Kay Starr was successful in every field of music she tried, jazz, country and pop. But her roots were in jazz, Billie Holiday, considered by many the greatest jazz singer of all time, called Starr "the only white woman who could sing the blues."
She is best remembered for introducing two songs that became #1 hits in the 1950s, "Wheel of Fortune" and "The Rock And Roll Waltz".
Kay Starr was born on a reservation in Dougherty, Oklahoma. Her father, Harry, was a full-blooded Iroquois Indian; her mother, Annie, was of mixed Irish and American Indian heritage. When her father got a job installing water sprinkler systems, the family moved to Dallas, Texas.
While her father worked for the Automatic Sprinkler Company, her mother raised chickens, and Kay used to sing to the chickens in the coop. As a result of the fact that her aunt, Nora, was impressed by her singing, she began to sing at the age of seven on a Dallas radio station, WRR, first in a talent competition where she finished third one week and won every week thereafter, then with her own weekly fifteen minute show. She sang pop and "hillbilly" songs with a piano accompaniment. By the age of ten, she was making $3 a night, a lot of money in the Depression days.
As a result of her father's changing jobs, her family moved to Memphis, Tennessee, and she continued performing on the radio, singing "Western swing music," still mostly a mix of country and pop. It was while she was on the Memphis radio station WMPS that, as a result of misspellings in her fan mail, she and her parents decided to give her the name "Kay Starr". At the age of fifteen, she was chosen to sing with the Joe Venuti orchestra. Venuti had a contract to play in the Peabody Hotel in Memphis which called for his band to feature a girl singer, which he did not have; Venuti's road manager heard her on the radio, and suggested her to Venuti. Because she was still in junior high school, her parents insisted that Venuti take her home no later than midnight.
Although she had brief stints in 1939 with Bob Crosby and Glenn Miller (who hired her in July of that year when his regular singer, Marion Hutton, was sick), she spent most of her next few years with Venuti, until he dissolved his band in 1942. It was, however, with Miller that she cut her first record: "Baby Me"/"Love with a Capital You." It was not a great success, in part because the band played in a key more appropriate for Marion Hutton, which was less suited for Kay's vocal range.
Its A Good Day
Kay Starr Lyrics
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and it's a good day for moving alone;
Yes, it's a good day, how could anything go wrong,
A good day from morning' till night
Yes, it's a good day for shining your shoes,
and it's a good day for losing the blues;
Everything go gain and nothing' to lose,
I said to the Sun, "Good morning sun
Rise and shine today"
You know you've gotta get going
If you're gonna make a showin'
And you know you've got the right of way.
'Cause it's a good day for paying your bills;
And it's a good day for curing your ills,
So take a deep breath and throw away your pills;
'Cause it's a good day from morning' till night.
Kay Starr's song "It's A Good Day" is a cheerful and optimistic song that celebrates the simple pleasures of life. The lyrics make it clear that this is a day where everything is going right and nothing can bring the mood down. The song starts off by declaring that it's a good day for singing a song and moving alone. The implication here is that there is no specific reason to be joyful, other than the fact that it's a new day and one should make the most of it.
The next few lines explain why it's such a good day - "Everything to gain and nothing to lose." This line seems to suggest that there is a feeling of liberation or freedom. There is no stress or burden, only the joy of being alive. The song continues with the singer speaking directly to the sun, asking it to rise and shine. This is a metaphor for the idea of seizing the day and making the most of it. One has to "get going" in order to "make a showin'." The sun is also a symbol of hope and new beginnings, which reinforces the overall message of the song.
The third verse provides more reasons why this is such a good day: paying your bills, curing your ills, and throwing away your pills. Here, the emphasis is on taking care of practical matters and looking after one's health. The song reminds listeners to appreciate the small things in life and to not take them for granted. The repetition of "it's a good day" throughout the song reinforces the theme of positivity and encourages listeners to embrace the joy of living.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes, it's a good day for singing a song,
Today is a great day to share my joy with others through music.
and it's a good day for moving alone;
Today is a great day to take a solo adventure and enjoy my own company.
Yes, it's a good day, how could anything go wrong,
Today is a great day, and I am optimistic that everything will fall into place.
A good day from morning' till night
Today is a great day that will remain uplifting all day long.
Yes, it's a good day for shining your shoes,
Today is a great day to focus on small tasks such as cleaning and self-care.
and it's a good day for losing the blues;
Today is a great day to let go of negative emotions and welcome positivity.
Everything go gain and nothing' to lose,
Today is a great day as it presents opportunities without any risks or downsides.
'Cause it's a good day from morning' till night
Today is an excellent day as its happiness and positivity have been constant.
I said to the Sun, "Good morning sun
I greet the morning Sun with warmth and appreciation for the day ahead.
Rise and shine today"
I urge the Sun to start shining and illuminating the world for everyone's benefit.
You know you've gotta get going
I encourage the Sun to start its duty and journey across the sky.
If you're gonna make a showin'
The Sun must shine brightly to demonstrate its presence and provide light.
And you know you've got the right of way.
The Sun has a clear path to shine and do its job without hindrance or obstacle.
'Cause it's a good day for paying your bills;
Today is the best day to settle outstanding debts and financial responsibilities.
And it's a good day for curing your ills,
Today is conducive to healing, recuperating, and regaining physical or emotional wellness.
So take a deep breath and throw away your pills;
I encourage letting go of past remedies and giving oneself a fresh start.
'Cause it's a good day from morning' till night.
Today is an excellent day that has been beneficial from beginning to end.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAVID M. BARBOUR, PEGGY LEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Walsh
A great song by a legend of music. Kay Starr was a very classy and stylish performer. That voice was unique.
Connor Diver
Sing this to myself (well out loud) whenever its sunny, such a cheery song!
genesisjoe
It was written by Peggy Lee and Dave Barbour in 1947. The most popular version that I have ever heard is Perry Como's from his 1955 album "So Smooth", which was featured in the movie "Blast From The Past" (1999), among others. Peggy herself and Dean Martin also have great versions of the song, IMO.
Sam
I'm in love with her voice and her style!! waouh! she's so good!
hipsterdoofus1026
Nice gospel touch at the beginning. She has a lot of influences, in general, in her singing. At least from Glenn Miller to Country to Gospel.
Jillian-Kate
I had been trying to find the Kay Starr version for a VERY long time... it was even hard to find it for sale! THANK YOU!!! :)
Scott Campbell
The best anti-drug message out there!! Throw away the pills!
prepostmodern
This is better than drugs to give joy.
Irene Mccann
When music was worth listening to,I’m glad I’m old.
Johnny Y
Lol i woke up , turned on my tv and this song was playing THANKS HOME GOODS ! (Im being honest )