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)
Just In Time
Kate Smith Lyrics
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Life was serene, I knew where I was at
"There's no hope for him," my dearest friends would mutter
I was something dragged in by the cat. Then
Just in time, I found you just in time
Before you came my time was running low
I was lost, the losing dice were tossed
Now you're here and now I know just where I'm going
No more doubt or fear, I found my way
For love came just in time, you found me just in time
And changed my lonely life that lovely day
The song "Just in Time" by Kate Smith is a story of hope, love, and redemption. The first few lines of the song set a grim tone as the singer describes his life, wallowing in the gutter. His friends have given up on him, and he has nowhere to go. But then, just in time, he meets someone who changes his life.
The chorus of the song is a reflection of the singer's feelings about this person. He says he found them just in time because his time was running low. He was lost, but now he has found his way. Love came just in time, and it changed his lonely life that lovely day. These lines suggest that he has found a new purpose and motivation in life, thanks to this person's love.
The song's message is that it's never too late to make a change, and love can come unexpectedly and change one's life. It's a hopeful message that many people can relate to, and the uplifting melody of the song reinforces this message.
Line by Line Meaning
I was resting comfortably, face down in the gutter
I was in a state of comfort in the lowest of places
Life was serene, I knew where I was at
I felt a sense of peace in my miserable situation
"There's no hope for him," my dearest friends would mutter
My closest companions had given up on me and believed I was doomed
I was something dragged in by the cat. Then
I was like a helpless animal being carried away by the forces of life. And then...
Just in time, I found you just in time
I discovered you just when I needed you most
Before you came my time was running low
Prior to meeting you, I was quickly losing my way in life
I was lost, the losing dice were tossed
I was completely at a loss and my future seemed bleak
My bridges all were crossed, nowhere to go
I had exhausted all of my options and there seemed to be no escape
Now you're here and now I know just where I'm going
You showed up just when I needed direction and now I have purpose
No more doubt or fear, I found my way
I am no longer plagued by uncertainty or anxiety because I have found my path
For love came just in time, you found me just in time
I met you at the perfect moment and your love saved me from my despair
And changed my lonely life that lovely day
You transformed my solitary existence when you entered my life
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Adolph Green, Betty Comden, Jule Styne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind