As a child Anthony, born Raymond Antonini in Bentleyville, Pennsylvania, moved with his family to Cleveland, Ohio, where he studied the trumpet with his father. He played in Glenn Miller's band from 1940–1941 and appeared in the Glenn Miller movie Sun Valley Serenade in 1941 before joining the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war he formed his own group. The Ray Anthony Orchestra became very popular in the early 1950s, with recordings that included Anthony's classic dance songs "The Bunny Hop" and the "Hokey Pokey," as well as the theme music from Dragnet. He had a #2 chart hit with a remake of the Glenn Miller tune, "At Last" in 1952.
From 1953-1954 Anthony was the musical director on the television series TV's Top Tunes, and he also appeared as himself in the 1955 film Daddy Long Legs. In 1955 Anthony married his second wife, the sex symbol actress Mamie Van Doren. Their son Perry Ray was born March 18, 1956. He then began expanding his own acting career. He starred in a short-lived television 1956-1957 variety show, The Ray Anthony Show. Anthony also appeared in several films during the late 1950s, including The Five Pennies (where he portrayed Jimmy Dorsey), and Van Doren's movies High School Confidential as "Bix" and Girls Town. In the 1959-1960 television season, he guest starred in the episode "Operation Ramrod" of David Hedison's espionage series Five Fingers on NBC.
After van Doren filed for divorce in 1958, citing cruelty, they finally divorced in 1960, and Anthony's brief film career ended at about the same time. However, he continued his musical career and had another hit record with the theme from Peter Gunn, which reached #8 on Billboard's pop chart. Among his pianists was Allen "Puddler" Harris, a native of Franklin Parish, Louisiana, who had been a member of the original Ricky Nelson band and Kellie Green, who also played the vibraphone.
Anthony was considered one of the most modern of the big band leaders. In the lyrics to "Opus One", which imagine a number of players performing the song, he is cited along with Les Brown and his Band of Renown:
If Mr. Les Brown can make it renowned
And Ray Anthony could rock it for me
Anthony and his band were also featured in the movie, The Girl Can't Help It, and were treated as one of the rockers in the line-up, but also shown in performances with Mansfield that are essential to the plot.
Ray Anthony's compositions include "Thunderbird", "Bunny Hop", "Trumpet Boogie", "Big Band Boogie", and "Mr. Anthony's Boogie".
In the early 1980s, Anthony formed Big Band '80s, other members including Buddy Rich, Harry James, Les Brown, and Alvino Rey.
Anthony, who has been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, continues to be active as a bandleader and musician.
Anthony is a close friend of Hugh Hefner and has appeared in numerous episodes of The Girls Next Door.
Christmas Kisses
Ray Anthony Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Smilin' shoppers everywhere, I'm lonely as can be
Oh, but I'll be home in two more days it's you that my heart misses
Please meet me, dear, at eight P.M. and bring your Christmas kisses
Mistletoe is everywhere but, darlin', I'll be true
I can't kiss somebody's lips unless that someone's you
I've longed each day to hold you tight I know what loneliness is
(do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do)
This letter that I'm writing you brings teardrops to my eyes
But they're tears of happiness because I realize
I'm closer to the one I love with each hour that passes
I'll see you soon and don't be late and bring your Christmas kisses
Soon these lonely days will end that we've spent apart
This holiday I'll hold you close as well as in my heart
I'll close for now this letter filled with all my love and wishes
I'll see you, dear, in two more days and share your Christmas kisses
I'll see you, dear, in two more days and share your Christmas kisses
(kisses, kisses, kisses, kisses, kisses,)
The song "Christmas Kisses" by Ray Anthony expresses the feeling of loneliness during the holiday season in the absence of love. The opening lines of the song convey the disappointment and feeling of sadness that comes with Christmas when the person you love is not around to share the season with you. The singer misses their love and wishes to be with them during the festivities.
The chorus is a call to their partner, to meet them at eight P.M. and share the love they have been missing. Mistletoe is everywhere, but the singer emphasizes their fidelity, stating that they cannot kiss anyone else, as their lips only belong to their love. The lyrics are touching, and the singer uses the letter to express the tears of happiness they feel with the realization that they will soon be reunited.
Finally, the song offers hope, as the singer anticipates better days when they will no longer be apart from their love, filling them with love and Christmas wishes. The line "I'll see you soon and don't be late and bring your Christmas kisses" seals the promise of the reunion, and their love will be eternal.
Line by Line Meaning
Christmas time is almost here and you're not here with me
The holiday season is coming up soon but I feel lonely without you by my side.
Smilin' shoppers everywhere, I'm lonely as can be
Although I see people happy and festive everywhere, I feel the absence of your presence.
Oh, but I'll be home in two more days it's you that my heart misses
Fortunately, I'll be back home soon but my heart aches for you.
Please meet me, dear, at eight P.M. and bring your Christmas kisses
Meet me on the evening of the day I return at eight and don't forget to bring your Christmas kisses.
Mistletoe is everywhere but, darlin', I'll be true
Even though mistletoe is everywhere, I will stay true to you.
I can't kiss somebody's lips unless that someone's you
I cannot kiss anybody else unless it's you whom I am kissing.
I've longed each day to hold you tight I know what loneliness is
I have missed holding you tightly every single day, and the feeling of loneliness has made me aware of how much you mean to me.
But I'll be home in two more days then share your Christmas kisses
I'll be back home soon, and then we can share our Christmas kisses.
This letter that I'm writing you brings teardrops to my eyes
Writing this letter to you makes me emotional, and I have tears in my eyes.
But they're tears of happiness because I realize
Although these tears seem sad, they are happy tears because I realize that I'm closer to you with every passing moment.
I'm closer to the one I love with each hour that passes
Every hour brings me closer to you, the one I love.
I'll see you soon and don't be late and bring your Christmas kisses
I'll see you soon, don't be late, and remember to bring your Christmas kisses.
Soon these lonely days will end that we've spent apart
Our days of loneliness and separation will soon come to an end.
This holiday I'll hold you close as well as in my heart
During this holiday, I'll embrace you tightly and keep you in my heart always.
I'll close for now this letter filled with all my love and wishes
I'll finish this letter now, which is filled with all my love and wishes for you.
I'll see you, dear, in two more days and share your Christmas kisses
In two days, I'll see you, my dear, and we can share our Christmas kisses together.
(kisses, kisses, kisses, kisses, kisses,)
The song ends with a repetition of the word 'kisses' as a reminder of the warmth and love of the holiday season.
Contributed by Ellie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@smokinjz
Santa can keep the HiFi set
There's something that is better yet
I want, oh-oh-oh, your Christmas kisses
Lots of nice presents there alright
But baby they can't hold me tight
I want, oh-oh-oh, your Christmas kisses
(Your Christmas kisses)
Wrap them up pretty one-by-one
Two-by-two, three-by-three
Then when you've got the wrapping done
Give 'em all to me
After the mistletoe is hung
The tree is trimmed, the carols sung
I want, oh-oh-oh, your Christmas kisses
(Your Christmas kisses)
Then when you've got the wrapping done
Give 'em all to me
After the mistletoe is hung
The tree is trimmed, the carols sung
I want, oh-oh-oh, I want, oh-oh-oh
I want, oh-oh-oh, your Christmas kisses
Your Christmas kisses
Your Christmas kisses
@DanielElder32
One of my all time favorite holiday songs!
@herasmarket
When you've got all the wrapping done, give them all to me (yeah). Love it. I want your Christmas Kisses!
@jeremyrousset7499
Hate to ❤Love it! 😂
@VirginSuicide77
Only heard this song this year and I love it! One of those holiday songs you aren't sick of the second time around.
@thestoryofo9636
This is my favorite gay song for Christmas!!
@deathrek2
awesome song
@novaleeaguirre1106
Hate this song always on at work lol
@LittleMissLounge
Novalee Aguirre Totally understandable lol.
@eddieloius4592
you must work at Home Depot! lol
@herasfolly
annoys me too at work, but kind of catchy at the same time..