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)
My Melancholy Baby
Kate Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cuddle up and don't be blue
All your fears are foolish fancy, maybe
You know dear that I'm in love with you!
Every cloud must have a silver lining
Wait until the sun shines through
Smile my honey dear, while I kiss away each tear
Every cloud must have a silver lining
Wait until the sun shines through
Smile my honey dear, while I kiss away each tear
Or else I shall be melancholy too!
The lyrics of Kate Smith's song "My Melancholy Baby" speak about a lover urging his partner to come to him and not be sad. He wants to comfort her and reassure her that all her fears are baseless and that his love for her will bring her joy. The song suggests that even in the darkest times, there is always hope for a brighter tomorrow, and the singer wants his partner to remember that. He asks her to smile, and he promises to kiss away her tears, reminding her that if she is melancholy, it will make him sad too. The lyrics of the song convey the message that love is a powerful force that can heal even the deepest wounds and bring light to the darkest of places.
One interesting fact about "My Melancholy Baby" is that it was written in 1912 by lyricist George A. Norton and composer Ernie Burnett. The song's popularity grew rapidly, and it became a hit in the United States, Europe, and even Japan. It was also featured in several Hollywood productions, including "The Kid from Brooklyn" (1946) and "Sun Valley Serenade" (1941).
Another interesting fact is that the song is now considered a standard in jazz and popular music. Some of the most famous interpretations of "My Melancholy Baby" were performed by artists such as Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald. The song has also been covered by many contemporary artists, including Michael Bublé and Rod Stewart.
"My Melancholy Baby" was even used as a nickname for famous jazz trumpeter Bix Beiderbecke. The song was Beiderbecke's favorite, and he often played it during his performances. His interpretation of "My Melancholy Baby" is still considered one of the best versions of the song ever recorded.
Line by Line Meaning
Come to me my melancholy baby,
I want you to come to me, my dear, even if you are feeling sad.
Cuddle up and don't be blue
Let's embrace and forget about your troubles.
All your fears are foolish fancy, maybe
Your worries aren't rational and are just in your head.
You know dear that I'm in love with you!
I want to reassure you that I love and care for you deeply.
Every cloud must have a silver lining
Every difficult situation has a positive outcome, eventually.
Wait until the sun shines through
Just be patient and things will get better.
Smile my honey dear, while I kiss away each tear
Let me comfort you by kissing away your tears and making you smile.
Or else I shall be melancholy too!
If you don't let me comfort you, I will also feel sad and down.
Lyrics © SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: ERNIE BURNETT, GEORGE NORTON, MARC SHAIMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MoJoPiano
What a trip down memory lane for me. When I was a boy back in the 50s, we NEVER missed Kate Smith's weekly TV show, and I remember well her singing this one on the air. Thanks for posting this Lilly. It made my day! Mike FIVE STARS
@Raina430
So great! We always used to watch her show in the 50's. Such beautiful tone. Thank you!
@debbied1943
Such a perfect voice!
@duhelp
I had forgotten how wonderful she was. Listening to these songs like like being young again.
@hankeringdown
thank you, my mother always listen to her records, thank you