Her mom worked on the behind the scenes of videos, taking Ilene with her. She started acting at two years old. When she was 14, she was given the job to have her own radio show on the new station called The Blue Network on ABC Radio during the 1944 summer. It was shortly known as The Ilene Woods Show. The entire show was about 15 minutes of music for 3 days a week. A lot of songwriters came on the show to present their music to her. That was how she became friends with Mack David and Jerry Livingston. Later in life she moved to California, feeling it was time to move on.
Her mother was a lot like Ilene. She was very strict, and had Ilene live her youngest years through life lived only by her mother's way.
One day, two of her friends Mack David and Jerry Livingston called. They asked for a favor of her to record on discs, a few of their most recent written songs for a movie. They also wanted her not just to record them, but to sing them. When her friends asked it as a favor, and not for business, she wasn't sure if she should record the songs. Soon the songs were presented to Walt Disney so it could be used in the English version of Cinderella. Walt Disney heard Ilene's voice on the tape, and two days later asked Ilene to voice the star role of Cinderella. She gladly accepted the role, surprised by the fact that she was auditioning, and over 300 other auditioning girls. She only saw Walt Disney after every day working on Cinderella. She said at one interview for Classicfilm, "Seeing it in its new form was breathtaking for me. It's so beautiful. The color is magnificent, it just took my breath away, it was so wonderful. I sort of forget when I'm watching the movie that I had anything to do with it. Yet, it brings back so many beautiful memories of working with the wonderful artists and working with Walt mostly. It brings back wonderful, wonderful memories."
For the direct-to-video sequels to Cinderella, she was replaced by Jennifer Hale to voice Cinderella.
Her recent film appearance was Cassie in Touched By An Angel as a night nurse. She has sung for President Roosevelt at his home in Hyde Park. She also sang at the White House for President Truman, after singing for the soldiers and sailors of war.
She married the first time at the age of 17 to Stephen Steck, Jr. and had one child by that marriage, her daughter Stephanie. After a divorce, she married The Tonight Show drummer Ed Shaughnessy in 1963 and had two sons, James and Daniel.
When Disney began releasing videocassette versions of its animated films, Woods was one of at least three actresses to file lawsuits over royalties for their performances; at the time of Woods' December 1990 filing, Peggy Lee of Lady and the Tramp had won her lawsuit the previous April and a 1989 suit by Mary Costa of Sleeping Beauty was still pending.[4] In 2003, she was awarded a Disney Legend award for her voicework on the film Cinderella. One of her last film appearances was in Touched by an Angel as night nurse Cassie.
Ilene Woods died on July 1, 2010, from causes related to Alzheimer's disease at a nursing home in Canoga Park. She did not recognize a lot of what was going on around her, but the nurses found that she was most comforted by "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes," so they played it for her as often as possible, her husband, Ed Shaughnessy, told the Los Angeles Times. In addition to her husband of 47 years, she was survived by their son, a daughter from her first marriage, and three grandchildren. Her interment was in Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills).
While We're Young
Ilene Woods Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
while we're young
Everyday is spring,
while we're young
None can refuse,
time flies so fast
Too dear to lose,
Though it maybe just for today
Share our love we must,
while we met
So blue the skies,
our sweet surprise
Shines before our eyes,
while we're young
So blue the skies,
our sweet surprise
Shines before our eyes,
while we're young
The lyrics of Ilene Woods's song "While We're Young" speak to the idea of seizing the moment and cherishing the time that we have, especially when we're young. The singer highlights the fact that every day can feel like spring, full of new beginnings and possibilities, when we're in our youth. However, the lyrics also acknowledge that time passes quickly and that the moments we have with those we care about are precious.
The line "sounds were made to sing" represents the idea that life is meant to be lived fully and enjoyed to the utmost, with music acting as a universal language that brings people together. The repetition of the line "so blue the skies, our sweet surprise, shines before our eyes, while we're young" emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment and recognizing the beauty that surrounds us.
The lyrics also suggest that love is something that should be shared and celebrated, especially while we have the chance. Despite the fact that life can be fleeting and bittersweet at times, the song encourages us to make the most of the time we have and cherish those in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Sounds were made to sing, while we're young
Music was meant to be played and enjoyed while we are young and energetic
Everyday is spring, while we're young
When we are young, every day feels like a fresh start and full of possibilities
None can refuse, time flies so fast
No one can argue that time goes by quickly and we need to make the most of it while we can
Too dear to lose, and too sweet to last
The experiences and people we cherish are precious to us, yet they may not last forever
Though it maybe just for today, share our love we must, while we met
Even if we only have a short time together, we should still express our feelings and show love towards each other
So blue the skies, our sweet surprise
The clear and beautiful sky is a delight to see, and it's remarkable how much it can affect our mood
Shines before our eyes, while we're young
We should appreciate the beauty around us because it may not always be there to enjoy
Contributed by Jordyn P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@IntelSeeker
What a glorious voice she had. I wish she'd recorded more. Thank you SO MUCH for posting this. Her voice is absolutely exquisite! She was truly chosen by God to bring us all so much pleasure. We love you Ilene Woods!
@thenitenitecaraloo7101
Amen 🙏🏿💜
@zzziiii926
Her voice alone could bring back so many memories and makes me wanna cry and just think about life
@thenitenitecaraloo7101
Same here. 😔🥲
@sarahwaldron6033
Now this is real talent! No auto tune, just her beautiful voice! : ) How many female singers do you know, who can convey this much sophistication and grace using only their voice? Not their image, not their crazy behavior, just their voice. You never hear it nowadays in music.
@miIkymoon
ikr
@ggt47
Sarah C cinderela..
@ggt47
Sarah C no music video ,no background sounds just simple beauty and music.
@daedalus_20v
I can think of several... but only from the same era of golden-voiced gals. ;) Jo Stafford, Julie London, Peggy Lee, Vera Lynn, Pat Suzuki, Helen Forrest, Patsy Cline, Patti Page, to name a few. It's difficult to find a modern counterpart because not only has the style of music (and the business) changed so much, but the singers who can pull off these kinds of vocal heroics tend not to be found on mass market radio they way they were in those days. I'm sure there are more, but the only one that really comes to (my) mind as meeting all of the criteria is perhaps Lara Fabian. She would've been right at home on radio in the 40's. One needs only to hear her sing a song like Caruso live to know she's the real deal.
@EliZevin
True that