In Hollywood she would marry twice: first to actor John Shelton; secondly to actor/singer Johnnie Johnston. She had one daughter. Throughout the 1950s, she carried on an affair with mogul Howard Hughes, and was briefly engaged to him (although this was not included in the film The Aviator, as the film only profiled Hughes through the late 1940s).
Though she started out as MGM's answer to Deanna Durbin (with films such as Seven Sweethearts and Anchors Aweigh), she proved herself a top star in Thousands Cheer, Anchors Aweigh and Two Sisters From Boston, and in the film versions of the Broadway hits Show Boat (1951) and Kiss Me, Kate (1953). Grayson also appeared in a duo of films with tenor Mario Lanza, and Howard Keel, whom she teamed successfully with in a highly lauded cabaret act in the 1960s.
With the end of MGM's great era of musicals, so ended Miss Grayson's film career. Kathryn was on stage in numerous stage musicals such as Show Boat, Rosalinda, Kiss Me, Kate, Naughty Marietta, and The Merry Widow, for which she was nominated for Chicago's Sarah Siddons Award. This lead to her as a replacement for Julie Andrews on Broadway in 1962 in Camelot, scoring a great success, before going on to star in the National tour for over sixteen months, before leaving the show due to health problems. During her period with the Camelot tour, all box-office records were broken and she gained uniformly excellent notices. She would later play the role of Guenevere during that decade. Grayson had a lifelong dream of being an opera star, and she appeared number of operas in the '60s, such as La Boheme, Madame Butterfly, Orpheus in the Underworld and La Traviata. Her dramatic and comedy stage roles included Night Watch, Noises Off, Love Letters and Something's Afoot as Dottie Otterling.
She also appeared on television occasionally. Her first TV appearances were in the 1950s, and she received an Emmy nomination in 1956 for her performance in the "General Electric Theater" episode "Shadow on the Heart" with John Ericson. Most recently, she appeared in several episodes of Angela Lansbury's long-running series "Murder, She Wrote" in the late 1980s.
Never to be overshadowed these days by other talented or exciting MGM contemporaries such as Jane Powell, Ann Miller, Cyd Charisse, Esther Williams and Ann Blyth, Miss Grayson has gained cult status among a large, and wildly devoted, crowd of fans. Kathryn supervised the Voice and Choral Studies Program at the Idaho State University.
According to her secretary, Grayson died in her sleep at her home in Los Angeles, California on February 17, 2010, aged 88.
One Alone
Kathryn Grayson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yet I will love in my own way
Lonely as a desert breeze
I may wonder where I please
Yet I keep on longing
Just to rest a while
Take the place of sand and skies
All the World forgotten
In one Woman's smile
One alone, to be my own
I alone, to know her caresses
One to be, eternally
The one my worshiping soul possesses
At her call, I'd give my all
All my life and all my love enduring
This would be a magic World to me
If she were mine alone
One alone, to be my own
I alone, to know her caresses
One to be, eternally
The one my worshiping soul possesses
The lyrics to Kathryn Grayson’s “One Alone” express the longing for a lover’s embrace amidst a lonely existence. The first two lines suggest that the singer is aware of the views of others regarding their love, but chooses to love their own way anyway. The word ‘lonely’ following this highlights the feeling of isolation the singer experiences. The next line about wandering wherever they please reflects a sense of freedom but also features the word ‘longing’ which reveals that despite moving about freely, they are not content. Instead, they seek a place to rest where they can bask in the love and tenderness of a woman. This woman’s smile would allow the singer to forget about the rest of the world and create a sanctuary of love.
The chorus describes this ideal woman as “One alone, to be my own” and “eternally” belonging to the singer’s “worshiping soul”. The unconditional love that the singer is prepared to give is emphasized with the phrase “At her call, I’d give my all”. The chorus repeats the desire for this one true love, emphasizing the lack of fulfillment outside of this relationship. The final line, “If she were mine alone” contains the magic of a relationship free from interference and existing for two people only.
Line by Line Meaning
I have heard all you've been saying
I acknowledge what you've told me, but I will still love in my own manner.
Lonely as a desert breeze
I am solitary, like the wind in the desert.
I may wonder where I please
I am free to wander wherever I choose.
Yet I keep on longing
Despite my freedom, I still have a strong desire.
Just to rest a while
I merely yearn for a brief respite.
Where a sweetheart's tender eyes
In a place where there are only loving and gentle gazes from a significant other.
Take the place of sand and skies
Replacing the desolate surroundings with the warm and comforting love of another person.
All the World forgotten
The entire world fades into the background, becoming insignificant in comparison to the person being loved.
In one Woman's smile
The mere sight of one woman's smile can erase all worldly troubles.
One alone, to be my own
Desiring only one person to love, and to be their one and only.
I alone, to know her caresses
The physical touch of the person is only meant for the singer, and no one else.
One to be, eternally
The love between the two is meant to last forever.
The one my worshiping soul possesses
The person being loved is owned, in a sense, by the singer's soul, which loves them completely and without reservation.
At her call, I'd give my all
If the person being loved were to request it, the singer would sacrifice everything to make her happy.
All my life and all my love enduring
The singer's love and devotion would continue without fail for the rest of their life.
This would be a magic World to me
To have their love reciprocated would make the world a magical place.
If she were mine alone
If the person being loved belonged only to the artist, their life would be complete and full of love.
Lyrics © IMAGEM U.S. LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHAEL WYCOFF, WILL JENNINGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@varadero1839
HI Céline,
Here's another with both Ms. Grayson, and Gordon MacRae:
https://youtu.be/Wub_DjEvsSo
And another solo by Kathryn:
https://youtu.be/TlBYm4WWGs4
Glad to hear from you, and glad you liked!
varadero
@Manny535
Here are the lyrics of the song(s) if anyone is interested (or would like to sing along with):
Kathryn Grayson:
If one flower grows alone in your garden,
Its fragrant sweetness will soon pass away.
If one flower grows alone in your garden;
Soft petals blooming must wither some day.
Your garden should be overflowing
With budding flowers of varied perfume;
So gather your precious collection
A garden of blossoms are ever in bloom
One flower alone
One flower alone will pass away
Gordon Macrae:
Lonely as a desert breeze
I may wonder where I please
Yet I keep on longing
Just to rest a while
Where a sweetheart's tender eyes
Take the place of sand and skies
All the world forgotten
In one woman's smile
One alone, to be my own
I alone, to know her caresses
One to be, eternally
The one my worshipping soul possesses
At her call, I'd give my all
All my life and all my love enduring
This would be a magic world to me
If she were mine alone
Kathryn Grayson:
At his call, I'd give my all
All my life and all my love enduring
Together:
This would be a magic world to me
If you were mine alone
@francinefernandes2007
Beautiful voices and songs from the golden age of Hollywood. R.I.P Gordon Macrae and Kathryn Grayson ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
@rhondamadden6197
I have admired adored and loved gordon for 71 years. It is wonderful to be able to still enjoy his beautiful voice.
@TheBaroness
I have this gorgeous Movie with Kathryn Grayson and Gordon Macrae - Their incredible voices and VERY Charismatic Chemistry made this movie a show-stopper. I watch it every few months to hear their spectacular voices! Thank you for uploading this!
@barbarasuckerman2806
This is one of my very favorite musicals. I never get tired of watching it! And what beautiful voices and beautiful melodies!
@richardgornalle4536
I was told by a singing teacher who had pupils singing in Opera Companies world wide that this man could have had a career in opera. Superb voice, great singer.
@marilynchapman2697
I love the movie, and there are so many beautiful songs from it. I was raised on this music. My grandparents met in a musical theatre company in England just after WW1. They sang duets at home, and I heard them sing this song! I am a soprano and Kathryn Grayson was my idol growing up. I had a big crush on Gordon MacRae.
@Jill8854
I have watched this movie so many times and I still love it as much as the first time I saw it. I adore Gordon Mcrae, always have and always will. What a great measure of a man he was, with his handsome looks and glorious voice. Kathryn Grayson was beautiful and so gifted with her angelic voice. These two beautiful souls gave us so much pleasure with their music, and contine to do so to this very day. God bless them both.
@layna8924
This is beautiful...wow!...Gordon MacRae...he's fabulous here...and Kathryn one of the greatest voices of all time...;)L.
@varadero1839
Hi Layna8,
Thanks for writing! There were very few who could compare to these 2 beautiful performers, and elegant singers! Wonderful that you commented, and best wishes!
varadero
@dringsong
Oh good, singers who can really act, it's such a rare treat.