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.
The More I See You
Gogi Grant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Each time you're near me the thrill is new
And there is nothing that I wouldn't do for
The rare delight of the sight of you for
The more I see you, the more I want you
Somehow this feeling just grows and grows
With every sigh I become more mad about you
Can you imagine how much I love you?
The more I see you as years go by
I know the only one for me can only be you
My arms won't free you, my heart won't try
I know the only one for me can only be you
My arms won't free you, my heart won't try
Gogi Grant's "The More I See You" is a mesmerizing love song that captures the emotion of falling in love. The song highlights the feeling of seeing the person you love every time as if you are seeing them for the first time. The thrill of their presence is always new and there is nothing that you would not do to have the rare delight of seeing them. The more you see them, the more you want them, the more you become infatuated with them.
The lyrics of the song paint a picture of a timeless and unbreakable love that grows stronger every day. The more the years go by, the more you realize that the only person for you is the one you are in love with. You cannot imagine living life without them, and cannot fathom how much you love them. The idea of being without them is unbearable, and you would do anything to make sure you are with them forever.
The song speaks to a universal experience of love that many people can relate to. It captures the beauty and magic of being in love, and how it can make a person feel alive. The song also showcases the importance of commitment and the desire to hold onto that love forever.
Line by Line Meaning
Each time I look at you is like the first time
Every time I see you, it's as exciting as the first time we met
Each time you're near me the thrill is new
Being close to you always feels fresh and exciting
And there is nothing that I wouldn't do for The rare delight of the sight of you for
I would do anything just to see your beautiful face again
The more I see you, the more I want you
The more time I spend with you, the more I desire you
Somehow this feeling just grows and grows
My attraction to you only gets stronger over time
With every sigh I become more mad about you
Every time I think of you I fall deeper in love with you
More lost without you and so it goes
I feel incomplete and aimless without you in my life
Can you imagine how much I love you?
Do you have any idea how strong my feelings are for you?
The more I see you as years go by
My love for you only grows deeper as time passes
I know the only one for me can only be you
I am certain that you are the only person meant for me
My arms won't free you, my heart won't try
I will always hold on to you and never let go, I will never stop loving you
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mack Gordon, Harry Warren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jymster46
She really does have an amazing voice, I think. Thank you so much for listening and commenting. Jim
Gemminicus
Thanks! Gogi says this album, Welcome to My Heart was her father's personal favorite of all her recordings. To think in the 70s I was spending as much as $100 for any LP I found of hers in even decent condition, in the 80's thrilled finding & buying multiple copies of new Japanese & Spanish re-issues at any price. Then with the advent of the CD I feared no one would care enough to digitalize her recordings. Now it's all there but last 2 albums & a few great Liberty singles I'm still hoping for.
Jymster46
Thank you so much for your comment. It means a lot. I'm so glad you liked it! Jim
frank ioele
Gogi tells a story with each song she sings. She is one of the very few singers who can give me goose bumps every time I hear her. A GREAT VOICE!!!
Jymster46
I know what you mean about the "goose bumps". I have the same reaction. A special singer, for sure. Thank you so much for listening!
Jim
nonstopdoowop1
lovely job on the video. good work
Wayne Arthur
Only song I really ever remember from Gogi Grant is The Wayward Wind. Although a great song, it doesn't show her great singing voice. I am surprised by how great she sounds, thrilled I found out her gift! Wayne Arthur
Ben
she has such a cry in her voice never archive the success she deserves to rest in peace
Jymster46
@sorrowfulflower Hi, Heather! Oh, I had forgotten the song in that movie. Thanks for the reminder! The version that was popular when I was growing up was the one by Chris Montez in 1966 but I like this version too. Thanks so much for watching and for leaving such a nice and informative comment! Jim
Jymster46
@azw596 Oh, Thank You for the kind words and for taking the time to watch the video! I too love her voice and have enjoyed her music for a long time. Thanks again! Jim