He began playing the accordion at age 3, and appeared on the radio program Hobby Lobby at age seven.
His composition "Little Bird" was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1963 (a minor hit on Fred Astaire's Ava label), and he formed the Pete Jolly Trio in 1964. With the Trio, and also as a solo artist, he recorded several albums, the last being in 2000, a collaboration with Swedish jazz pianist Jan Lundgren. He also worked with other notable jazz artists, including Buddy DeFranco, Art Pepper, and Red Norvo, and for many years with EZ music arranger and director Ray Conniff.
Jolly's music can be heard on television programs such as Get Smart, The Love Boat, I Spy, Mannix, M*A*S*H, and Dallas, as well as hundreds of movie soundtracks.
He died in Pasadena, California, from complications of bone marrow cancer, having been hospitalized from August to November, 2004.
Here's That Rainy Day
Pete Jolly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Funny, but here's that rainy day
Here's that rainy day they told me about
And I laughed at the thought that it might turn out this way
Where is that worn out wish that I threw aside
After it brought my lover near
It's funny how love becomes a cold rainy dayFunny, that rainy day is here
Funny how love becomes a cold rainy day
Funny, that rainy day is here
The first two lines of the song, "Maybe I should have saved those left over dreams. Funny, but here's that rainy day," suggests a sense of regret or nostalgia. The singer seems to be reflecting upon past hopes and aspirations that were left unrealized or abandoned. The mention of a rainy day could symbolize a feeling of disappointment or sadness, as if the singer's dreams have been overshadowed by gloom.
In the next line, "Here's that rainy day they told me about," the singer acknowledges that others had warned them about this inevitable rainy day. It could be interpreted as a metaphorical representation of the difficult times in life that one is bound to face eventually. Despite their initial skepticism, the singer now finds themselves in the midst of this rainy day, suggesting the unpredictability of life and the inevitability of hardship.
The following line, "And I laughed at the thought that it might turn out this way," reveals a sense of irony or disbelief. The singer may have previously underestimated the impact of this rainy day, finding it amusing or even impossible. However, with its arrival, they realize that their laughter was misplaced, indicating a sudden realization of the seriousness and potential consequences of their situation.
The last two lines of the song, "Funny how love becomes a cold rainy day. Funny, that rainy day is here," reinforce the idea that the rainy day serves as a metaphor for a cold and difficult period, possibly triggered by the end of a romantic relationship. Love, which initially brings warmth and joy, has now turned into an unpleasant and melancholic experience. The repeated use of the word "funny" may suggest a wry sense of irony or the singer's attempt to find humor in the irony of love's transformation.
Overall, Pete Jolly's "Here's That Rainy Day" employs the metaphor of a rainy day to explore themes of regret, unforeseen circumstances, and the disillusionment that can come from failed dreams or lost love. The lyrics express a sense of reflection and acceptance, as the singer acknowledges the arrival of this difficult period and comes to terms with the unexpected turn of events.
Line by Line Meaning
Maybe I should have saved those left over dreams
Perhaps I should have held onto those unfulfilled aspirations
Funny, but here's that rainy day
Ironically, the gloomy and melancholic day has arrived
Here's that rainy day they told me about
This is the exact rainy day that others warned me of
And I laughed at the thought that it might turn out this way
I found it amusing to imagine this precise outcome
Where is that worn out wish that I threw aside
What happened to that faded desire I discarded
After it brought my lover near
Following the time it brought my significant other closer
It's funny how love becomes a cold rainy day
It's ironic how affection can transform into a desolate and sorrowful period
Funny, that rainy day is here
Paradoxically, this gloomy day has indeed arrived
Funny how love becomes a cold rainy day
It's ironic how affection can transform into a desolate and sorrowful period
Funny, that rainy day is here
Paradoxically, this gloomy day has indeed arrived
Lyrics © Kanjian Music
Written by: Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind