Her musical career began in earnest when she was discovered in 1930 by Columbia Records vice president Ted Collins, who became her longtime partner and manager and who put her on the radio in 1931. She sang the controversial top twenty song of 1931, "That's Why Darkies Were Born". She starred in the 1932 movie Hello Everybody!, with co-stars Randolph Scott and Sally Blane, and in 1943 she sang "God Bless America" in the wartime picture This is the Army. Irving Berlin had written the song in 1938 for her, and it is considered "the second National Anthem" of the United States. Its popularity and constant airplay led Woody Guthrie to pen the original version of "This Land Is Your Land" in protest at the Berlin tune's unquestioning complacency.
Kate began making records in 1926; among her biggest hits were "River, Stay 'Way From My Door" (1931), "The Woodpecker Song" (1940), "The White Cliffs of Dover" (1941), "Rose O'Day" (1941), "I Don't Want to Walk Without You" (1942), "There Goes That Song Again" (1944), "Seems Like Old Times" (1946), and "Now Is the Hour" (1947). Her theme song was "When the Moon Comes Over the Mountain", the lyrics of which she helped write. She greeted audiences with "Hello, everybody!" and signed off with "Thanks for listenin'."
Her oversized figure made her the occasional butt of derision from fellow performers and managers. Despite the occasional ridicule, Smith was a major star of radio, usually backed by Jack Miller's Orchestra. She began in 1931 with her twice-a-week NBC series, Kate Smith Sings (which quickly expanded to six shows a week), followed by a series of shows for CBS: Kate Smith and Her Swanee Music (1931-33), sponsored by La Palina Cigars; The Kate Smith Matinee (1934-35); The Kate Smith New Star Revue (1934-35); Kate Smith's Coffee Time (1935-36), sponsored by A&P; and The Kate Smith A&P Bandwagon (1936-37).
For eight years (1937-45), The Kate Smith Hour was a leading radio variety show, offering comedy, music and drama with appearances by top personalities of films and theater. The nationwide audience was introduced to comedy by the show's resident comics, Abbott and Costello and Henny Youngman, while a series of sketches led to The Aldrich Family as a spin-off in 1940. She continued into the 1950s on the Mutual Broadcasting System, CBS, ABC and NBC, doing both music and talk shows.
An unusual part of her career began on December 11, 1969, when the Philadelphia Flyers hockey team played her rendition of "God Bless America" before the game. Philadelphia beat the Toronto Maple Leafs, 6-3. The team would begin to play the song before home games every once in a while, and the perception developed that the team was more successful on these occasions, so the tradition grew.
Kate Smith, who never married, died of diabetes at the age of 79 in Raleigh, North Carolina, several years after converting to Roman Catholicism. (from Wikipedia)
Dancing With Tears In My Eyes
Kate Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They seem so happy and gay
Though they sing and they swing as they sway
Somehow I can't feel that way
For I'm dancing with tears in my eyes
'Cause the boy/girl in my arms isn't you
Dancing with somebody new
Trying to smile once in a while
But I find it so hard to do
For I'm dancing with tears in my eyes
'Cause the boy/girl in my arms isn't you
While the throng's in the spell of a song
My thoughts keep drifting to you
While each pair seems to share their affair
They're making me blue
For I'm dancing with tears in my eyes
'Cause the boy/girl in my arms isn't you
Dancing with somebody new
When it's you that my heart's calling to
Trying to smile once in a while
But I find it so hard to do
For I'm dancing with tears in my eyes
'Cause the boy/girl in my arms isn't you
The song "Dancing With Tears in My Eyes" by Kate Smith is a heartbreakingly beautiful ballad about the bittersweet experience of dancing with someone new while longing for an old flame. As the singer watches couples around her dance happily together, she can't help but feel a deep sense of sadness and longing for the person who isn't there with her. Even though she's trying to smile and enjoy herself, she can't escape the tears in her eyes.
The lyrics capture the experience of trying to move on from a lost love while still feeling a strong connection to that person. The lines "Trying to smile once in a while / But I find it so hard to do" convey the emotional complexity of the situation. The singer wants to move on and be happy, but her heart is still calling out for someone who isn't there.
The overall effect is a poignant and moving song that captures the pain and beauty of love and loss. It's a song that anyone who's ever experienced a broken heart can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
Those who dance and romance while they dance
People who dance with their partners and are in love look so happy
They seem so happy and gay
They look joyful and carefree
Though they sing and they swing as they sway
Even though they sing and dance with their partners
Somehow I can't feel that way
But I am unable to feel that happiness
For I'm dancing with tears in my eyes
I am dancing with tears in my eyes
'Cause the boy/girl in my arms isn't you
Because the person with whom I am dancing is not you
Dancing with somebody new
I am dancing with someone new
When it's you that my heart's calling to
Even though my heart craves for you
Trying to smile once in a while
Trying to put on a smile
But I find it so hard to do
It is difficult for me to do that
While the throng's in the spell of a song
While everyone around me is under the magic of the music
My thoughts keep drifting to you
My mind is lost in thoughts of you
While each pair seems to share their affair
While all the couples seem to enjoy their time together
They're making me blue
It is making me sad and dejected
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOSEPH A BURKE, AL DUBIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ottb
Mom loved this song when she was a girl. Thank you so much for posting ❤️
Donna Cooper
Love hearing. the young Kate sing! Just thinking as I listen, how fast her career will take off in about a year from this record!
Warongrat Ratanawarang
Today 18 Sep 2020 I still love this beautiful song Dancing with tears in my eyes thank you.
genia106
I LOVE KATE!
I think she had the most beautiful voice.
This song is soooooo very Ultra Romantic.
Love your EXQUISITE visual with all the LOVERS with the BROKEN HEARTS!
Millions of STARS!
Suzi For The Love Of Animals
And all I remember of kate Smith s "God Bless America"
genia106
*****
I think you forgot that she sings at Yankee Stadium during the 7th Inning almost every home game and I feel so proud and patriotic.
I love this country and New York City.
Smooch
G
Barbara Effros
Grzegorz-thank you for this lovely video and bringing Kate Smith's angelic voice to us. I just found out you were frm Poland! Been a fan of yours for a couple years.
Trombonology Erstwhile
I must thank you, Grzegorz, for making me receptive to Kate's considerable talent. I remember seeing her on TV when I was a child -- and paying no attention to her voice. Later I read a story about her bossing around a radio band that included the great Bunny Berigan -- telling them what to do as if they were inexperienced kids -- and I sort of closed my ears to her after that. A while back, though, you posted her record of "Along the Santa Fe Trail," and I realised what a lovely tone she had. That sound is in evidence again here, interpreting this poignant and memorable one. Thanks!
240252
Elisabeth, I am so glad to read your interesting story. I had no idea she could be so motherising in reference to the music masters like Berigan.. However, her posture, in a way, perhaps made her behave in this manner: as the mother of everyone, compared with whose size and loving heart - everyone becomes a child. I always lover her voice - which is so delicate and so lonely - as the crying willow's reflection on a slow moving water.
winfried zinser
I`m born 1956, Father 1931. He told me many things about after 1945. Great music, thanks!