Gonna Find Me a Bluebird
Marvin Rainwater Lyrics
Gonna find me a bluebird
Let him sing me a song
'Cause my heart's been broken
Much too long
Gonna chase me a rainbow
Through a heaven of blue
'Cause I'm all through crying over you
There was a time my love was needed
My life completed, my dreams come true
My love unwanted, all for you
Gonna find me a bluebird
Let him sing me a song
'Cause my heart's been broken
Much too long
Gonna chase me a rainbow
through' a heaven of blue
'Cause I'm all through crying over you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARVIN RAINWATER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Marvin Karlton Rainwater (July 2, 1925 – September 17, 2013) was an American country and rockabilly singer and songwriter who had several hits during the late 1950s, including "Gonna Find Me a Bluebird" and "Whole Lotta Woman", a UK no.1 record. He was known for wearing Native American-themed outfits on stage and was 25 percent Cherokee.
Rainwater was born in Wichita, Kansas, to Stella (née Miller) and Cicero Percy Rainwater, and grew up during the Great Depression. Read Full BioMarvin Karlton Rainwater (July 2, 1925 – September 17, 2013) was an American country and rockabilly singer and songwriter who had several hits during the late 1950s, including "Gonna Find Me a Bluebird" and "Whole Lotta Woman", a UK no.1 record. He was known for wearing Native American-themed outfits on stage and was 25 percent Cherokee.
Rainwater was born in Wichita, Kansas, to Stella (née Miller) and Cicero Percy Rainwater, and grew up during the Great Depression. As a child, instead of listening to the Grand Ole Opry with his father, he took classical piano lessons, which ended after he lost part of his right thumb to a work accident as a teenager. He originally trained to be a veterinarian, but after some time in the Navy during World War II took up the guitar.
He became fascinated with Roy Acuff and started playing and writing songs. With his brothers, he played concerts around Virginia. He sometimes wore a buckskin jacket and headband. Rising guitarist Roy Clark worked with Rainwater and together they cut a few demos for 4 Star Records. Pop singer Teresa Brewer turned one of his compositions, "I Gotta Go Get My Baby", into a big hit. Others were overdubbed and released on budget record labels.
Rainwater got his big break in the music business when he performed on Arthur Godfrey's programs. He won first place on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts on May 9, 1955. He had a regular role on ABC-TV's Ozark Jubilee for several years in Springfield, Missouri beginning in 1955. He signed with MGM Records and recorded a series of songs for the label, including peppy numbers like "Hot and Cold". Such songs were showcases for Rainwater's voice, and his energy and versatility led him to record rockabilly.
Rainwater was one of country's most noteworthy stars in the late 1950s, when his good looks and baritone voice made him popular. One of the first country songs he recorded was "Gonna Find Me a Bluebird", which he wrote. Released in 1957, the song became a big country-pop crossover hit, making Rainwater among the first country singers to appeal to a pop market. The song reached No. 3 on the country chart and 18 on the pop chart. It sold one million copies by 1957, and gave Rainwater his first gold record. During the song's success, Rainwater relocated to the New Jersey-New York area. "The Majesty of Love" (1957) was a duet with Connie Francis, which also sold over one million copies. His next single, "So You Think You Got Troubles", was a successful follow-up on the country charts, but not on the pop charts. His self-penned "Whole Lotta Woman" reached UK No. 1 for three weeks in April and May 1958. A second UK single, "I Dig You Baby", made No. 19 in June 1958. "Nothin' Needs Nothin' (Like I Need You)" missed the UK Top Thirty chart, but returned him to the US Country chart.
Rainwater performed and toured throughout the rest of the 1950s. In 1959, he added three more gold records: "My Love Is Real", "My Brand Of Blues" and "Half Breed" (A cover version of a John D. Loudermilk song,) all sold in excess of one million records. In 1959, Rainwater recorded another Loudermilk song, "The Pale Faced Indian". His original version went unnoticed, but later efforts by Don Fardon and Paul Revere & The Raiders under the title "Indian Reservation" were hits. Marvin recorded a number of songs with his little sister Patty Rainwater who was almost 12 years his junior. They recorded songs like "Down In The Cellar" as well as some of Patty's compositions like "Because I'm A Dreamer" and "Two Fools In Love".
His voice began to give out, and he developed calluses on his vocal cords. As a result, Rainwater and MGM Records parted ways in 1960. He went into brief retirement to rest his voice and then recorded sporadically for Warwick Records (United Kingdom), although without any hits. In the 1960s, he recorded for a series of record labels including United Artists, Warner Bros. and Sonet; and started his own record company called Brave Records.
