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.
Ruby
Ray Anthony Lyrics
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Not always what you seem
And though my heart may break when I awake
Let it be so
I only know, Ruby, it's you
They say, Ruby you're like a song
You don't know right from wrong
But from the start, who stole my heart?
Ruby, it's you
I hear your voice and I must come to you
I have no choice what else can I do?
They say, Ruby you're like a flame
Into my life you came
And though I should beware
Still I don't care you thrill me so
The lyrics to Ray Anthony's song Ruby describe a complex and intriguing character called Ruby. The song is essentially an ode to this mysterious and enigmatic figure, who is portrayed as both beautiful and potentially dangerous.
The opening lyrics suggest that Ruby is not always what she seems, and that her true nature can be elusive and uncertain. Despite this, the singer is willing to risk heartbreak in order to be with her, suggesting that Ruby has an irresistible allure that is impossible to resist.
The second verse goes on to describe Ruby as someone who doesn't know right from wrong, suggesting that she might be unpredictable or even amoral. However, the singer still sees heartache in her eyes and is clearly drawn to her despite any potential dangers.
The final verse compares Ruby to a flame that has ignited the singer's life, implying that she has a powerful and transformative effect on him. Even though he knows he should be wary of her, he is unable to resist her thrilling and all-consuming presence.
Line by Line Meaning
They say, Ruby you're like a dream
People speak of you as if you're an unattainable fantasy
Not always what you seem
Your outward appearance does not necessarily match your true essence
And though my heart may break when I awake
My affection for you may not have a happy ending, but I'm willing to take the risk
Let it be so
I accept my fate, whatever it may be
I only know, Ruby, it's you
My feelings are focused only on you, Ruby
They say, Ruby you're like a song
People liken you to a melody that's hard to forget
You don't know right from wrong
Your moral compass seems to be lacking
And in your eyes I see heart aches for me
I detect a sense of pain for me when I look into your eyes
But from the start, who stole my heart?
Who could have captured my affection so quickly? It was you, Ruby
Ruby, it's you
You're the only one for me
I hear your voice and I must come to you
Your voice is an irresistible lure for me, and I can't resist your call
I have no choice what else can I do?
I'm powerless to resist you, Ruby
They say, Ruby you're like a flame
People describe you as a passionate fire that engulfs everything in its path
Into my life you came
You entered my life and turned everything upside down
And though I should beware
I should be cautious around you
Still I don't care you thrill me so
Despite the potential danger, I'm completely enamored with you, Ruby
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HEINZ ROEMHELD, MITCHELL PARISH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind