1959 was Conway's annus mirabilis, with a cumulative total of 83 weeks on the UK Singles Chart. This included two self-penned number one instrumentals, "Side Saddle" and "Roulette", the latter deposing Elvis Presley's "A Fool Such As I".
Conway maintained a chart presence in the early 1960s, and was a fixture on light entertainment TV shows and radio for many years afterwards thanks to his instantly recognisable piano style. For some years his career was blighted by ill-health, and his later life was notable for charity work. He founded in 1990, along with his friend writer and broadcaster Richard Hope-Hawkins, the Russ Conway Cancer Fund and they staged in major theatre's charity gala shows that raised thousands of pounds and was donated to numerous cancer charities. Russ, who never married, died on 2000-11-16 [1]. Richard Hope Hawkins gave the main address at Russ's funeral held at the historic St Mary Redcliffe Church, Bristol. Elton John sent a wreath. In 2001 Richard devised, staged and directed a tribute to Russ at the Colston Hall, Bristol with an all-star cast. The money raised which was £18,000 was donated to St Peter's Hospice, Bristol.
Toy Balloons
Russ Conway Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pretty coloured toy balloons
He'll be coming round your way
So watch for him today
There's a fairy tale he tells
With each toy balloon he sells
Of a pretty magic world
He has red ones, and white ones, and blue ones and green
He's got the prettiest balloons you've ever seen
He's got big ones and small ones and some in between
To suit every little child's dream
It's a wondrous sight to see
For the children laugh with glee
When he lets them all go free
He's pretty toy balloons
Balloons, balloons, balloons
La-la-la-la Lah-la-lah, La-la-la-la Lah-la-lah
La-la-la-la Lah-la-lah, La-la-la La-la Lah
La-la-la-la Lah-la-lah, La-la-la-la Lah-la-lah
La-la-la-la Lah-la-lah, La-la-la La-la Lah
Balloons, balloons, balloons
Flying up so high
Go way up in the sky (fade)
The song "Toy Balloons" by Russ Conway is a beautiful song with simple yet charming lyrics. The song depicts a balloon seller who comes around to sell balloons in various colors - red, white, blue, and green. The balloon seller tells a fairytale with each balloon he sells, describing a magical world that is beautiful for every boy and girl. The sight of the colorful balloons brings joy to the children, who laugh with delight when the balloon seller releases them into the sky.
The song has a very catchy tune, which is made even more memorable by the repetition of the word "balloons." It is not just a fun, lighthearted song, but it also reminds us of the simple pleasures of childhood that we often forget as we grow older. The song is filled with nostalgia and a sense of innocence which makes it very endearing.
In the end, the song conveys a clear message that life is beautiful and should be enjoyed to the fullest. The balloon seller, with his simple yet magical toys, represents the joys of our childhood, which we should always cherish.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a man who sells balloons
The song starts with introducing the character who sells balloons.
Pretty coloured toy balloons
The balloons sold by the man are pretty and come in different colours.
He'll be coming round your way
The man selling balloons will be coming around the area where one resides.
So watch for him today
The listeners are advised to keep an eye out for the balloon seller.
There's a fairy tale he tells
The balloon seller shares a fairy tale story with the children who buy balloons from him.
With each toy balloon he sells
The balloon seller shares the fairy tale story along with each toy balloon purchased by the children.
Of a pretty magic world
The fairy tale story shared by the balloon seller is about a beautiful, magical world.
For every boy and girl
The magical world described in the fairy tale is meant for every child, regardless of gender.
He has red ones, and white ones, and blue ones and green
The balloon seller has many colours of balloons for sale.
He's got the prettiest balloons you've ever seen
The balloon seller has very attractive balloons that appeal to the children.
He's got big ones and small ones and some in between
The balloon seller offers balloons of different sizes to cater to every child's preference.
To suit every little child's dream
The man sells a variety of balloons that meet every child's preference and needs.
It's a wondrous sight to see
The sight of colourful balloons floating in the air is beautiful and delightful.
For the children laugh with glee
The children are very happy and filled with joy when they see and hold the balloons.
When he lets them all go free
The balloon seller might at times let the balloons go free and float away, adding to the excitement of the children.
He's pretty toy balloons
The man sells beautiful toy balloons.
Balloons, balloons, balloons
The word is repeated, stressing the significance of the balloons in the song.
Flying up so high
Some of the balloons are released and float very high in the air.
Go way up in the sky (fade)
The balloons float further away and finally fade into the sky.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BILLY MURE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kieran Curtis
Plummy voices? I for one would be much happier if more young people sounded like this now! So much better than the mumbled poorly pronounced youth of today!
IVORIESMAN
Kieran Curtis ...yes, sadly there is an element of reality in that statement, although somewhere in between might be favourable...
simon walker
Hi...i've rediscovered Russ Conway! My mum used to like him and had a four track ep single...blue cover with a pic of him on the front smiling...i used to play it all the time...this track was on it and China Tea,not so sure of the other two tracks...really happy upbeat music! loved hearing it again...pure nostalgia, thanks
Leon Greenfield
Great song ! It is one of the first songs I remember hearing in my life !
Leon Greenfield
Very many thanks for providing this beautiful song ! Much appreciated.
IVORIESMAN
...glad to bring back happy memories Leon - thanks for listening.
GarrardAT6
Thanks Joe...My very first Russ Conway record given to me when I was about 5 or 6 years old! Plummy Voices? You want to hear me screeching along to it...haha!!! I do know what you mean though! Sound Great on the old SP25MKIII What stylus are you using?
clive alexander
im havin such a great time finding so many memories thanks for posting
paul emmins
I remember this as a child at christmas Thanks for the posting
Wendy H
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Thank you for YouTube I just love finding all my favourites from when I was young ❤️❤️❤️