After serving in the U.S. Army in World War II (where he worked under Walter Schumann), he was hired by Mitch Miller, then head of A & R at Columbia Records as their home arranger, and he worked with several artists, including Rosemary Clooney, Marty Robbins, Frankie Laine, Johnny Mathis, Guy Mitchell and Johnnie Ray. He wrote a top 10 arrangement for Don Cherry's "Band of Gold" in 1955, a single that sold more than a million copies.
Amongst the hit singles he backed with his orchestra (and eventually with a male chorus) were "Yes Tonight Josephine" and "Just Walkin' in the Rain" by Johnnie Ray; "Chances Are" and "It's Not for Me to Say" by Johnny Mathis; "A White Sport Coat" and "The Hanging Tree" by Marty Robbins; "Up Above My Head," a duet by Frankie Laine and Johnnie Ray; and "Pet Me, Poppa" by Rosemary Clooney. He also backed up the albums Tony by Tony Bennett, Blue Swing by Eileen Rodgers, Swingin' for Two by Don Cherry, and half the tracks of The Big Beat by Johnnie Ray.
In these early years he also produced some similar sounding records for Columbia's Epic label under the name of Jay Raye (which stands for "Joseph Raymond") amongst them a backing album and singles with Somethin' Smith & The Redheads, an American male vocal group.
Because of the success of his backings Mitch Miller allowed him to make his own record, and this became the successful 'S Wonderful, a collection of standards that were recorded with an orchestra and a wordless singing chorus (four men, four women). He released many more albums in the same vein, including Dance The Bop (1957), S Marvelous (1957, gold album), S Awful Nice (1958), Concert in Rhythm (1958, gold album), Hollywood in Rhythm (1958), Broadway in Rhythm (1959), and Concert in Rhythm, Volume II (1959, gold album).
In 1959 he started the Ray Conniff Singers (12 women and 13 men) and released the album It's the Talk of the Town. This group of word— not just syllable — singing singers brought him the biggest hit he ever had in his career: Somewhere My Love (1966). The title track of the album was written to the music of "Lara's Theme" from the film Doctor Zhivago, and was a top 10 single in the US. The album also reached the US top 20 and went platinum, and Conniff won a Grammy. The single and album reached high positions in the international charts (a.o. Australia, Germany, Great Britain, Japan) as well. Also extraordinarily successful was the first of four Christmas albums by the Singers, Christmas with Conniff (1959). Nearly fifty years after its release, in 2004, Conniff was posthumously awarded with a platinum album/CD.
Musically different highlights in Conniff's career are two albums he produced in cooperation with Billy Butterfield, an old buddy from earlier swing days. Conniff Meets Butterfield (1960) featured Butterfield's solo trumpet and a small rhythm group; Just Kiddin' Around (after a Conniff original composition from the 1940s), released 1963, featured additional trombone solos by Ray himself. Both albums are pure light jazz and did not feature any vocals.
Somewhere My Love
Ray Conniff Singers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Du, du, du, du, du-du
Du, du, du, du
Du, du, du, du, du-du
Somewhere, my love there will be songs to sing
Although the snow covers the hope of spring
Somewhere a hill blossoms in green and gold
Someday we'll meet again my love
Someday whenever the spring breaks through
You'll come to me out of the long ago
Warm as the wind, soft as the kiss of snow
Till then, my sweet, think of me now and then
God speed my love till you are mine again
Du, du,
du, du, du, du, du, du
Du, du, du, du, du, du, du, du, du
Lara my own, think of me now and then
God speed my love till you are mine again, mine again
The opening lines of the song Somewhere My Love by Ray Conniff set the tone for the lyrics that follows. The melody is a lullaby-soft tune that is soothing and melodic. The chorus of the song centers around an undying love and a longing for a reunion. In these lines, the singer is holding out hope that regardless of the current season, there is a brighter future ahead.
In the second verse, the song delves deeper into the fact that the love they have will never die. The words "warm as the wind, soft as the kiss of snow" signify the connection between the singer and their lover as something enduring and lasting. The final phrase "Godspeed my love till you are mine again" confirms that the separation is temporary and they look forward to their reunion.
The song is romantic and nostalgic, evoking a sense of longing and distance that highlights the yearning for someone who is far away. It also reminds us that hope is the backbone of love and that we must cling to it even when things are looking bleak.
Line by Line Meaning
Somewhere, my love there will be songs to sing
No matter where you go, there will always be music and joy in life.
Although the snow covers the hope of spring
Even though it may seem like the winter will never end, hope and new beginnings are still possible.
Somewhere a hill blossoms in green and gold
Nature is continually renewing and regenerating despite the challenges and obstacles it faces.
And there are dreams all that your heart can hold
There is no limit to the number of hopes and aspirations one can have for their life.
Someday we'll meet again my love
Although separated for now, love can always find a way to reunite.
Someday whenever the spring breaks through
When new life emerges and the world is awakened once more, we will be reunited.
You'll come to me out of the long ago
Our love transcends time and distance, and we will always be drawn back to each other.
Warm as the wind, soft as the kiss of snow
When reunited, our love will be as comforting and gentle as the breeze and the snowfall.
Till then, my sweet, think of me now and then
Although we may be apart, it is important to hold each other in our hearts and thoughts.
God speed my love till you are mine again
May the powers that be ensure that our love endures and brings us back together once more.
Lara my own, think of me now and then
Addressing a specific person and reinforcing the need to remain in each other's thoughts while apart.
God speed my love till you are mine again, mine again
Reiterating the fervent wish for love to prevail and for two souls to be reunited.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Maurice Jarre, Paul Francis Webster
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rharmc4602
I was on a layover in Hanover MD. waiting for the next Greyhound to take me home on leave from the Marine Crops. I watched this movie and this theme always reminds me of that time in my life. It also was my mothers favorite song, she cried and I had to dance with her every time we had a chance. She is in heaven listening to this as I type. R.H. USMC Ret. and thank you for this upload. God Bless America and the citizens who haven't learned yet what America is.
@smwca123
Semper Fi.
@kayw.4689
sorry for your loss... bittersweet memories
Thank you for your service..
Memory Eternal
@daviddooling5997
This was my Dad's favorite song. I recall playing it on the juke boxes at the diners we once frequented. The world is a different place, but somewhere, dear Dad, we'll meet again and there will be songs to sing.
@kayw.4689
sorry for your loss. Bittersweet memories. This song reminds me of my parents and times gone by. I agree, it's a different world now.
Memory Eternal
@user-pj7vd5yb4m
Inspirador. Grande Maestro. Eu eu o amo. Mestre!!!😂😢😅
@praywithoutceasing4939
Amen
@hildaelisaramirezgomez2124
Me hiciste recordar cuando tenia doce años veia la puesta del sol en los hermosos atardeceres de Tuxpan Veracruz y decia donde estara mi pricipe azul,tengo 75 años y aun no me llego.
@unclefester6033
When I was a little kid My parents went to see Dr Zivago. My mother went & bought this song & played it echoing thru the house! & I even found my parents dancing a bit in the livingroom! & when she died a short time later My dad told me she had dedicated this to him
@user-dt5to3jf4f
Ich habe meiner Tochter ( 27.05.2011 ) eine Geburtstags-Überraschung "gebastelt". Dieses Lid ist ein Bestand-Teil davon.