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.
Hey There
Johnnie Ray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics to Johnnie Ray's song "Hey There" speak volumes about love and the way it makes us feel. The song opens with the phrase "Hey there, you with the stars in your eyes," which immediately sets the tone for a romantic ballad. The subject of the song is being advised to forget about the woman he's in love with, who seems to be playing games with him.
The lyrics continue, "Love never made a fool of you, you used to be too wise" which suggests that the person singing the song thinks that the subject of the song is being foolish for falling in love. However, the singer then acknowledges the person's romantic tendencies, assuming that they're on a "high flying cloud" because they're in love. The singer then warns the subject of the song to forget about the woman who has him wrapped around her finger, suggesting that she won't care if he breaks free.
The chorus asks the subject of the song whether they're seeing things clearly, or whether they're too in love to hear the advice being given to them. It's a romantic and touching ballad that perfectly captures the highs and lows of falling in love.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey there, you with the stars in your eyes
Addressing the person who is clearly infatuated and blinded by love.
love never made a fool of you
Acknowledging that the person has always been smart and sensible when it comes to love.
you used to be too wise
Implying that the person is now acting foolishly due to the overpowering effect of love.
hey there, you on that high flying cloud
Acknowledging that the person is on cloud nine and feeling very happy and optimistic.
tho' she won't throw a crumb to you
Despite the fact that the person's love interest is not reciprocating the feeling.
you think some day she'll come to you
The person still holds on to hope that one day the love interest will return the feeling.
better forget her
Suggesting that it's better to move on and forget about the love interest who is not interested.
her with her nose in the air
Describing the love interest as being haughty and prideful.
she has you dancing on a string
Illustrating how the love interest is controlling and manipulating the person's emotions.
break it and she won't care
Predicting that if the person were to break free from the love interest's control, the love interest would not be affected.
won't you take this advice I hand you like a brother
Asking the person to take the advice being given to them in a brotherly manner.
or are you not seeing things too clear
Asking if the person is thinking rationally or if their emotions are clouding their judgment.
are you too much in love to hear
Questioning if the person's love is so strong that they are ignoring any rational thinking or advice.
is it all going in one ear and out the other
Asking if the person is really listening to the advice being given or if it's being ignored.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GEORG CHRISTIAN DOLIVO, GREG FIELDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mark Gallagher
I'm glade I made your day. I think more people would have remembered Johnnie's version of this song had not Rosy's been such a big hit. She sucked the air out of all the other recording of this song.
Dragonese1
Really, really love anything done by Johnnie Ray. He was one of the masters of music. Love his Cryin in the Rain and The Little White Cloud that Cried too. There was something special about his voice. You could pick it out in a crowd of thousands and I love this man and his music. Thank you so much for bringing back so many of the special people that made music what it is today. God bless and keep them coming...
catman916
I had not heard this version before. He does a very good job. This has a 1940s feel.
daveyboy100
Johnnie reached position 5 in the UK hit parade in Oct/Nov 1955 and top 30 in the US. Of all the versions released in UK, Johnnie had the biggest seller over a period of time.
Dragonese1
So thrilled when I received my list yesterday for my subscriptions. When I saw this one I squealed with joy. Didn;t know anyone had this. The history on this song is an added plus. I knew that many had recorded this but didn't realize that Rosemary Clooney mad it to #1. Thank you so very much for sharing. Just love it and you also. Music is another word for love.
Corrie121
So good to hear this version again. This is my favourite version of this fantastic song. Thanks for sharing.
Atze Shaw
The healing sound of Johnny Ray. Thanks so much for your efforts!
Mark Gallagher
Thank You, My wife says my taste is too narrow I just like what I like and that is the music of the late 40's and the early 50's. There is no performers out today that can even come close to the great ones back then.
Johnnie Gallagher
Mark Gallagher. My name is Johnnie Ray Gallagher i thought it was funny when i saw our last name.
Loveoldies50
The only time I saw him perform was in a movie and once on TV. I was just a kid, but I became am instant fan. He had a great voice. And, like others, I think he would have been great during the rock and roll era. I think Elvis may have been influenced by his style. Very talented guy.