McKenzie played the comb by placing tissue paper over the tines and blowing on it, which produced a sound similar to a kazoo. McKenzie also played the kazoo proper, and occasionally sang. He was a co-founder, with Jack Bland, of the Mound City Blue Blowers, who released a number of titles between 1924 and 1925 and were, for a time, a sensation. At the same time, McKenzie also recorded solo as Red McKenzie & the Candy Kids. In 1928, he fronted a group called McKenzie and Condon's Chicagoans for a few sides on Okeh Records. He returned to the Mound City name again in 1929, 1931, and 1935-36.
Beginning in 1931 (no doubt due to the popularity of crooners like Bing Crosby and Russ Columbo), he started recording as a singer, processing a very warm crooner style as a solo for Columbia and with Paul Whiteman in 1932. He sang again with the Spirits of Rhythm in 1934 and the Farley-Riley group in 1935. He made two swinging vocal records for Variety in 1937. Between 1939 and 1943 he went into retirement, moving back to his birthplace of St. Louis and working in a brewery, but appeared with Eddie Condon between 1944 to 1947 as a vocalist. Known as heavy drinker, he died of liver cirrhosis in 1948.
Sweet Lorraine
Red McKenzie Lyrics
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Can't believe it yet, but it's true,
I'll give you just one guess,
My sweet Lorraine said "yes"
Waiting for the time, soon to be,
When the bells will chime merrily,
(I'm so happy,) when it's raining I don't miss the sun,
Just think that I'm the lucky one
Who will lend her down the aisle
Each night I pray
That nobody steals her heart away,
Just can't wait until that happy day,
When I marry sweet Lorraine
Everything is set, skies are blue,
Can't believe it yet, but it's true,
I'll give you just one guess,
My sweet Lorraine said "yes"
Waiting for the time, soon to be,
When the bells will chime merrily,
(I'm so happy,) when it's raining I don't miss the sun,
For it's in my sweeties smile,
Just think that I'm the lucky one
Who will lend her down the aisle
Each night I pray
That nobody steals her heart away,
Just can't wait until that happy day,
When I marry sweet Lorraine
The lyrics of Red McKenzie's song "Sweet Lorraine" are about a man who is deliriously happy because he has just proposed to his sweetheart, and she has accepted. The lyrics describe the singer's deep love for his lady and his anticipation of the day they will exchange marriage vows. He expresses his joy by saying that he doesn't miss the sun when it's raining because his sweetheart's smile is enough to dispel any gloom. The singer describes himself as the luckiest person in the world because he will be able to take his sweetheart down the aisle on their wedding day.
The lyrics of the song reflect the universal aspirations of lovers everywhere. The singer's joy and anticipation are captured vividly with the optimistic lyrics and upbeat melody of the song. "Sweet Lorraine" has a timeless quality, and it has been popular among music lovers for decades since its release in 1928.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything is set, skies are blue,
The setting is perfect and the atmosphere is joyous.
Can't believe it yet, but it's true,
The joy of the moment is overwhelming and feels surreal.
I'll give you just one guess,
There's only one thing that could've happened to make the singer so happy.
My sweet Lorraine said "yes"
The singer's beloved Lorraine has agreed to marry him.
Waiting for the time, soon to be,
The wedding is just around the corner and the couple is eagerly waiting for the day to arrive.
When the bells will chime merrily,
The wedding ceremony will be filled with happiness and the sound of the bells will signify the joyous occasion.
(I'm so happy,) when it's raining I don't miss the sun,
The singer is so happy with his beloved that even the absence of sunlight during a rainy day doesn't bother him. He has found his own source of happiness and light.
For it's in my sweeties smile,
The singer finds happiness and contentment in his beloved Lorraine's smile.
Just think that I'm the lucky one
The singer knows how fortunate he is to have Lorraine as his partner for life.
Who will lend her down the aisle
The singer will have the honor of walking Lorraine down the aisle on their wedding day.
Each night I pray
The singer is thankful for his happiness and prays that it remains intact.
That nobody steals her heart away,
The singer hopes that nobody interferes in their relationship and Lorraine remains his forever.
Just can't wait until that happy day,
The singer is eagerly waiting for the wedding day to arrive.
When I marry sweet Lorraine
The singer will finally marry the love of his life, Lorraine, and will spend the rest of his life with her.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CLIFF BURWELL, CLIFFORD BURWELL, MITCHELL PARISH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind