He was one of the most… Read Full Bio ↴Move over,the "Ol' Professor", Kay Kyser is BACK!
He was one of the most outrageous, over the top performers of the whole swing era. From the late 30s to the late 40s he was the physical embodiment of the word success, with eleven #1 records and thirty-five top tens! He starred in seven feature films with such co-stars as Lucille Ball, John Barrymore, Karloff, Lugosi, Lorre. Kyser kept his radio show, Kay Kyser's Kollege of Musical Knowledge in the top ten for eleven years on NBC, yet if you ask the average swing fan about him today, they'll likely reply, "Kay Kyser. Who's she?"
You see, Kay Kyser disappeared from the general public in 1950. Quit. Went home. Never came back. Made his million, then left without even making an announcement. In contrast to his zany character onstage, he was equally as serious off. "As exuberant as he was while performing, at a party you couldn't get him aroused..." said KK orchestra singer, "Handsome" Harry Babbitt to this writer in a 1995 interview for the upcoming 1 hour TV retrospective on Kay & the band, KAY KYSER- the OL' PROFESSOR of SWING!
"But those were magic days..." says Babbitt who, along with Sully Mason, Ginny Simms, Ish Kabibble (real name Merwyn Bogue) helped make the Kyser band a solid, first-rate performing unit. The duets Babbitt performed w/ Simms were "like buttah", whether they were beautiful ballads like YOU & I or spoofing Romeo & Juliet in WAY BACK IN 1939 A.D. THIS band was secure enough to be downright silly, something the Millers and Goodmans would never have done. But for any detractors, let it be known that the silliness was ONE side of this incrediby gifted bunch of people whom KK guitarist/composer Roc Hillman called a "functional family.""Everyone got along, and it was happy times all the time," says Roc. "Kay believed if HE didn't have fun- no one had fun." One can't forget the enormous contributions of arranger/ composer George Duning, who gave the band its sound, and eventually went on to score many well known films.
In My Arms
Kay Kyser & His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looking for a world to roam in
Now the world is in my arms
No more endless searching for
A place to feel at home in
For the world is in my arms
Sappoco sees here in your eye
When I see you smile
I see the sunset of Geneva
What's that magic in your charms
When I hold you
I hold the world
Right here in my arms
The lyrics of Kay Kyser & His Orchestra's song "In My Arms" convey a sense of fulfillment and contentment that the singer feels upon finding love. The song begins with the singer being described as a Gypsy, someone who is constantly searching for a place to belong and call home. However, this nomadic existence changes when the world is metaphorically placed in their arms through the power of love.
The first verse suggests that the singer's tireless search for a sense of belonging has come to an end. They no longer need to wander and explore different places in search of a home, as they have found it within the embrace of their loved one. This metaphorical world that is now in their arms can be interpreted as a deep sense of love and connection that brings them a feeling of grounding and contentment.
The second verse adds further depth to the lyrics by describing the impact the loved one has on the singer. The mention of a "Mexican hill flower" and the sky implies that the loved one is beautiful and captivating, perhaps even being compared to the stunning natural environment. The phrase "Sappoco sees here in your eye" can be understood as the singer seeing a reflection of their own desires and dreams in the eyes of their loved one, suggesting a strong connection and understanding between them.
The following lines emphasize the enchanting effect the loved one has on the singer. Comparing their smile to the sunset in Geneva implies that their smile holds a magical and captivating quality. The mention of charm suggests the loved one's ability to captivate and mesmerize the singer, possibly through their personality and presence.
Finally, the lyrics conclude with the powerful notion that when the singer holds their loved one, they hold the world. This suggests that the love and connection they share with their partner encompasses everything they need and desire. By holding their loved one, they metaphorically hold everything they could ever want or need in life, implying that true happiness and fulfillment can be found within the embrace of love.
Overall, the lyrics of "In My Arms" speak to the transformative power of love and the sense of completeness it can bring to an individual's life. The singer's nomadic search for belonging is replaced by the contentment and fulfillment they find through their relationship with their loved one, symbolizing the profound impact love can have on an individual's sense of self and place in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Here was I, a Gypsy
I used to be like a wanderer, searching for meaning and belonging
Looking for a world to roam in
Seeking a place where I can freely explore and experience life
Now the world is in my arms
Now I have found that world and it resides within my embrace
No more endless searching for
No longer feeling the need to endlessly seek
A place to feel at home in
A place where I can truly belong and feel comfortable
For the world is in my arms
Because the world resides in my embrace, I no longer need to search
Mexican hill flower the sky
The beautiful sky resembles a flower from a hill in Mexico
Sappoco sees here in your eye
I see the sparkling and magical essence within your eyes
When I see you smile
The sight of your smile brings joy and happiness to me
I see the sunset of Geneva
I see a breathtaking sunset, reminiscent of the picturesque scenery in Geneva
What's that magic in your charms
I am curious about the enchanting and captivating qualities you possess
When I hold you
When I embrace you tightly
I hold the world
I feel like I have the entire world within my grasp
Right here in my arms
It is contained and present, within the safety of my embrace
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Burton Lane, E.y. Harburg
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind