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.
DAY BY DAY
Ray Anthony Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And day by day my love seems to grow
There isn't any end to my devotion
It's deeper dear by far than any ocean
I find that day by day you're making all my dreams come true
So come what may I want you to know
I'm yours alone, and I'm in love to stay
The song "Day By Day" sung by Ray Anthony is an enduring love song and the lyrics describe the deepening of love over time. The singer proclaims that his love is growing stronger each day and that there is no end to his devotion. The lyrics convey a sense of hope and assurance that the love will last forever, with the singer promising to remain true to his beloved.
The first verse of the song emphasizes the depth of the singer's love for the other person. He says that his love is growing day by day and that it's deeper than any ocean. This emphasis on the depth of love is repeated in the second verse, where the singer says that his beloved is making all his dreams come true. He also promises that he will remain faithful and in love for the rest of their lives.
The song's chorus expresses the idea that love is something that grows over time, becoming stronger and more enduring with each passing day. The lyrics are simple yet powerful, conveying a sense of deep, abiding love that will withstand the test of time. Overall, "Day By Day" is a timeless love song that celebrates the beauty and power of true love.
Line by Line Meaning
Day by day I'm falling more in love with you
Gradually, my love for you keeps increasing every day
And day by day my love seems to grow
My love for you keeps increasing every day
There isn't any end to my devotion
I am devoted to you without limit or end
It's deeper dear by far than any ocean
My love for you is far deeper than the ocean
I find that day by day you're making all my dreams come true
Every day, you are fulfilling all my dreams
So come what may I want you to know
No matter what happens, I want you to know
I'm yours alone, and I'm in love to stay
I belong to you exclusively, and my love for you will never fade
As we go through the years day by day
As time passes, my love for you will only continue to grow
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Sammy Cahn, Alex Stordhal, Paul Weston
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind