Some of her best known hits are "It's So Peaceful in the Country", "Trust In Me", "Where Are You", "I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart", "Small Fry", "Please Be Kind", "Darn That Dream", "Rockin' Chair", "Blame It On My Last Affair", and "Says My Heart".
Born Mildred Rinker in Tekoa, Washington, her mother, Josephine, was an enrolled member of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe and a devout Roman Catholic. Her father, Charles, played fiddle and called square dances. Her mother played piano every evening after supper and taught Mildred to play and sing. Her brothers were the vocalist and composer Al Rinker, and the lyricist Charles Rinker.
[edit]Career
At the age of seventeen, Bailey moved to Seattle and worked as a sheet music demonstrator at Woolworth's. She married and divorced Ted Bailey, keeping his last name because she thought it sounded more American than Rinker.[3] With the help of her second husband, Benny Stafford, she became an established blues and jazz singer on the West Coast. According to Gary Giddins' book Bing Crosby – A Pocketful of Dreams – The Early Years 1903-1940, in 1925 she secured work for her brother, Al Rinker, and his partner Bing Crosby. Giddins further states that Crosby first heard of Louis Armstrong and other Chicago black jazz records from Bailey's own record collection. Crosby helped Bailey in turn by introducing her to Paul Whiteman. She sang with Paul Whiteman's band from 1929 to 1933 (Whiteman had a popular radio program and when Bailey debuted with her version of "Moaning Low" in 1929, public reaction was immediate, although she did not start recording with Whiteman until late 1931).
Her first two records were as uncredited vocalist for an Eddie Lang Orchestra session in 1929 ("What Kind O' Man Is You?", an obscure Hoagy Carmichael song that was only issued in the UK) and a 1930 recording of "I Like To Do Things For You" for Frankie Trumbauer. She was Whiteman's popular female vocalist through 1932 (recording in a smooth crooning style), when she left the band due to salary disagreements. She then recorded a series of records for Brunswick in 1933 (accompanied by The Dorsey Brothers), as well an all-star session with Benny Goodman's studio band in 1934 that featured Coleman Hawkins.
In the mid-1930s, she recorded with her third husband Red Norvo. A dynamic couple, they earned the nicknames "Mr. and Mrs. Swing". During this period (1936–1939) Norvo recorded for Brunswick (with Bailey as primary vocalist) and Bailey recorded her own set of recordings for Vocalion, often with Norvo's band. Some of her recordings instead featured members of Count Basie's band. Despite her divorce from Norvo, she and Red would continue to record together until 1945. Suffering from diabetes and depression (during her adult life Bailey was overweight), she only made a few recordings following World War II.
Mildred Bailey died December 12, 1951, in Poughkeepsie, New York, of heart failure, aged 44, chiefly due to her diabetes. Her ashes were scattered. Red Norvo outlived Bailey by nearly half a century, dying in April 1999, a week after his 91st birthday.
It's so Peaceful in the Country
Mildred Bailey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's so simple and quiet
You really ought to try it
You walk about and talk about
The pleasant things in life
It′s so restful in the country
It's the right kind of diet
You really ought to try it
Beside a stream
Where daisies nod hello
City living is a pretty living
It's so full of unexpected thrills
But there′s too much stone
Too much telephone
There′s too much of everything but trees and hills
It's so peaceful in the country
It′s so simple and quite
Someday you're bound to try it
The only place to be
Is a place for you and me
Where it′s peaceful in the country
The skyline of New York is a splendid sight
I know Chicago's loop is magical at night
The natives of Cleveland from Frisco and Boston
And natives of cities a stranger gets lost in
All of them claim that their city′s the best
From deep in the south and from out in the west
Perhaps it's all true but from my point of view
It's so peaceful in the country
It′s so simple and quiet
Someday you′re bound to try it
The only place to be
Is a place for you and me
Where it's peaceful in the country
The lyrics of Mildred Bailey's song "It's so Peaceful in the Country" talks about the peacefulness and simplicity of living in the countryside as opposed to the hustle and bustle of the city. Bailey challenges the listener to try the quieter life and experience the joys of walking and talking about the pleasant things that life has to offer. The country is a place where one can find rest, and the right kind of diet, which is not possible in the city. The song also implies that city life is exciting, with its unexpected thrills, but it is shrouded with too much of everything, except for trees and hills, the very things that make the country peaceful.
Bailey further contrasts life in the city with life in the country, stating that the skyline of New York, the loop in Chicago, and the claims of all other cities being the best cannot compare to the peacefulness of the country. The south and west consist of cities that are also full of natives who believe that their city is the best, but Bailey's perspective highlights the peacefulness and simplicity of living in the country. The chorus is a call to action; Bailey implores the listener to try the peaceful life in the country, as it's the only place to be.
Line by Line Meaning
It's so peaceful in the country
The rural lifestyle is simple and calm.
It's so simple and quiet
Life is straightforward and without hustle in the countryside.
You really ought to try it
It's a subtle suggestion to experience the tranquility of rural life.
You walk about and talk about
The leisurely pace of the countryside allows for relaxed conversations and walks.
