The makeup of the group changed over the years, as some members were drafted during the war and new members were brought in to replace those who had retired or left to join other groups. William Langford joined the group when Griffin left in 1935 and Orlandus Wilson replaced Ford the same year. Clyde Riddick replaced Langford in 1938, Johnson left in 1948 to join "The Jubalaires" and Owens left the group later to become a preacher and solo artist. Riddick remained with the group until his retirement in 1995 and Wilson until his death in 1998.
The Gates had a broad repertoire of styles--from Owens' mournful, understated approach in songs such as Anyhow or Hush, Somebody's Calling My Name, to the group's highly syncopated arrangements in Shadrach, Meshach and Abendigo. Like The Mills Brothers of popular music, they would often include vocal special effects in their songs, imitating train sounds in songs such as Golden Gate Gospel Train. Langford often sang lead, using his ability to range from baritone to falsetto, while Johnson narrated in a hip syncopated style that became the hallmark for the group. Wilson's bass served as the anchor for the group and Owens harmonized with Langford and Johnson.
They achieved regional fame through their radio program in Columbia, South Carolina in the 1930s. They became nationally popular after John Hammond presented them as part of the 1938 extravaganza From Spirituals to Swing in Carnegie Hall, which led to a nationwide radio program, appearances at Cafe Society in 1940 and the opportunity to sing at Franklin Delano Roosevelt's inauguration in 1941, becoming the first black musical group to sing at Constitution Hall. They continued to be popular during World War Two, making several appearances in Hollywood films and singing secular music, including some unique popular front songs such as Stalin Wasn't Stalling that mixed humor with political commentary.
The quartet lost their preeminent position in gospel music after the war, when they faced competition from the newer hard gospel quartets. They continued in their old style, offering sharper political commentary in songs such as God's Gonna Cut 'Em Down, but losing much of their audience to quartets such as the Dixie Hummingbirds and the Soul Stirrers. The Golden Gates revived their career in 1955, however, when they toured Europe for the first time, where they became widely popular. The group moved to Paris in 1959 and has continued touring, primarily in Europe, since then. During his stint in the US Army, in Germany, Elvis Presley, who a huge admirer of their work since his early childhood, visited them backstage at "Le Lido", in Paris, and stayed to watch their entire show, staying also with them at the hotel "Prince de Galles".
The Golden Gate Quartet has been inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998
My Walking Stick
Golden Gate Quartet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't look my best I feel undressed without my cane.
Must have my walking stick 'cause it may rain
When it pours can't be outdoors without my cane.
If I ever left my house without my walking stick
Well it would be something I could never explain
Oh the thing that makes me click, on lovers lane
Be-bop-bop-de-la-dum
Be-bop-a-da-bum
Re-bop-be-a
Rop-a-de-bop
Rump-a-de-dum
Ra-da-da-de
Re-bop-bop-la-da-dum
Re-bop-be-de-a
Rop-a-de-bum
Rop-a-de-bum
Deet-de-de-a
Ra-da-da-dum
If I ever left my house without my walking stick
Well it would be something I could never explain
Oh the thing that makes me click on lovers lane
Would go for naught if I were caught without my cane.
The Golden Gate Quartet's song My Walking Stick is a catchy, upbeat tune that celebrates the importance of having the titular walking stick. The singer declares that they couldn't go outside without it, or they would go insane. The walking stick is essential to the singer's sense of style - they feel "undressed" without it. But it's not just a fashion statement - the walking stick also serves a practical purpose. If it rains, the singer needs it to stay dry. Without it, they would be confined to the indoors. The second verse repeats these sentiments, but with more emphasis on the singer's love life. The walking stick is the thing that makes them "click" on lovers lane - without it, their romantic pursuits would be in jeopardy.
The repetition of the phrase "without my walking stick" and the upbeat, syncopated rhythm of the song create a sense of urgency and playfulness. The song feels like a celebration of a small, but important, thing in life that brings the singer joy and comfort. The scatting in the chorus adds to the playful tone of the song, and the lyrics are cleverly written to fit the rhythm and rhyme scheme.
Overall, the song My Walking Stick is a fun and lighthearted appreciation of a simple object that brings a lot of joy and practicality to the singer's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Without my walking stick, I'd go insane
If I don't have my walking stick, I feel lost and helpless
I can't look my best I feel undressed without my cane.
Without my walking stick, I feel incomplete and not presentable
Must have my walking stick 'cause it may rain
I always carry my walking stick, even if there's a chance of rain
When it pours can't be outdoors without my cane.
I can't go outside when it's raining without my walking stick
If I ever left my house without my walking stick
Forgetting my walking stick is a big mistake
Well it would be something I could never explain
It's hard to describe how important my walking stick is to me
Oh the thing that makes me click, on lovers lane
My walking stick is an essential part of my romantic experiences
Would go for naught if I were caught without my cane.
Without my walking stick, my romantic experiences would be ruined
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Erik954
This is the best song ever!!!
Ukulele Bob Loomis
Sweet! Buegrasser Tom Rozum does a good version of this song ...
Boris Grkovic
+++
Craig Evans
Probably about 1926?
Cayden Kasongo
@Adam Miller 1937
HolyHepcat
@Cayden Kasongo me too! they're amazing!
Cayden Kasongo
@Adam Miller I love this group I started listening 2 years ago
Adam Miller
1939