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)
The Last Time I Saw Paris
Kate Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Has left her old companions and faded from view
Lonely men with lonely eyes are seeking her in vain
Her streets are where they were, but there's no sign of her
She has left the Seine
I heard the laughter of her heart in every street cafâ??
The last time I saw Paris, her trees were dressed for spring,
And lovers walked beneath those trees and birds found songs to sing.
I dodged the same old taxicabs that I had dodged for years.
The chorus of their squeaky horns was music to my ears.
The last time I saw Paris, her heart was warm and gay,
No matter how they change her, I'll remember her that way.
I'll think of happy hours, and people who shared them
Old women, selling flowers, in markets at dawn
Children who applauded, Punch and Judy in the park
And those who danced at night and kept our Paris bright
'Til the town went dark.
The lyrics of the song "The Last Time I Saw Paris" by Kate Smith is a poignant reminder of the fading memories of a heartwarming and romatic Paris that the singer once knew. The song begins by depicting Paris as a romantic and charming lady who has disappeared from sight, leaving behind lonely men looking for her in vain. The streets that once belonged to her are now empty, and there is no sign of the beautiful lady. She has departed from Seine, the river that runs through Paris, and has left everything behind.
The singer then reminisces about the last time she saw Paris, where her heart was warm and gay. She heard the laughter of Paris's heart in every street cafe and saw the trees dressed up for Spring, lovers walked beneath these trees and birds found songs to sing. The singer fondly remembers dodging the same old taxicabs that she had dodged for years, and the sound of their squeaky horns was music to her ears. She emphasizes that no matter how much Paris changes, she will always remember her that way, as happy hours and people who shared them, old women selling flowers in markets at dawn, children who applauded, Punch and Judy in the park, and those who danced at night and kept the city bright until the town went dark.
The lyrics of this song significantly conjure up a nostalgic image of Paris, evoking our memories of a romantic and charming city full of life, joy, and vibrancy. It highlights the aspects of Paris that make it a classic destination, a place where people and their emotions meet, making it enchanting, warm, and festive. The song also underscores the fleeting nature of beauty and romanticism, serving as a gentle reminder of how things could change, and memories are all that we would have left.
Line by Line Meaning
A lady known as Paris, Romantic and Charming
Paris is often described as a beautiful and captivating woman
Has left her old companions and faded from view
Paris has changed and evolved over time, leaving behind its past and earlier versions of itself
Lonely men with lonely eyes are seeking her in vain
Many people come to Paris in search of something, hoping to find meaning and fulfillment, but often leave feeling unfulfilled and empty
Her streets are where they were, but there's no sign of her
Paris may physically remain the same, but the essence and spirit of the city may be lost, making it unrecognizable and unfamiliar
She has left the Seine
Paris has evolved beyond the river Seine, which was once a defining feature of the city
The last time I saw Paris, her heart was warm and gay,
The last time the singer experienced Paris, it was a lively and joyful place filled with positive energy and warmth
I heard the laughter of her heart in every street cafâ??
The atmosphere of Paris was so vibrant and inviting that even in the cafes, one could feel the joy and energy of the city
The last time I saw Paris, her trees were dressed for spring,
During the singer's last visit, Paris was in bloom and filled with new life and growth
And lovers walked beneath those trees and birds found songs to sing.
The beauty of Paris inspired romantic and poetic feelings, and the natural world was an integral part of the city's charm
I dodged the same old taxicabs that I had dodged for years.
Despite the changes in Paris, some things remain constant, such as the iconic taxis that have been a staple of the city for many years
The chorus of their squeaky horns was music to my ears.
Even the sounds of Paris, such as the honking of taxi horns, contributed to the charm and character of the city
No matter how they change her, I'll remember her that way.
Even as Paris evolves and changes, the singer will always remember the city as the vibrant and enchanting place she once knew
I'll think of happy hours, and people who shared them
The singer looks back fondly on the moments of joy and happiness she experienced in Paris, as well as the people who were a part of those memories
Old women, selling flowers, in markets at dawn
The singer remembers the everyday people of Paris, such as the flower vendors who lined the markets in the early hours of the morning
Children who applauded, Punch and Judy in the park
The innocence and happiness of Paris is seen in the children who enjoyed the traditional puppet show of Punch and Judy in the city's parks
And those who danced at night and kept our Paris bright
The nightlife of Paris was full of energy and passion, and those who lived and worked there contributed to the city's vibrancy
Til the town went dark.
But even in a city that never sleeps, there comes a time when it grows quiet and still, and Paris is no exception
Lyrics © CONSALAD CO., Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Georges Auric, William Engvick, Jacques Larue
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ben Winters
This woman kept the country going during the War.
Kathleen Mcneil
It's good to hear this song, thanks kate
Patricia Cercone
I find the rendition of Last Time I Saw Paris by Ann Sothern far superior. It reveals a love for Paris, regret about what has been done to it and faith that memories of the faith, warmth, beauty of this beautiful city will always live on.
Paul Lindemeyer
Ann Sothern sung it in the movie, but Kate Smith is singing it here.
Patrick Fleming
The wonderful Kate Smith
Anne Reilley
Kate Smith doesn't sound as if she understands the song the way Ann did. She may as well be singing Take Me Out to the Ball Game. It's not supposed to be an upbeat song.
Patrick Fleming
A wonderful version
chancelark
Code Name Verity
Hydrogen
That's why I'm here. Great book.