Desmond was born Giovanni de Simone in Detroit, Michigan, United States. He began singing in the St. Joseph's parish choir when he was 11 years old. As a boy he also sang on a local radio station, but at age 15 he quit to work at his father's grocery.[1] He attended Northwestern High School.[3] He retained a love of music, and briefly attended the Detroit Conservatory of Music before heading to the nightclub circuit, playing piano and singing.
In 1939, he formed his own singing group. The group was first called the Downbeats. After being hired to work with Bob Crosby's big band in 1940, it was renamed the Bob-O-Links. The group appeared on 15 commercial recordings by the Crosby orchestra, including two charted hits, "You Forgot About Me" (which reached No. 15), and "Do You Care?" (No. 18).
In the middle of 1941, Desmond decided to leave the Bob-O-Links to go solo. He became the featured vocalist for Gene Krupa's band, replacing Howard Dulaney, in September, recording over a dozen songs, the last of which was "All Those Wonderful Years", a song from the movie Keep 'em Flying, which reached No. 21 on the US chart.
In 1942, he enlisted in the United States Army, but his military service was in fact a continuation of his singing career. He was a member of Glenn Miller's Army Air Forces Orchestra and replaced singer Tony Martin after he joined the US Navy, from November 1943 until July 28, 1945, when the band was shipped home. He and the band played troop and air bases in England, and eventually went to France in December 1944. He made a number of radio broadcasts with the Miller band, and was given his own show called "A Soldier and a Song." on the American Forces Network (and sometimes on BBC Radio). His discharge took place on November 23, 1945.
Desmond married singer Ruth Keddington.
In September 1985, he died of cancer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 65.
Guilty
Johnny Desmond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And think that we should part
It seems as though I have loved you so long
You'll always be in my heart
Is it a sin
Is it a crime
Loving you dear like I do
Guilty of loving you
Maybe I'm wrong dreaming of you
Dreaming the lonely night through
If it's a crime then I'm guilty
Guilty of dreaming of you
What can I do
What can I say
After I've taken the blame?
You say we're through
You'll go your way
But I'll always feel just the same
Maybe I'm right
Maybe I'm wrong
Loving you dear like I do
If it's a crime then I'm guilty
Guilty of loving you
In Johnny Desmond's song Guilty, the lyrics express the dilemma and heartache of a person who has been told that their love is wrong, yet they cannot help the strong feelings they have for the other person. The singer admits to being guilty of loving their partner, even if society deems it a crime. The lyric "If it's a crime then I'm guilty" can be interpreted as the singer accepting the consequences of their love, but unwilling to let go of their feelings. Throughout the song, the singer repeats that the other person will always be in their heart, indicating that no matter what happens, their love will not easily fade away.
The song's lyrics suggest that the love between the two characters is forbidden or taboo, making it even more challenging for the singer to move on. The lyrics also reflect the societal attitudes towards certain types of love, which may include same-sex relationships, interracial relationships, or relationships where one person is already married. Despite societal pressure, the singer finds it impossible to forget their love and move on. The song expresses the singer's longing, regret and hopelessness in the face of societal pressures.
Line by Line Meaning
Though you've decided that our love is wrong
Even though you believe our love is not right
And think that we should part
And you think we should separate from each other
It seems as though I have loved you so long
It feels like I have been in love with you for a very long time
You'll always be in my heart
You will always hold a special place in my heart
Is it a sin
Is it a wrongdoing
Is it a crime
Is it an offense
Loving you dear like I do
To love you as much as I do
If it's a crime then I'm guilty
If loving you is a crime then I admit to being guilty
Guilty of loving you
I am guilty of loving you
Maybe I'm wrong dreaming of you
Maybe it's wrong for me to dream of you
Dreaming the lonely night through
Spending sleepless nights dreaming of you
If it's a crime then I'm guilty
If dreaming of you is a crime then I take the blame
Guilty of dreaming of you
I am guilty of dreaming of you
What can I do
What actions can I take
What can I say
What words can I speak
After I've taken the blame?
Now that I have accepted the fault?
You say we're through
You say our relationship is over
You'll go your way
You will move on with your life
But I'll always feel just the same
But my feelings for you will remain unchanged
Maybe I'm right
Maybe I'm correct
Maybe I'm wrong
Maybe I'm mistaken
Loving you dear like I do
To love you as much as I do
If it's a crime then I'm guilty
If loving you is a crime then I accept responsibility
Guilty of loving you
I am guilty of loving you
Lyrics © DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Harry Akst, Gus Kahn, Richard A. Whiting
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eustace
Very underrated singer! This rendition is very minimal, yet very beautiful.
PAUL VIARDOT
Jolie interprétation !
Dominic Hansen 78rpm Collection
One of the few cases where a cover is better than an al bowlly song in my opinion.
Keith Hyttinen
Nice voice. Never heard of him.
Bond James
sang with Glenn Miller's Army Air Force Band, quite good