The pleasant things in life
Discussions are centered on the enjoyable aspects of life.
It's so restful in the country
The peaceful surroundings promote relaxation and rejuvenation.
It's the right kind of diet
The lifestyle in the countryside is good for the mind and body.
You lie and dream
The tranquil atmosphere allows for undisturbed rest and daydreaming.
Beside a stream
A peaceful stream is a perfect place to enjoy the rural scenery.
Where daisies nod hello
In the countryside, nature and its flora and fauna offer friendly greetings.
City living is a pretty living
Life in the city can be glamorous and exciting.
It's so full of unexpected thrills
The city life is replete with sudden and unpredictable excitement.
But there's too much stone
The urban area is overly developed and lacks natural beauty.
Too much telephone
Communication through technology is overdone in the city.
There's too much of everything but trees and hills
Whilst there's a lot of modern technology and advancement in the city, it has less natural scenery.
Someday you're bound to try it
The singer believes that eventually, everyone will want to experience the rural lifestyle.
The only place to be
According to the singer, the best place to be is in the quiet, scenic countryside.
Is a place for you and me
The countryside is an inviting environment for anyone looking for a peaceful life.
The skyline of New York is a splendid sight
The New York City skyline is beautiful and impressive.
I know Chicago's loop is magical at night
The city's Loop, particularly at night, has a stunning effect.
The natives of Cleveland from Frisco and Boston
People from various cities across the country call their respective cities home.
And natives of cities a stranger gets lost in
Some cities are complicated and confusing for outsiders.
All of them claim that their city's the best
Every city has its loyal defenders who believe that their city is the greatest.
From deep in the south and from out in the west
City fervor is present throughout the country.
Perhaps it's all true but from my point of view
Opinions about the best city can be subjective, and the singer is asserting their preference of countryside living.
The only place to be
Reasserting the belief that the best place to be is in the peaceful countryside.
Where it's peaceful in the country
A final emphasis on the peaceful and idyllic features of rural life.
Writer(s): Alec Wilder
Contributed by Julia V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Rosie J
Lyrics :)
It's so peaceful in the country
It's so simple and quiet
You really ought to try it
You walk about and talk about
The pleasant things in life
It's so restful in the country
It's the right kind of diet
You really ought to try it
You lie and dream
Beside a stream
Where daisies nod hello
City living is a pretty living
It's so full of unexpected thrills
But there's too much stone
Too much telephone
There's too much of everything but trees and hills
It's so peaceful in the country
It's so simple and quite
Someday you're bound to try it
The only place to be
Is a place for you and me
Where it's peaceful in the country
The skyline of New York is a splendid sight
I know Chicago's loop is magical at night
The natives of Cleveland from Frisco and Boston
And natives of cities a stranger gets lost in
All of them claim that their city's the best
From deep in the south and from out in the west
Perhaps it's all true but from my point of view
It's so peaceful in the country
It's so simple and quiet
Someday you're bound to try it
The only place to be
Is a place for you and me
Where it's peaceful in the country
Rosie J
Lyrics :)
It's so peaceful in the country
It's so simple and quiet
You really ought to try it
You walk about and talk about
The pleasant things in life
It's so restful in the country
It's the right kind of diet
You really ought to try it
You lie and dream
Beside a stream
Where daisies nod hello
City living is a pretty living
It's so full of unexpected thrills
But there's too much stone
Too much telephone
There's too much of everything but trees and hills
It's so peaceful in the country
It's so simple and quite
Someday you're bound to try it
The only place to be
Is a place for you and me
Where it's peaceful in the country
The skyline of New York is a splendid sight
I know Chicago's loop is magical at night
The natives of Cleveland from Frisco and Boston
And natives of cities a stranger gets lost in
All of them claim that their city's the best
From deep in the south and from out in the west
Perhaps it's all true but from my point of view
It's so peaceful in the country
It's so simple and quiet
Someday you're bound to try it
The only place to be
Is a place for you and me
Where it's peaceful in the country
Chihiro
I've known this music about 2 years ago by spotify, and every single time I listen to it all I can imagine is about a soldier coming back from the war to his house and family as well. This music brings us this feeling
Maybe I'm an Outsider
It's raining outside. This song is a warm blanket
Ronald Cheng
Especially late at night when it’s cold.
kay
i really wish more people knew this song. i remember listening to this in vermont while it was snowing and it was one of my favorite moments. this song is so beautiful and has a great messsge! if u found this song u have great taste!
Thomas Meyer
I found some old albums and this was one of the treasures.
弘睿甫
this song frightens me, its so near obscurity (watch solarsand's video to get a better sense of what i am saying)
you know the corners that no one will ever notice. and not just unpopular, its not noticable at all, its at the blindspot of everyone's sight. an overcast ranch where loneliness is an understatement , youre literally between states of being never known and never existing
EDIT: ok after 3 months i dont find it as frightening anymore
I guess it just works at 3 am
Alf Ching
This Woman was the Greatest,you could understand every word she sang.
christy ogle
Idk how this song found me, but it's a perfect fit.
Andrea Way
Rosemary Clooney does a lovely version of this as well. Mildred Bailey is great!