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.
Side by Side
Kay Starr Lyrics
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Maybe we're ragged and funny
But we'll travel along, singin' a song
Side by side
Don't know what's comin' tomorrow
Maybe it's trouble and sorrow
But we'll travel the road, sharin' our load
Side by side
What if the sky should fall
Just as long as we're together
It doesn't matter at all
When they've all had their quarrels and parted
We'll be the same as we started
Just travelin' along, singin' our song
Side by side
See that sun in the mornin'
Peekin' over the hill
I'll bet you sure, it always has
And it always will
Well, that's how I feel about someone
And somebody feels about me
We're sure in love with each other
And that's the way it's gonna be
Oh, we ain't got a barrel of money
Maybe we're ragged and funny
But we'll travel along, singin' a song
Side by side
Don't know what's comin' tomorrow
Maybe it's trouble and sorrow
But we'll travel the road, sharin' our load
Side by side
Through all kinds of weather
What if the sky should fall
Just as long as we're together
It doesn't matter at all
When they've all had their quarrels and parted
We'll be the same as we started
Just travelin' along, singin' our song
Side by side
Kay Starr's song Side By Side is a playful and uplifting tune that celebrates the power of companionship and love, no matter how difficult life can be. The lyrics paint a picture of a couple who may not have much money or material wealth, but they have each other and that's all that really matters. The song emphasizes the importance of sticking together through thick and thin, sharing the burdens of life and enjoying the journey.
The repeated refrain "side by side" emphasizes the centrality of companionship in the song's message. The lyrics also acknowledge that life is unpredictable, and there may be troubles and sorrows that lie ahead. However, the couple in the song remains committed to facing all challenges together. The optimism and resilience expressed in the lyrics make Side By Side an enduring classic, appreciated by generations of listeners who can relate to its message of hope and perseverance.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, we ain't got a barrel of money
Despite not having a lot of money or wealth, we are content and happy with each other's company.
Maybe we're ragged and funny
Perhaps we are not the most perfect or polished individuals, but we don't take ourselves too seriously and find humor in our imperfections.
But we'll travel along, singin' a song
We will continue on our journey in life, enjoying it and making the most of it, while also sharing our love and joy through music and singing.
Side by side
Together, next to each other, standing side by side and facing the world and whatever it may bring.
Don't know what's comin' tomorrow
Uncertainty lies ahead and we cannot predict what the future holds for us.
Maybe it's trouble and sorrow
Tomorrow may bring challenges and difficulties, causing us to feel sadness and concern.
But we'll travel the road, sharin' our load
Regardless of what we may face, we will bear the load and face it together, sharing the burden and supporting each other on the journey of life.
Through all kinds of weather
No matter what kind of circumstances or situations may arise, we will stay strong and weather them all together, no matter how challenging they may be.
What if the sky should fall
Even if the worst possible scenario were to occur, we would stand strong and face it together, unafraid of any obstacle or trouble that comes our way.
Just as long as we're together
As long as we have each other, nothing else matters and we can overcome anything and everything, side by side.
It doesn't matter at all
No matter what happens, it won't affect our love for each other and our unbreakable bond that keeps us together, no matter what.
When they've all had their quarrels and parted
When others have been through disagreements and parted ways, we remain steadfast, loyal and committed to each other.
We'll be the same as we started
We will continue to be as happy, content, and in love as we were when we first started our journey together, undeterred by any setbacks or difficulties along the way.
Just travelin' along, singin' our song
We will continue living our lives to the fullest, enjoying every moment, and making beautiful music together, side by side.
See that sun in the mornin'
Every day, the sun rises in the morning, bringing light and warmth into our lives and reminding us of the beauty of the world and the love we share.
Peekin' over the hill
The sun rises over the horizon, peeking over the hill as if to say hello and inviting us to embrace the new day and all its possibilities.
I'll bet you sure, it always has
The sun has risen in the morning every day for as long as we can remember, and it will continue to do so, providing us with a constant source of light, warmth, and beauty.
And it always will
No matter what happens, the sun will continue to rise in the morning, bringing with it new hope, new opportunities, and new adventures to be shared, side by side.
Well, that's how I feel about someone
These feelings of happiness, contentment, and hope are not just about the sun rising in the morning. They are also about the love and companionship we share with that special someone.
And somebody feels about me
That special someone also feels the same way about me, sharing in the happiness, hope, and beautiful moments of our lives together, side by side.
We're sure in love with each other
Our love for each other is strong, steadfast, and unwavering, providing us with the strength, courage, and joy we need to face life's challenges, side by side.
And that's the way it's gonna be
Our love will endure, unbreakable and eternal, bringing us happiness, fulfillment, and contentment for as long as we live, side by side.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HARRY WOODS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BroWCarey
My mother and grandmother used to sing this together. Brings back great memories.
@judymcguirk379
My sister had this record on a 78 vinyl. She was born in 1946, 9 years older than me, and 11 years older than my younger sister. She taught my younger sister and I a dance routine with us using our new batons we'd gotten for xmas as dance props. 😊 Both of my sisters have passed away, so this is one of my many cherished memories. ❤ This story may sound goofy and silly to some, but that's okay.
@stevesizemore6274
Love that voice.
@pgh45rpms
So many recording artists in the 50's used overdubbing, a technology made possible thanks to the tape recorder. For instance Rosemary Clooney, Patti Page and Les Paul & Mary Ford.
@MichaelGushue-tl8xd
1953. Two years before Rock N Roll got started.