Grant was born as Myrtle Audrey Arinsberg in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the eldest of six children of Russian Jewish parents, Rose (née Jacobson) and Alexander Arinsberg. At the age of 12, she moved to Los Angeles, where she attended Venice High School. In California, she won a teenage singing contest and appeared on television talent shows.
She worked as a car salesperson in the early 1950s.In 1952 she began to record, using first the name "Audrey Brown" and later "Audrey Grant." She was given the name "Gogi" by Dave Kapp, the head of Artists and Repertory at RCA Victor, who liked to patronize a restaurant called "Gogi's LaRue." (Another source says that Grant asked Kapp, "What is a Gogi?" She continued, "His answer was, 'Darned if I know, I dreamed it last night.'")
In 1955 Grant signed with a small record company, Era Records, and had her first top ten hit with "Suddenly There's a Valley." The next year, she had an even bigger hit, reaching number 1 on Billboard 's Top 100 chart with "The Wayward Wind" and holding there for six weeks. The song sold over one million copies in the United States alone, and peaked at No. 9 in the UK Singles Chart. She was voted the most popular female vocalist by Billboard magazine. This single returned to the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961.
In 1957, she supplied the vocals for Ann Blyth's portrayal of Helen Morgan in the biographical film, The Helen Morgan Story. The soundtrack occasioned her return to RCA Victor (the soundtrack album climbed to No. 25 in the Billboard album chart), where she had a minor hit the following year with "Strange Are the Ways of Love." Moreover, she was signed to star in The Big Beat in the spring of 1957. The film, which featured musical performances by the Cal Tjader Quintet, George Shearing, and the Del Vikings, was produced and directed by William Cowan and released in February 1958.
In 1958, Grant was one of the three solo singers featured in the first stereo LP of the classic musical Show Boat. The other solo singers were Howard Keel, who had appeared in the 1951 film version of the show, and Anne Jeffreys.
Although she made albums and appeared on television into the 1960s, her popularity declined and she initially retired from singing in 1967 after a final US chart single, "The Sea" (top 20 on Billboard's Easy Listening chart). An album of hers was released in UK some 20 years later. Grant survived cancer surgery and was in remission. In 2004, aged 80, she made an appearance on the PBS 1950s pop music special Magic Moments and sang "The Wayward Wind."
Grant headlined with The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies in Palm Springs, California. One of her more notable appearances of her later years was with the Follies on December 31, 2006. She was still performing as late as 2013, at the age of 89.
In 1959, Grant married attorney Robert Rifkind. The couple had two children.
Grant died on March 10, 2016, aged 91. Her death was announced by her son, Joshua Beckett. She also had a daughter, Jeri Brown.
On The Sunny Side Of The Street
Gogi Grant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I had nothing but shadows
Then one morning you passed
And I brightened at last
Now I greet the day and complete the day
With the sun in my heart
All my worry blew away
When you taught me how to say
Grab your coat and get your hat
Leave your worry on the doorstep
Just direct your feet
To the sunny side of the street
Can't you hear a pitter-pat?
And that happy tune is your step
Life can be so sweet
On the sunny side of the street
I used to walk in the shade
With those blues on parade
But I'm not afraid
This Rover crossed over
If I never have a cent
I'd be rich as Rockefeller
Gold dust at my feet
On the sunny side of the street
Grab your street
Gogi Grant's song "On The Sunny Side Of The Street" begins by conveying a sense of loneliness and despair. The singer feels disconnected from the world and trapped in their own shadows. However, everything changes when they encounter another person who brightens up their day. With this person's help, the singer is able to leave their worries behind and find happiness in the present moment. The song encourages listeners to embrace positivity and enjoy life, even in the face of adversity.
The chorus of the song offers a simple yet powerful message of hope. The singer tells us to "grab your coat and get your hat," leave our worries behind, and head to the "sunny side of the street." The imagery of this chorus is incredibly vivid, with "pitter-pat" footsteps and a "happy tune" in the air. It is hard not to feel uplifted by the sheer joy of these lyrics. The final verse emphasizes the singer's newfound sense of confidence and courage. They acknowledge that they used to be stuck in the shadows, but that they are no longer afraid. In fact, they feel like they are walking on gold dust and living a life of abundance, even if they have no money to their name.
Line by Line Meaning
Walked with no one and talked with no one
I used to be lonely and had no one to talk to.
And I had nothing but shadows
My life was dark and gloomy and I had nothing to look forward to.
Then one morning you passed
Then one day, you came into my life.
And I brightened at last
My life finally became brighter and more meaningful.
Now I greet the day and complete the day
I wake up each day with a positive outlook and end each day on a high note.
With the sun in my heart
I have a warm and happy feeling inside me.
All my worry blew away
All my worries disappeared.
When you taught me how to say
When you showed me how to be happy and positive.
Grab your coat and get your hat
Get ready to go out and enjoy the day.
Leave your worry on the doorstep
Don't think about your problems, just leave them behind for now.
Just direct your feet
Go where your heart takes you.
To the sunny side of the street
Go where it's bright and lively, with a positive atmosphere.
Can't you hear a pitter-pat?
Listen to the happy sound of your own footsteps.
And that happy tune is your step
Your footsteps are like a happy melody.
Life can be so sweet
Life can be wonderful and full of joy.
On the sunny side of the street
If you focus on the positive things in life, everything will seem brighter.
I used to walk in the shade
I used to be sad and depressed.
With those blues on parade
I used to be overwhelmed with sadness.
But I'm not afraid
But now I am not scared anymore.
This Rover crossed over
I have left my sad and lonely past behind me.
If I never have a cent
Even if I don't have much money,
I'd be rich as Rockefeller
I'd still feel wealthy and blessed because of the positive people and things in my life.
Gold dust at my feet
I feel like my life is full of valuable and wonderful things.
On the sunny side of the street
I am now focused on the positive things in life, and everything seems brighter and happier!
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dennishalford5763
@@oscarguardado8583
Oscar, you are only 22! This is amazing! I'm very impressed! You have excellent taste in music!!!
I discovered Gogi Grant when I was about 14 years old and fell in love with her voice. I have all of her albums. When she came out of retirement to start performing again, I would always go backstage to see her.
The song "On the Sunny Side of the Street" is one of the great classics of American popular music. Most of the great singers have recorded it, but Gogi's version has always been the best, in my opinion. Kay Starr was also a very fine singer. This is even more proof you have good taste in music!
Gogi Grant did all the singing for a movie titled "The Helen Morgan Story," starring Paul Newman and Ann Blyth. Ann Blyth plays Helen Morgan in the film, but Gogi does all the singing for her.
Ann Blyth lipsyncs to Gogi Grant's recorded soundtracks. Gogi said one time backstage that she wished she could have had a chance at doing the acting in the film, in addition to doing the singing. But Ann Blyth was a huge movie star at the time.
You need to find the movie somewhere and watch it. It is based on the true-life story of Helen Morgan, a famous singer back in the 1920s. It's a very enjoyable film, and Gogi sings all through it.
I think it's wonderful that you are interested in hearing these truly great American singers!
Meeting Tippi Hedren must have been exciting! She was the star of the great Alfred Hitchcock classic "The Birds." I can remember as a young kid going to see that movie. She was such a beautiful woman, too, Tippi Hedren, a very famous model before her acting career began.
I haven't heard anything about Tippi Hedren in a very long time. I just googled her. She is up there in age now, but, fortunately, is alive and doing well.
P.S. I just noticed your post about Keely Smith. You do have good taste in singers! I have several of her albums, and you're right, she did record "On the Sunny Side of the Street."
@Mega12891289
The purist and best rendition of this classic song.
@dennishalford5763
No other singer need ever attempt this great standard. It can't be sung any better! A perfect coupling of a superb voice with a superb arrangement!
@oscarguardado8583
Dennis Halford Keely Smith also sang this song but I agree with you no one like Gogi Grant could sing it with such beauty!
@dennishalford5763
@@oscarguardado8583
She was a superb singer! In my opinion, the finest singer of American popular music ever.
I met her many, many times over the years, including her son Joshua and two of her sisters because they were often at her performances.
A very gracious, classy lady she was, too, in addition to being extremely talented.
@oscarguardado8583
Dennis Halford I also agree with you and I’m only 22! It just have been a great blessing to have meet her! I’ve only meet Tippi Hedren & a close friend of Kay Starr.
@dennishalford5763
@@oscarguardado8583
Oscar, you are only 22! This is amazing! I'm very impressed! You have excellent taste in music!!!
I discovered Gogi Grant when I was about 14 years old and fell in love with her voice. I have all of her albums. When she came out of retirement to start performing again, I would always go backstage to see her.
The song "On the Sunny Side of the Street" is one of the great classics of American popular music. Most of the great singers have recorded it, but Gogi's version has always been the best, in my opinion. Kay Starr was also a very fine singer. This is even more proof you have good taste in music!
Gogi Grant did all the singing for a movie titled "The Helen Morgan Story," starring Paul Newman and Ann Blyth. Ann Blyth plays Helen Morgan in the film, but Gogi does all the singing for her.
Ann Blyth lipsyncs to Gogi Grant's recorded soundtracks. Gogi said one time backstage that she wished she could have had a chance at doing the acting in the film, in addition to doing the singing. But Ann Blyth was a huge movie star at the time.
You need to find the movie somewhere and watch it. It is based on the true-life story of Helen Morgan, a famous singer back in the 1920s. It's a very enjoyable film, and Gogi sings all through it.
I think it's wonderful that you are interested in hearing these truly great American singers!
Meeting Tippi Hedren must have been exciting! She was the star of the great Alfred Hitchcock classic "The Birds." I can remember as a young kid going to see that movie. She was such a beautiful woman, too, Tippi Hedren, a very famous model before her acting career began.
I haven't heard anything about Tippi Hedren in a very long time. I just googled her. She is up there in age now, but, fortunately, is alive and doing well.
P.S. I just noticed your post about Keely Smith. You do have good taste in singers! I have several of her albums, and you're right, she did record "On the Sunny Side of the Street."
@oscarguardado8583
Dennis Halford I discovered Gogi Grant when I purchased the vinyl of the soundtrack to that film when I was 19 and I recently saw the film last year during the summer, it was a great one and I loved the ending! I meet Tippi Hedren last year in January a week after her birthday! I had a nice collection but I lost it when I moved, the only records I have at the moment are of Connie Francis and The Supremes.
@benorn100
gogi grant has one of the best voices I ever heard have all of her albums
@barbiesings1
I have been trying to figure out why it didn't seem to be Helen Morgan's voice I remembered from when I was a young girl! It was Gogi Grant that sang for the movie The Helen Morgan Story!! I remember I absolutely loved this woman's voice!
@julirensch
class act class vocalist