Born in Royal, Nebraska, Hering began playing piano at age three, and at age six started formal study in classical piano. She studied classical piano and voice at Sacred Heart in Omaha, Nebraska where she became interested in jazz.
After beginning her career at the Blackstone Hotel in Omaha she joined a United States Navy recruiting tour during World War II. In the late 1940s, she worked in Chicago clubs where she once was a supporting vocalist for Anita O'Day. She became known for what might be deemed torch songs.
She signed with Decca Records in 1951 and became known both for pop and jazz. The 1950s saw her at the height of her importance. In that decade she sang in a few films and in 1957 she had a top 30 hit with "Fire Down Below". After her switch to Capitol Records she had success doing interpretations of Cole Porter with Billy May arranging some of the more humorous examples.
In the 1960s she gave up music to teach and later moved to Hollywood to work on film composing with Hugo Friedhofer. She also wrote Interpreting Popular Music At The Keyboard during her final years. She died in Los Angeles of pneumonia in 1991.
Ridin' High
Jeri Southern Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Future all planned,
No more clouds in the sky,
How'm I ridin'? I'm ridin' high!
Someone I love,
Mad for my love,
So long, Jonah goodbye!
Floating on a starlit ceiling,
Doting on the cards I'm dealing,
Gloating because I'm feeling
So hap-hap-happy I'm slap-happy!
So ring bells, sing songs,
Blow horns, beat gongs,
Our love never will die,
How'm I ridin'? I'm ridin' high!
Someone I love,
Mad for my love,
So long, Jonah goodbye!
How'm I ridin'? I'm ridin' high!
Floating on a starlit ceiling,
Doting on the cards I'm dealing,
Gloating because I'm feeling
So hap-hap-happy I'm slap-happy!
So ring bells, sing songs,
Blow horns, beat gongs,
Our love never will die,
How'm I ridin'? I'm ridin' high
The song "Ridin' High" by Jeri Southern has a bright and optimistic tone. The lyrics suggest that the singer is in a good place in her life, with a rosy view of the future. The song opens with "Life's great, life's grand, future all planned, no more clouds in the sky." This gives the sense that everything is going well for the singer, and she is not weighed down by any difficulties or worries. She then goes on to mention that she is in love with someone, and they love her back unconditionally. The line "Our love never will die" reinforces this idea of a strong and lasting love.
Throughout the song, there is repeated emphasis on the singer's happiness and joy. She mentions feeling "hap-hap-happy," and " slap-happy." She also describes "riding high," which suggests she is either high on life or high on love, or perhaps a bit of both.
In the chorus, the singer encourages others to join her in her happy state, urging them to ring bells, sing songs, and beat gongs. The song's upbeat and buoyant tone encourages listeners to feel the same joy and optimism as the singer.
Overall, the song celebrates the good things in life and the power of love to lift us up and make us feel truly alive.
Line by Line Meaning
Life's great, life's grand,
Things are going really well right now
Future all planned,
Everything is set for the future
No more clouds in the sky,
There are no more problems or obstacles in my way
How'm I ridin'? I'm ridin' high!
I am feeling extremely happy and content
Someone I love,
I am in love with someone special
Mad for my love,
I am crazy about them
So long, Jonah goodbye!
I am leaving my past behind and starting fresh with my new love
How'm I ridin'? I'm ridin' high!
I am feeling extremely happy and content
Floating on a starlit ceiling,
I am in a dreamlike state of happiness
Doting on the cards I'm dealing,
I am enjoying every aspect of my life
Gloating because I'm feeling
I am proud of my happiness and want to share it with others
So hap-hap-happy I'm slap-happy!
I am so happy that it is almost overwhelming
So ring bells, sing songs,
Celebrate with me!
Blow horns, beat gongs,
Let's make some noise!
Our love never will die,
Our love is strong and will last forever
How'm I ridin'? I'm ridin' high!
I am feeling extremely happy and content
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLE PORTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind