Ray was born in Hopewell, Oregon, spending part of his childhood on a farm, eventually moving to Portland, Oregon. Ray was of Native American origin; his great-grandmother was a full-blooded Native American and his great-grandfather was Oregon pioneer George Kirby Gay of Berkeley, Gloucestershire, England. He became deaf in his right ear at age 13 after an accident during a Boy Scout event. It was his participation in the "blanket toss," a sort of variation of the trampoline, that traumatized the youngster's inner ear. Ray later performed wearing a hearing aid. Surgery performed in New York in 1958 left him almost completely deaf in both ears, although hearing aids helped his condition.
Career
Ray first attracted attention while performing at the Flame Showbar in Detroit, Michigan, an R&B nightclub. Inspired by rhythm singers like Kay Starr, LaVern Baker and Ivory Joe Hunter, Ray developed a unique rhythm based style, described as alternating between pre-rock R&B and a more conventional classic pop approach.
His first record, the self-penned R&B number for OKeh Records, "Whiskey and Gin", was a minor hit in 1951. The following year he dominated the charts with the double-sided hit single of "Cry" and "The Little White Cloud That Cried". Selling over two million copies of the 45 single, Ray's delivery struck a chord with teenagers and he quickly became a teen idol.
Ray's performing style included theatrics later associated with rock 'n roll, including beating up his piano, writhing on the floor and crying. Ray quickly earned the nicknames, "Mr. Emotion", "The Nabob of Sob", and "The Prince of Wails", and several others.
More hits followed, including "Please Mr. Sun", "Such a Night", "Walkin' My Baby Back Home", "A Sinner Am I", and "Yes Tonight Josephine". His last hit was "Just Walkin' in the Rain", in 1956. He did, however, hit again in 1957 with "You Don't Owe Me a Thing", which reached #10 in the Billboard charts. He was popular in the United Kingdom, breaking the record at the London Palladium formerly set by Frankie Laine.[citation needed] In later years, he retained a loyal fan base overseas, particularly in Australia.
Later career influences
Ray had a close relationship with journalist and television game show panelist Dorothy Kilgallen who gave a boost to his sagging career during his engagement at the Tropicana Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1965.
In early 1969, Ray befriended Judy Garland, performing as her opening act during her last concerts in Copenhagen, Denmark and Malmo, Sweden. Ray was also the best man during Garland's wedding to nightclub manager Mickey Deans in London.[4]
Ray's American career revived in the early 1970s, with appearances on The Andy Williams Show in 1970 and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson three times during 1972 and 1973. His personal manager Bill Franklin resigned in 1976 and cut off contact with the singer a few years later. His American revival turned out to be shortlived. He performed in small American venues such as El Camino College in 1987. Australian, English and Scottish promoters booked him for their large venues as late as 1989, his last year of performing.
Some writers suggested that the reason American entertainment bookers and songwriters ignored him in the 1980s was because they simply did not know who he was, or what his sound was like. His exposure during the new era of cable television was limited to a few seconds in Dexys Midnight Runners' 1982 music video for "Come On Eileen", using archival footage of Ray from 1954. He was name checked in the lyrics to "Come On Eileen" (viz "Poor old Johnnie Ray sounded sad upon the radio / he moved a million hearts in mono").
His other video appearance was in Billy Idol's 1986 "Don't Need a Gun", in which Ray appeared on-camera.
Ain't Misbehavin'
Johnnie Ray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All by myself
No one to walk with
But I'm happy on the shelf
Ain't misbehavin'
I'm savin' my love for you
I know for certain
I'm through with flirtin'
It's just you I'm thinkin' of
Ain't misbehavin'
I'm savin' my love for you
Like Jack Horner
In the corner
Don't go nowhere
What do I care?
Your kisses are worth waitin' for
Believe me
I don't stay out late
Don't care to go
I'm home about eight
Just me and my radio
Ain't misbehavin'
I'm savin' my love for you
Like Jack Horner
In the corner
Don't go nowhere
What do I care?
Your kisses are worth waitin' for
Believe me
I don't stay out late
Don't care to go
I'm home about eight
Just me and my radio
Ain't misbehavin'
I'm savin' my love for you
The lyrics of Johnnie Ray's "Ain't Misbehavin'" tell the story of a person who finds themselves all alone with no one to share their time with. Despite this, they seem content in their solitude, declaring that they are "happy on the shelf." The person singing is saving all their love for a special someone, someone they love more than anyone else. The verses are filled with vivid imagery and metaphors, painting a picture of a person who is content with their daily routine and doesn't need anyone else to make them happy.
The first verse sets the tone for the song, describing the singer's lonely state. They are by themselves, not a soul in sight, but they claim to be "happy on the shelf." This line is noteworthy because it represents a sort of defiance of societal norms. Being alone is often seen as something negative, but the singer claims to be happy this way. The next verse delves deeper into the singer's mindset, indicating that they are through with flirting and have found the one they love. They are completely devoted to this person and are saving all their love for them.
The final verse brings it all together, showing that the singer isn't just sitting around waiting for their special someone to arrive. They are going about their daily routine and are content with their simple life. The "Just me and my radio" line gives the listener insight into the singer's world, emphasizing their quiet and solitary existence in a larger social context. Overall, the song is a beautiful portrayal of someone who is content with their simple life and is completely devoted to the one they love.
Line by Line Meaning
No one to talk with
I am alone and have no one to talk to.
All by myself
I am by myself and do not have any company.
No one to walk with
I am alone and have no one to walk with.
But I'm happy on the shelf
Even though I am alone, I am content with myself.
Ain't misbehavin'
I am behaving appropriately and not doing anything wrong.
I'm savin' my love for you
I am keeping my love for only you.
I know for certain
I am completely sure.
The one I love
The person that I have deep feelings for.
I'm through with flirtin'
I am done flirting with other people.
It's just you I'm thinkin' of
I am only thinking about you.
Like Jack Horner
Similar to the character Jack Horner from the nursery rhyme who sits in the corner.
In the corner
In a quiet, unassuming place.
Don't go nowhere
I am happy staying where I am.
What do I care?
I don't care about anything else.
Your kisses are worth waitin' for
I believe that your kisses are valuable and worth the wait.
Believe me
Trust what I am saying is true.
I don't stay out late
I do not stay out late at night.
Don't care to go
I do not desire to go out.
I'm home about eight
I am usually back home by 8 PM.
Just me and my radio
My only company is the radio.
Ain't misbehavin'
I am behaving appropriately and not doing anything wrong.
I'm savin' my love for you
I am keeping my love for only you.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Andy Razaf, Fats Waller, Harry Brooks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MrRossHartman
Johnnie has several versions of this song floating around; thanks for posting the hit version!
@SartorialisticSavage65
Incredible
@brentnunn1374
It is just that. I was 9 years old when he cut this record--was, and is, one of my favorites
@SartorialisticSavage65
@@brentnunn1374
Sure nuff. I was below 0 then hehe. Grew up hearing oldies and it turned into true love.n