In the 1970s, Rainwater developed throat cancer, from which he slowly recovered, and moved to Aitkin, Minnesota. He appeared occasionally at rockabilly festivals in Europe and was still loved by many fans.
Rainwater was the 73rd inductee into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
He died of heart failure on September 17, 2013, in Minneapolis. Marvin had five children. Jimmy and Judi by his first wife Charline; Wade, Lora Lee and Barbie by his second wife Barbara.
Rainwater's song "Gamblin' Man" was covered by Mike Ness on his 1999 album, Under the Influences. "So You Think You've Got Troubles" was covered by Harry Nilsson, as evidenced on his 1966 Spotlight on Nilsson compilation album. "Gonna Find Me a Bluebird" was covered by Petula Clark in 1957 and by Steve Young on his 1969 album, Rock Salt & Nails. "Hot and Cold" was featured on Bob Dylan's radio show, Theme Time Radio Hour.
Rainwater was born in Wichita, Kansas, to Stella (née Miller) and Cicero Percy Rainwater, and grew up during the Great Depression. Read Full BioMarvin Karlton Rainwater (July 2, 1925 – September 17, 2013) was an American country and rockabilly singer and songwriter who had several hits during the late 1950s, including "Gonna Find Me a Bluebird" and "Whole Lotta Woman", a UK no.1 record. He was known for wearing Native American-themed outfits on stage and was 25 percent Cherokee.
Rainwater was born in Wichita, Kansas, to Stella (née Miller) and Cicero Percy Rainwater, and grew up during the Great Depression. As a child, instead of listening to the Grand Ole Opry with his father, he took classical piano lessons, which ended after he lost part of his right thumb to a work accident as a teenager. He originally trained to be a veterinarian, but after some time in the Navy during World War II took up the guitar.
He became fascinated with Roy Acuff and started playing and writing songs. With his brothers, he played concerts around Virginia. He sometimes wore a buckskin jacket and headband. Rising guitarist Roy Clark worked with Rainwater and together they cut a few demos for 4 Star Records. Pop singer Teresa Brewer turned one of his compositions, "I Gotta Go Get My Baby", into a big hit. Others were overdubbed and released on budget record labels.
Rainwater got his big break in the music business when he performed on Arthur Godfrey's programs. He won first place on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts on May 9, 1955. He had a regular role on ABC-TV's Ozark Jubilee for several years in Springfield, Missouri beginning in 1955. He signed with MGM Records and recorded a series of songs for the label, including peppy numbers like "Hot and Cold". Such songs were showcases for Rainwater's voice, and his energy and versatility led him to record rockabilly.
Rainwater was one of country's most noteworthy stars in the late 1950s, when his good looks and baritone voice made him popular. One of the first country songs he recorded was "Gonna Find Me a Bluebird", which he wrote. Released in 1957, the song became a big country-pop crossover hit, making Rainwater among the first country singers to appeal to a pop market. The song reached No. 3 on the country chart and 18 on the pop chart. It sold one million copies by 1957, and gave Rainwater his first gold record. During the song's success, Rainwater relocated to the New Jersey-New York area. "The Majesty of Love" (1957) was a duet with Connie Francis, which also sold over one million copies. His next single, "So You Think You Got Troubles", was a successful follow-up on the country charts, but not on the pop charts. His self-penned "Whole Lotta Woman" reached UK No. 1 for three weeks in April and May 1958. A second UK single, "I Dig You Baby", made No. 19 in June 1958. "Nothin' Needs Nothin' (Like I Need You)" missed the UK Top Thirty chart, but returned him to the US Country chart.
Rainwater performed and toured throughout the rest of the 1950s. In 1959, he added three more gold records: "My Love Is Real", "My Brand Of Blues" and "Half Breed" (A cover version of a John D. Loudermilk song,) all sold in excess of one million records. In 1959, Rainwater recorded another Loudermilk song, "The Pale Faced Indian". His original version went unnoticed, but later efforts by Don Fardon and Paul Revere & The Raiders under the title "Indian Reservation" were hits. Marvin recorded a number of songs with his little sister Patty Rainwater who was almost 12 years his junior. They recorded songs like "Down In The Cellar" as well as some of Patty's compositions like "Because I'm A Dreamer" and "Two Fools In Love".
