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.
When I Fall in Love
Johnnie Ray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's all over now
It takes a heart to know the end
I tried to take the chance
To feel the thrill of romance and love
And I let my foolish heart
Become enchanted by starlight above
A tender loving word from you
You've found another love
And forgotten every joy we knew
Please help me understand
The way the angels planned
Our love affair should end
I'll never ever fall
I'll never fall in love again
I'll pretend I never heard
A tender loving word from you
You've found another love
And forgotten every joy we knew
Please help me understand
The way the angels planned
Our love affair should end
I'll never ever fall
I'll never fall in love again
In Johnnie Ray's song "Love in 2-3," the lyrics express the singer's heartbreak and decision to never fall in love again. The opening line, "I'll never fall in love again," sets the tone of the song as one of bitter resignation and disappointment. The singer recognizes that their love affair has come to an end and acknowledges that it takes a heart to know the end. They had taken a chance on experiencing the thrill of romance and love, only to find themselves captivated by the enchantment of starlight above.
The lyrics continue with the singer pretending to never have heard any tender loving words from their former love interest. They lament that their former love has found someone new and seems to have forgotten all the joy they once shared. The plea for understanding in how the angels planned for their love affair to come to an end adds an element of spiritual questioning to the song. Despite the pain, the singer resolutely states that they will never fall in love again.
Overall, this song delves into the emotions of heartbreak, loss, and the decision to protect oneself from future pain by avoiding love altogether. It reflects the singer's struggle to come to terms with the end of their relationship and their desire to move on without ever experiencing the vulnerability of love again.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll never fall in love again
I have decided to avoid experiencing love again
It's all over now
Our relationship has come to an end
It takes a heart to know the end
Only someone who has loved deeply can recognize when love is finished
I tried to take the chance
I made an attempt to embrace the opportunity
To feel the thrill of romance and love
To experience the excitement and emotions of romantic love
And I let my foolish heart
I allowed my naïve and unwise heart
Become enchanted by starlight above
To become captivated and infatuated by the beauty and wonder above in the night sky
I'll pretend I never heard
I will act as if I never listened
A tender loving word from you
A gentle and affectionate word spoken by you
You've found another love
You have discovered a new love
And forgotten every joy we knew
And disregarded all the happiness we once shared
Please help me understand
I kindly ask for your assistance in comprehending
The way the angels planned
The manner in which higher beings intended
Our love affair should end
Our romantic relationship should come to a conclusion
I'll never ever fall
I shall never, under any circumstances, lower myself
I'll never fall in love again
I will not allow myself to experience romantic love again
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Johnnie Ray
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@davidwalsh3439
A great singer. Johnnie Ray was a brilliant performer. This song is just lovely.
@colinpurssey9875
It was a massive hit here in Australia, and deservedly, in the charts for weeks.
@49morocha
Han pasado los años y me sigue gustando como siempre.
@dorothyparker100
Amazing man and song ! So much talent, it couldn't be measured. He was born slightly at the wrong time. There have been few singers and composers as great as him. Thank you for the upload.
@jaimecarsalade6016
¡¡¡ ÉSA ERA MÚSICA DE VERDAD !!! HERMOSA.
@madgearnold2230
Such a brilliant voice.
@ginajohnson6552
Brilliant voice.... amazing song. I love everything about it.♥
@paulrose3171
Absolutely FANTASTIC.....Johnnie Ray was a ONE-OFF.
@retrothingz
Sounds like it may have been difficult for them to reproduce the unique Richard Maltby arrangement and studio instrumental sound in live situations. Seem to recall that Johnnie explained that the "bah dah dah dah dah" was created by a xylophone and snare drum striking the same notes at exactly the same time. My favourite song !
@wadeaminute
Loved around the world he toured for many years , he's my all time favourite singer and one of a kind .