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.
Suddenly There's a Valley
Gogi Grant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When a cloud holds the sunshine in
Suddenly there's a valley
Where the earth knows peace with man
When a storm hides the distant rainbow
And you think you can't find a friend
Suddenly there's a valley
Where friendships never end
Swept clean by the waving grain
Surveyed by a happy bluebird
And kissed by the falling rain
When you think there's no bright tomorrow
And you feel you can't try again
Suddenly there's a valley
Where hope and love begin
Suddenly there's a valley
Where hope and love begin
Gogi Grant's classic "Suddenly There's a Valley" is a song about finding hope, love, and peace even in the midst of the most trying and difficult times. The lyrics speak about the moments when life feels like an uphill climb, where there's no sunshine or rainbows in sight. However, suddenly, the 'valley' appears and brings a sense of calm and solace that reminds us that we are not alone.
The song starts by speaking about the highest mountaintop, a symbol of success, and how it can be a lonely place. When you reach the top and the shine of your accomplishment starts to fade, the valley appears providing comfort, warmth, and the company of others.
The next phase of the song speaks about how storms hide distant rainbows and the world seems like it has no friends. Then the valley brings people back to life in the form of friendship that never ends. The valley is touched by the seasons, and everything from the waving grain, to happy bluebirds, to the falling rain makes it more engaging and comforting.
Finally, after all the hard times, the valley reminds us that hope and love always begin somewhere. Even when tomorrow seems dark, this song reassures us that the valley's promise of renewed friendships and hope for the future will make everything okay.
Line by Line Meaning
When you've climbed the highest mountain
After reaching the peak of success, feeling triumphant and accomplished.
When a cloud holds the sunshine in
When difficulties and obstacles block the path to happiness and satisfaction.
Suddenly there's a valley
Unexpectedly discovering a place of tranquility and contentment amidst chaos and distress.
Where the earth knows peace with man
A place where nature and humanity coexist in harmony and mutual respect.
When a storm hides the distant rainbow
When setbacks and hardships obscure the possibility of achieving one's desired outcome.
And you think you can't find a friend
Feeling lonely and isolated, with seemingly nobody to turn to.
Where friendships never end
A place where companionship and loyalty are everlasting and unwavering.
Touched only by the seasons
A place unmarred by human intervention, yet still subject to the passage of time and natural cycles.
Swept clean by the waving grain
A place of purity and freshness, characterized by fields of swaying crops and natural beauty.
Surveyed by a happy bluebird
Being watched over and appreciated by a symbol of joy and contentment.
And kissed by the falling rain
A place blessed by the cleansing and nourishing touch of precipitation.
When you think there's no bright tomorrow
When one loses hope and cannot envision a positive future.
And you feel you can't try again
When failure and disappointment leave one demotivated and unable to pursue their goals.
Where hope and love begin
A place where optimism and affection are reignited, allowing for a fresh start and renewed sense of purpose.
Suddenly there's a valley
Unexpectedly discovering a place of tranquility and contentment amidst chaos and distress.
Where hope and love begin
A place where optimism and affection are reignited, allowing for a fresh start and renewed sense of purpose.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHUCK MEYER, BIFF JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@spiderjones6723
Another beautiful song from the mid-fifties. Gogi has a beautiful voice.
@josephhull6289
Gogi Grant had a wonderful voice and was a class act, no matter what she sang
@newyorknight
Agreed💯
@williamgable7554
50's music...hard to beat!
@solowinterwolf
This song just spontaneously began playing in my head; had to hear it again.
@lindalewicki9366
Same exact thing happened to me. Out of the blue I was singing it.
@Siren851
Beautiful presentation. Gogi Grant and this song are timeless.
@charlesfultz8735
Beautiful how it builds to a finale befitting her vocal range
@michaelcoy9279
Beautiful. I am so glad I bought her records when I was young. I love The Wayward Wind. Yes, it is somewhere in your heart. God looks on the inside where men always look on the outside. God Bless all of you here. Smile, it makes our enemies wonder.
@scotnick59
So true, Michael and beautifully said - Kirk