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.
Yes Tonight Josephine
Johnnie Ray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Yip yip way bop de boom)
Promise me your lips are mine
(Yip yip way bop de boom ditty boom ditty)
Josephine, tonight's the time
(Yip yip way bop de boom ditty boom ditty)
I will squeeze and hold you tight
Pack each kiss with dynamite
(Yip yip way bop de boom)
Yes tonight, Josephine, yes tonight (yes tonight)
Everything, Josephine, will be alright (will be alright)
Well I'm gonna give my heart to you
Don't ask me if I love ya 'cause you know it's true
Tonight, Josephine, yes tonight (yes tonight)
I have loved you from the start
(Yip yip way bop de boom ditty boom ditty)
I will keep you in my heart
(Yip yip way bop de boom ditty boom ditty)
I will get you by and by
(Yip yip way bop de boom ditty boom ditty)
If I don't I sure will try
(Yip yip way bop de boom)
Yes tonight, Josephine, yes tonight (yes tonight)
Everything, Josephine, will be alright (will be alright)
Well I'm gonna give my heart to you
Don't ask me if I need ya 'cause you know I do
Tonight, Josephine, yes tonight (yes tonight)
I'll be Jack and you'll be Jill
(Yip yip way bop de boom ditty boom ditty)
Love me 'til my heart grows still
(Yip yip way bop de boom ditty boom ditty)
Baby when you hear me shout
(Yip yip way bop de boom ditty boom ditty)
Kiss me quick, knock me out
(Yip yip way bop de boom)
Yes tonight, Josephine, yes tonight (yes tonight)
Everything, Josephine, will be alright (be alright)
Well I'm gonna give my lips to you
Don't ask me if I want ya 'cause you know it's true
Tonight, Josephine, yes tonight (yip yip way bop de boom ditty boom ditty)
Tonight, Josephine, yes tonight (way bop de boom)
The song "Yes Tonight Josephine" by Johnnie Ray is a lively, upbeat love song about a man who is declaring his love and devotion to a woman named Josephine. The song begins with a catchy vocalization, setting the tone for a fun and playful song. The lyrics express the man's desire to be with Josephine and promise to make the night special for her. He declares his love for her and tells her that everything will be alright as long as they are together. He also suggests they be like Jack and Jill and love each other until their hearts grow still, showing a desire for a long-lasting relationship.
Overall, the song has a happy and energetic feel to it, with a strong emphasis on the power of love. The lyrics convey a sense of excitement and passion, highlighting the joy that can come with being in love. Johnnie Ray's soulful voice adds to the song's emotional impact, making it a classic love song that continues to captivate audiences even today.
Line by Line Meaning
Promise me your lips are mine
I want you to promise that you will kiss only me
Josephine, tonight's the time
Tonight is the perfect night for us to be together, Josephine
I will squeeze and hold you tight
I will embrace you tightly and firmly
Pack each kiss with dynamite
I will make each kiss powerful and explosive
Everything, Josephine, will be alright (will be alright)
Tonight, everything will be fine, Josephine
Well I'm gonna give my heart to you
I am going to give all of my love to you
Don't ask me if I love ya 'cause you know it's true
You don't need to ask me if I love you because you already know the answer
I will keep you in my heart
I will always remember you and keep you close in my heart
I will get you by and by
I will take care of you and provide for you
If I don't I sure will try
And if there are any challenges, I will do my best to overcome them
I'll be Jack and you'll be Jill
Let's be like the characters in the famous story and be together forever
Love me 'til my heart grows still
Love me until the end of my life
Baby when you hear me shout
When I express my love for you loudly and passionately
Kiss me quick, knock me out
Kiss me quickly and passionately, making me swoon with love
Well I'm gonna give my lips to you
I am going to kiss you and give you all of my love
Don't ask me if I want ya 'cause you know it's true
There's no need to question if I desire you, because it's obvious that I do
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOROTHY GOODMAN, WINFIELD SCOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@luismontecinos8918
Promise me your lips are mine
(Yip yip way bop de boom ditty boom ditty)
Josephine tonights the time
(Yip yip way bop de boom ditty boom ditty)
I will squeeze and hold you tight
(Yip yip way bop de boom ditty boom ditty)
Pack each kiss with dynamite
(Yip yip way bop de boom)
Yes tonight, Josephine, yes tonight (yes tonight)
Everything, Josephine, will be alright (will be alright)
Well I'm gonna give my heart to you
Don't ask me if I love ya 'cause you know it's true
Tonight, Josephine, yes tonight (yes tonight)
I have loved you from the start
(Yip yip way bop de boom ditty boom ditty)
I will keep you in my heart
(Yip yip way bop de boom ditty boom ditty)
I will get you by and by
(Yip yip way bop de boom ditty boom ditty)
If I don't I sure will try
(Yip yip…
source: public domain
August 2019
Santiago of Chile
@petersiegfriedkrug
As a child, I often sang the song "Just walking in the rain" when I walked home from school in the rain, without knowing at the time that this song was by Johnnie Ray.
@heatherkelly2580
I have loved JOHNNIE since the 70s
@heatherkelly2580
My late Mother loved him and left me his 78s
@philclough1158
I listen to this charmer every week. 66yrs now n never lost its appeal.
@heatherkelly2580
The one & only, the late, Johnnie Ray "YES TONIGHT JOSEPHINE" at the height of his fame in the 1950s.
@pithyvol
one the better songs the this fantastic artist.....forever htank you...
@guntersallwey335
Meine schönste Zeit. Läuft bei mir noch täglich im Autoradio👍🥹👍
@ursulaba1
Thanks to American Forces Network Radio, German teenagers were able to enjoy the songs that were popular in the US in the 1950s. I'm now 81 and still have Johnnie's autographed photo.
@jackmoore838
Great singer and handsome guy. Rest un Peace Johnnie. Love
@williamtell8253
A brilliant interpretation of a nice rocky song by this famous singer. Johnny Ray is just great!