His voice began to give out, and he developed calluses on his vocal cords. As a result, Rainwater and MGM Records parted ways in 1960. He went into brief retirement to rest his voice and then recorded sporadically for Warwick Records (United Kingdom), although without any hits. In the 1960s, he recorded for a series of record labels including United Artists, Warner Bros. and Sonet; and started his own record company called Brave Records.
In the 1970s, Rainwater developed throat cancer, from which he slowly recovered, and moved to Aitkin, Minnesota. He appeared occasionally at rockabilly festivals in Europe and was still loved by many fans.
Rainwater was the 73rd inductee into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
He died of heart failure on September 17, 2013, in Minneapolis. Marvin had five children. Jimmy and Judi by his first wife Charline; Wade, Lora Lee and Barbie by his second wife Barbara.
Rainwater's song "Gamblin' Man" was covered by Mike Ness on his 1999 album, Under the Influences. "So You Think You've Got Troubles" was covered by Harry Nilsson, as evidenced on his 1966 Spotlight on Nilsson compilation album. "Gonna Find Me a Bluebird" was covered by Petula Clark in 1957 and by Steve Young on his 1969 album, Rock Salt & Nails. "Hot and Cold" was featured on Bob Dylan's radio show, Theme Time Radio Hour.
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sauquoit13456
On this day in 1957 {August 4th} "Gonna Find Me A Bluebird" by Marvin Rainwater peaked at #3 {for 1 week} on Billboard's 'Most-Played Country & Western Records By Jockeys'* chart...
Between 1957 and 1959 the Wichita, Kansas native had four records on the Billboard C&W chart, with the above "Gonna Find Me A Bluebird" being his biggest hit...
His three other charted records were "Whole Lotta Woman" {#15 in 1958}, "Nothin' Needs Nothin' (Like I Need You)" {#11 in 1958}, and "Half-Breed" {#16 in 1959}...
Marvin Karlton Rainwater passed away at the age of 88 on September 17th, 2013...
May he R.I.P.
*And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the Most-Played C&W Records by Jockeys' Top 10 on August 4th, 1957:
#1. "Bye, Bye Love" by The Everly Brothers
#2. "Four Walls" by Jim Reeves
#3. the above "Gonna Find Me A Bluebird"
#4. "A Fallen Star" by Jimmy C. Newman
#5. "My Shoes Keep Walking Back To you" by Ray Price
#6. "Fraulein" by Bobby Helms
#7. "Teddy Bear" by Elvis Presley
#8. "My Arms Are A House" by Hank Snow
#9. "Two Shadows On Your Window" by Jim Reeves
#10. "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" by Jerry Lee Lewis
Glenn Anderson
Was 12 Years old when this came out. Liked it then and like it more now than then. A reminder of how beautiful music was during the best generation of music. Still have the original 45.
Wendell Freeman
Me too. Loved this song...didn't really know what it meant yet, but that didn't matter.
elvis presley
oh so Beautiful, I haven't heard this in almost 50 years, takes me back to the early days when music was beautiful. Just listen to the words and watch a bird fly by your window
David Maslow
Yes! It is a Great song.
Jeff Conforte
Wow a song you could actually sing and it had a real melody
carol vine
I have searched for this for YEARS!!!! This is a great song. Thank You so very much!!!!
Absolute Perfection
No need to search for years, you are invited to listen to the lists of Absolute Perfection. This song has always been on the list "Pop Artists Rock Era johnny Preston to Debbie Reynolds" All lists contain 150 to 250 pieces of music in a Virtual Time Machine that has all songs recorded from fifties through 1975. Billboard charts are counted down for every year, "Rare Records "A's" are artists alphabetically in which 45s are worth thousands of dollars. These lists are well hidden but if you are invited and know what to look for PLAY ALL and you will still be listening in the year 3000 and seeing rare videos of your favorite artists. Start with this list "Pop Artists" and from there go wherever you wish in the Time Machine and find hidden lists, hidden treasures of music long forgotten or never heard or searched for a long time. Enjoy.
Marit Knutsen
So beautiful !!!
Linda Neuman
Remember this song from childhood. my parents always played country western. music.! Great song!!
Paul Zimny
My favorite song when I was growing up. Lived on a farm and I had chores to do. We had a radio station that would play requests and when this song was going to come on, my Mom would call me in so I could hear it. Later, when I worked in the Twin Cities, we saw him at the Medina Ballroom and I even have a picture of myself with him. How many can say that?