Lynne was born in Harlem in 1929 to John and Mary Wilson. As a young girl, Lynne sang with the local African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Choir. At the age of 15, she won first prize at the "Amateur Night" at the Apollo Theater. She shared the stage with contemporary night club vocal ensembles as well as with Ella Fitzgerald, recording as part of such groups as the Enchanters and the Dell-Tones in the 1950s. She recorded as a soloist under her birth name, though most of her work was released under her stage name on the Everest and Fontana labels. She was signed to Everest in 1958.
Although showing much promise early on, especially after TV appearances, including the Harry Belafonte Spectacular, her development suffered through poor management: some unscrupulous recording "executives" profited while she was left virtually penniless, saved by the fact that she was able to work steadily and earn her money from performances—a victim of unpaid royalties.
In the 1960s she had several hits including "June Night", "Love I Found You", "I'm Glad There Is You", "I Wish You Love" (1964)—which became her signature song—and her answer to Gene McDaniels's "Tower Of Strength", "(You Don't Have to Be a) Tower Of Strength", a pop hit that proved how versatile she could be in the studio. After her time with Everest Records she moved to Fontana and recorded such albums as Soul Serenade, Love And A Woman, Where It's At, and Here, There And Everywhere, all of which showcased her versatility in jazz, RnB, soul and melodic "pop".
During her earlier years on the road Gloria Lynne shared bills with some of the giants of RnB, jazz, pop and standards including Ray Charles, Billy Eckstine, Johnny Mathis and Ella Fitzgerald. Notable TV specials include two with Harry Belafonte and duets with Billy Eckstine. As Lynne moved into jazz in her later career she worked with top flight musicians and arrangers and performed with many of the jazz greats, including Quincy Jones, Bobby Timmons, Philly Joe Jones, Harry "Sweets" Edison.
She famously wrote lyrics for “Watermelon Man” with Herbie Hancock, and “All Day Long” with Kenny Burrell. New York City proclaimed July 25, 1995 as Gloria Lynne Day. In 1996 Lynne received the International Women of Jazz Award and she was honored with a Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1997. Other awards and recognitions include the National Treasure Award from the Seasoned Citizens Theatre Company (2003); induction into the National Black Sports and Entertainment Hall of Fame; Living Legend Award from the State of Pennsylvania (2007).
She and her husband, Harry Alleyne, had a son, Richard. Gloria and Richard Alleyne ran a production company, Family Bread Music Inc. Gloria and Harry Alleyne divorced in 1968.
She died of a heart attack on October 15, 2013 in Newark, New Jersey.
The Night Has A Thousand Eyes
Gloria Lynne Lyrics
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For words deep down inside can be seen by the night
The night has a thousand eyes
And it knows the truth apart from one that lies
The romance may have cooled in the past
My love for you will be everlasting and bright
As bright as a starlit sky
I've lived my life walking through a dream
For I knew that I would find this moment supreme
A night of bliss and tender sighs
And the smiling down of a thousand eyes
A night of bliss and tender sighs
And the smiling down of a thousand eyes
The night has a thousand eyes
In Gloria Lynne's song "The Night Has A Thousand Eyes," the singer urges her lover not to whisper insincere things to her because the night can see through words that are not genuine. The night, she says, has a thousand eyes and knows the truth apart from lies. The song then transitions into a declaration of the singer's eternal and unwavering love for her partner, comparing it to the endless and shining beauty of the starry night sky. She has lived her life dreaming of this moment of bliss and tenderness, with the smiling down of a thousand eyes, symbolizing the approval and joy of the universe for their love.
The lyrics of "The Night Has A Thousand Eyes" are introspective and emotional, speaking to the heart of a person's capacity for love and the power of the natural world to reflect that love back to us. The night, as a symbol of eternity and mystery, is personified as a witness to the truth of our feelings and an ally in expressing them. Lynne's delivery of the song is smooth and melancholic, perfectly capturing the sense of longing and reverence for love that the lyrics evoke.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't whisper things to me you don't mean
Be honest with me and only say what you truly mean
For words deep down inside can be seen by the night
The night exposes the truth hidden by words
The night has a thousand eyes
The night sees and knows everything
And it knows the truth apart from one that lies
The night can distinguish truth from lies
The romance may have cooled in the past
Our love may have experienced some rough patches in the past
My love for you will be everlasting and bright
My love for you will never fade away and will shine bright
As bright as a starlit sky
My love is as bright as the stars in the sky
And the wondrous night that has a thousand eyes
Our love will be seen and blessed by the watchful night
I've lived my life walking through a dream
My life has been like a surreal dream
For I knew that I would find this moment supreme
I always knew that this perfect moment would come
A night of bliss and tender sighs
A romantic night full of joy and soft sounds
And the smiling down of a thousand eyes
The night will look down graciously on our love
The night has a thousand eyes
The night has a thousand ways to keep watch over us and bless our love
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SNUFF GARRETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind