Her musical talent may have been inherited; her father Richard Whiting, was a famous composer of popular songs. She also had an aunt, Margaret Young, who was also a singer and popular recording artist in the 1920s. In her childhood her singing ability was already noticed, and at the age of only seven she sang for singer-lyricist Johnny Mercer, with whom her father had worked on some popular songs. In 1942, Mercer started Capitol Records with two partners, and signed her as one of their earliest recording artists.
Until the mid-1950s, she continued to record for Capitol, but as she ceased to record songs that charted as hits, switched to Dot Records in 1958 and to Verve Records in 1960. She came back to Capitol in the mid-1960s, then went to London Records in 1966. On London, Whiting landed one last major hit single in 1966, "The Wheel Of Hurt," which hit #1 on the Easy Listening singles chart.
She continued to sing into the 1990s.
During the 1950s, she was married to record executive Lou Busch, who also recorded semi-anonymously as the ragtime pianist Joe "Fingers" Carr. They had one daughter. Her late-life marriage to younger gay porn star Jack Wrangler raised many eyebrows. When they first began dating, he protested, "But I'm gay!" to which she replied, "Only around the edges, dear."
She died on January 10, 2011 at the age of eighty-six.
Silver Bells
Margaret Whiting Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dressed in holiday style
In the air
There's a feeling
of Christmas
Children laughing
People passing
Meeting smile after smile
Silver bells silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring a ling hear them sing
Soon it will be Christmas day
Strings of street lights
Even stop lights
Blink a bright red and green
As the shoppers rush
home with their treasures
Hear the snow crunch
See the kids bunch
This is Santa's big scene
And above all this bustle
You'll hear
Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing
Soon it will be Christmas day
The lyrics to Margaret Whiting's song Silver Bells describe the festive atmosphere of a city during Christmas time. The city is bustling with activity as people rush to buy gifts for their loved ones, and children are filled with excitement at the prospect of Santa's arrival. The air is filled with the feeling of Christmas, and everyone is in holiday style, dressed warmly against the winter chill.
As you walk down the sidewalk, you are greeted with the sound of silver bells ringing on every street corner. The bells add to the festive atmosphere and evoke feelings of warmth and joy. The city is decorated with strings of street lights and stop lights that blink bright red and green, adding to the holiday spirit. People are passing by, exchanging smiles, and spreading holiday cheer, while children run around in the snow, excitedly anticipating Santa's arrival.
Above all the hustle and bustle, you can hear the chiming of the silver bells, reminding you that Christmas time is here. The song encourages us to embrace the festive spirit of the holiday season, to spread joy and kindness to those around us, and to celebrate the warmth and love that surrounds us during this magical time of the year.
Line by Line Meaning
City sidewalks busy sidewalks.
The streets of the city are crowded and filled with people during the holiday season.
Dressed in holiday style.
People are wearing festive clothes and accessories during the holiday season.
In the air.
There is an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation during the holiday season.
There's a feeling of Christmas.
The holiday season brings a distinctive feeling and mood that is associated with Christmas.
Children laughing.
Kids are having a good time during the holiday season and finding joy in the festivities.
People passing.
People are constantly moving and interacting with each other during the busy holiday season.
Meeting smile after smile.
People are friendly and happy to see each other when going about their business during the holiday season.
And on every street corner you'll hear.
A ubiquitous sign of the holiday season is the sound of music on the streets coming from many different sources.
Silver bells silver bells.
The song refers to the sound of bells during the holidays, which adds to the festive mood.
It's Christmas time in the city.
The holiday festivities have arrived in the urban environment of the city.
Ring a ling hear them sing.
The bells of Christmas provide a joyful sound that can be heard by all.
Soon it will be Christmas day.
The anticipation of the main day of the holiday season, Christmas day, is building.
Strings of street lights.
The city has put up special lighting fixtures for the holiday season to create a more festive atmosphere.
Even stop lights.
Even commonplace traffic control lights have been decked out for the holiday season.
Blink a bright red and green.
The holiday colors of red and green are being used in the decorations all around the city.
As the shoppers rush home with their treasures.
People are carrying their purchases home after a busy day of shopping for holiday gifts.
Hear the snow crunch.
The weather during the holidays often includes snow, and as people walk they can hear the sound of it crunching underfoot.
See the kids bunch.
Children are often seen in groups during the holiday season, excited to be getting into the spirit of things.
This is Santa's big scene.
The whole holiday season is closely associated with the image of Santa Claus, and this is a particularly important time for him in the popular imagination.
And above all this bustle you'll hear.
Even amidst all the noise and activity of the season, the sound of bells and other festive music is a ubiquitous presence.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ray Evans, Jay Livingston
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind