I See at Evening (1931)
* The Last Roundup (1933)
* Cowboy's Heaven (1934)
* South of the Border (1934)
* Tumbling Tumbleweeds (1935)
* Mexicali Rose (1935)
* Take Me Back to My Boots and Saddle (1935)
* Gold Mine in the Sky (1937)
* Back in the Saddle Again (1939)
* Blueberry Hill (1941)
* Be Honest With Me (1946)
* Ghost Riders in the Sky (1949)
* Nobody's Darlin' but Mine (1957)
From 1940 to 1956 Autry hosted the weekly Melody Ranch radio show over the CBS Radio Network, featuring Autry's trademark theme song Back In The Saddle Again. In addition, Autry's popularity was apparent during his personal appearance tours. Claimed to have been the first performer to sell out Madison Square Garden, his concert and rodeo appearances throughout the United States and Europe served as a model for other performers. Autry often did two shows a day, seven days a week, for 65 to 85 days at a stretch.
In 1950, Autry became one of the first major movie stars to turn to television. For the next five years he produced and starred in 91 half-hour episodes of The Gene Autry Show for CBS Television. This success lead him to produce such popular TV series as Annie Oakley, The Range Rider, Buffalo Bill Jr., The Adventures Of Champion as well as the first 39 episodes of Death Valley Days.
He carried his love for entertaining and sharp business sense into broadcasting, where, under the Golden West Broadcasters banner, he owned a chain of radio and television stations throughout the Western United States, including KMPC and KTLA in Los Angeles and KSFO in San Francisco until the late 1980's. His other business interests included the Gene Autry Hotel in Palm Springs, and several other properties. He ranked for many years on the Forbes magazine list of the 400 richest Americans, before he fell in 1995 to the magazine's "near miss" category with an estimated net worth of $320 million.
Autry's broadcasting interests that led him in 1960 to acquire the then expansion Los Angeles Angels American League baseball franchise (later the California Angels). After his retirement from performing in the mid-1960's, much of Autry's time was spent unsuccessfully attempting to win a World Series' championship for his Angels. When he became the first country musician to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, he said that there's "only one day that will be bigger than this one for me, and that's when we win the World Series." Autry was a fixture at Angels' games for the rest of his life.
Autry's long-cherished dream came true with the opening in November 1988 of the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum, since acclaimed as one of the finest museums on the history and mythology of the West.
Among the many hundreds of honors and awards Autry has received were induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame; the American Academy of Achievement Award, the Los Angeles Area Governor's Emmy from The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences; and the Board of Directors Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Achievement in Arts Foundation. Autry was also inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, The National Cowboy Hall of Fame, the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and he received The Songwriters Guild Life Achievement Award. He was also honored by his songwriting peers with a lifetime achievement award from ASCAP.
Gene Autry died at his home in Studio City, California on October 2, 1998 at the age of 91.
Frosty The Snowman
Gene Autry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Was a jolly happy soul
With a corncob pipe and a button nose
And his eyes made out of coal
Frosty the Snowman
Made the children laugh and play
And were they surprised when
He came to life that day
There must have been some magic
In that old silk hat they found
For when they placed it on his head
He began to dance around
Frosty the Snowman
Was alive as he could be
And the children say
He could laugh and play
Just the same as you and me
Frosty the Snowman
Knew the sun was hot that day
So he said let's run
And we'll have fun
Now before I melt away
So down to the village
With a broomstick in his hand
Running here and there all around the square
Saying catch me if you can
He led them down the streets of town
Right to the traffic cop
And he only paused a moment when
He heard him holler stop
Frosty the Snowman
Had to hurry on his way
But he waved goodbye
Saying don't you cry
I'll be back again some day
Thumpety thump thump
Thumpety thump thump
Look at Frosty go
Thumpety thump thump
Thumpety thump thump
Over the hills of snow
"Frosty the Snowman" is a classic that has been loved by children and adults for generations. The song tells the story of a snowman named Frosty who magically comes to life with a corncob pipe, a button nose and eyes made out of coal. The children who built Frosty are surprised and delighted when he starts to dance around.
The song emphasizes the magical quality of the snowman's hat, suggesting that it is what brings him to life. The lyrics suggest that there is something special about the hat, describing it as an "old silk hat they found". When placed on Frosty's head, the hat imbues him with the ability to dance and play, turning him into a jolly and lively character.
Frosty's persona is that of a playful and kind-hearted creature. He leads the local children through their town, showing them a good time before he eventually has to leave them to melt away. The song's narrative teaches listeners to live in the moment, to view life as a magical experience, and to not take fleeting moments of happiness for granted.
Line by Line Meaning
Frosty the Snowman
This is the introduction line which tells us about the singer of the song.
Was a jolly happy soul
Frosty was always in a happy mood, and his joy extended to others who knew him.
With a corncob pipe and a button nose
This line uses the pipe accessory and button nose description to further illustrate Frosty's appearance, which is important because he is a snowman and does not have any facial features to give him individuality.
And his eyes made out of coal
This line adds to the description of Frosty's physical features, which are the corncob pipe, button nose, and coal eyes.
Made the children laugh and play
Frosty had a way of entertaining the children and making them happy which was why he was so beloved.
And were they surprised when
Children had never seen a snowman come to life, but the next line describes Frosty's transformation.
Before their eyes
The children got to see the magic of a snowman come to life, which was a rare and joyful sight.
He came to life that day
This is the moment when Frosty is imbued with life, is able to move and interact with the world.
There must have been some magic
The source of Frosty's ability is a mystery to us, but we can attribute it to the mystical properties of the hat that gave him life.
In that old silk hat they found
The hat is important because it is the magical artifact that causes Frosty to come to life.
For when they placed it on his head
Putting the hat on his head was the catalyst of the magic that gave Frosty life.
He began to dance around
Frosty, upon receiving life, was so filled with joy and the desire to explore the world that he began to dance with excitement.
Was alive as he could be
Frosty was alive, and like many living things, he was eager to explore and play.
And the children say
The children remembered Frosty in endearing ways, associating him with the joy and laughter that he brought to their lives.
He could laugh and play
This line accentuates Frosty's playful character and continued to contribute and bring joy to the lives of the kids he entertained.
Just the same as you and me
Frosty could experience joy, sadness, and an array of human emotions, which allowed for a deeper connection between him and the children that he played with.
Knew the sun was hot that day
As a snowman, Frosty knew that he was in danger of melting under the sun's heat, but that did not stop him from having fun.
So he said let's run
Frosty's goal was to have a good time, so he urged the children to run with him and enjoy the experience fully.
And we'll have fun
Frosty was determined to make it a fun experience for everyone and bring joy to their lives.
Now before I melt away
Frosty knew that his time would come to an end under the sun's heat, and he was determined to make the most of his life and live in the moment.
With a broomstick in his hand
Frosty carried a broomstick which he used both as a walking stick and as a symbol of his freedom as a living snowman.
Running here and there all around the square
Frosty, full of joy and energy, couldn't stand still and ran around the village square in order to enjoy the outdoors.
Saying catch me if you can
Frosty taunted the children to chase him, which contributed to his playful and fun-loving character.
He led them down the streets of town
Frosty continued to take the children on an adventure to explore and uncover new experiences.
Right to the traffic cop
Frosty's playful spirit led him to interact even with adults strangers like a traffic cop.
And he only paused a moment when
Frosty, still full of energy, couldn't stop for an extended period, but paused for a moment before continuing his adventure.
He heard him holler stop
The traffic cop stopped Frosty, which prompted him to realize he had to keep moving and stay alive as long as possible.
Had to hurry on his way
Being a snowman came with disadvantages like melting, which led to Frosty being in a hurry to complete his adventure and not let the children down by not being there for them.
But he waved goodbye
Frosty's fun-filled adventure had come to an end. As a result, he encouraged the kids and let them know that this isn't the last time they will see him.
Saying don't you cry
Frosty reassures the children that despite his departure, they should be happy for the time they spent together, not sad.
I'll be back again some day
Frosty promised the children that he would come back one day, giving them hope and something to look forward to.
Thumpety thump thump
This is the sound of Frosty moving along the snow, and the repetition of the phrase serves to make it catchy and memorable.
Look at Frosty go
This line further emphasizes the lively and adventurous spirit of Frosty as he travels across the winter landscape in a carefree manner without worries.
Over the hills of snow
Frosty's adventure takes him on a journey through the snowy terrain, exploring and enjoying its beauty to the fullest.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jack Rollins, Steve Nelson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind