Born into a Welsh family, Russ Morgan was encouraged to express himself musically from the tender age of seven. His ability had come naturally since his father, a coal-mine foreman, was a former musician who played drums in the local band in his spare time with his mother, before her marriage, had been a pianist in a vaudeville act. Almost at the same age that he began to study piano, he began to work in the mines in order to earn money to help support his family and pay for his lessons.
At the age of fourteen, he earned extra money as a pianist performing in a theater in his hometown. With his extra money, he purchased another instrument: a trombone. In 1921, he used the trombone while working with a local band called the Scranton Sirens. This band became one of the hottest in the Pennsylvania area during the 1920s. In fact some of its alumni, such as Jimmy Dorsey on sax and clarinet, Billy Lustig on violin and Tommy Dorsey on trombone (who took Russ's place when he left the organization) went on to become famous.
[edit] Early career
At eighteen, he decided to try and further his career by going to New York. By 1925, at the age of twenty-one, he arranged for both John Philip Sousa and Victor Herbert. He then continued to gain experience by joining Paul Specht's orchestra and toured throughout Europe with the orchestra. Contemporaries of Morgan's in this orchestra were among greats – names like Arthur Schutt, Don Lindley, Chauncey Morehouse, Orville Knapp, Paul Whiteman, Charlie Spivak and Artie Shaw also played in this orchestra during the 1920s.
Upon returning from the European tour, Jean Goldkette invited him to Detroit to organize, lead and arrange for his new band. Some members of the now immortal all-star Goldkette orchestra were his old associates from former days. The band included Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Chauncey Morehouse, Joe Venuti, Eddie Lang, Bix Beiderbecke and Fuzzy Farrar.
For a short time, in 1934, he arranged for Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra. In 1935, he then played trombone with the Original Dixieland Jazz Band when they recorded four sides for Vocalion. On September 12, 1935, Russ playing piano and Joe Venuti on violin cut two sides for Brunswick, “Red Velvet” and “Black Satin.” Most of the songs were written by Russ and Joe.
[edit] Radio work
His biggest success in the music world came when he was offered the post of Musical Director for Detroit Radio Station WXYZ. His show, "Music in the Morgan Manner", became one of the most popular radio shows. At one time, during his radio run, he was directing nine commercial programs. While in Detroit, he arranged for the Detroit 102 piece Symphony Orchestra thus demonstrating once again his varied musical experience and ability.
In the early 1930s, Russ was in an automobile accident that almost ended his career. After several months in the hospital he decided to start again in New York City. He became arranger for bands like the George White Scandals, The Cotton Club Revue and the Capitol Theatre. When not arranging for the various Broadway shows, he worked with leading orchestras in New York, such as Phil Spitalny, Eddie Gilligan, Ted Fio Rito and Freddy Martin, as pianist and/or trombonist.
He then joined the Freddy Martin Orchestra in 1934 as a piano player. He worked chiefly as trombonist and arranger with the band. While working with Martin's orchestra, he also worked as a musical director at Brunswick Records back in New York. It was here that he met the future Mrs. Morgan, Shirley Gray, whom he married in 1939.
[edit] Career
While at Brunswick, he met Rudy Vallee, who was impressed with Morgan's musical ability. He insisted he form an orchestra of his own. He then invited Russ to appear as a guest on his popular Fleishman Yeast radio show. Vallee was also instrumental in getting Morgan in his first engagement in New York City, along with his own orchestra at the Biltmore Hotel. This first engagement was indicative of the audiences' reaction to Morgan's appearances. He started with a four-week contract. But the contract extended and Morgan remained at the hotel for two years. In the next few years, he was able to add musical directorship to the Rinso-Lifebuoy Show on NBC for thirty-nine weeks and the Philip Morris radio series on NBC and CBS for two years to his growing list of achievements.
Some of his other triumphs were his record-breaking runs in famed hotels, ballrooms and theatres across the country. A few of these engagements were at the Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles; Claremont Hotel, California; Edgewater Beach Hotel, Chicago; Aragon and Trianon, Chicago; Strand, Chicago; the Statler Hotel, New York; Orpheum, Los Angeles; Palladium, Hollywood; to name a few.
[edit] Chart success
In 1949, four songs he recorded made it big on the charts. They were "So Tired", "Cruising Down the River", "Sunflower" and "Forever and Ever." On the latter he used a vocal quartet that was just starting out and would later become famous as the Ames Brothers. 1949 was his big year.
Alan Herbert, the Morning Man on the American Forces Network Radio Station in Bremen, Germany played Morgan's "So Tired," liked the tune and played it almost daily, to the delight of his American and British audience in 1947-48. It was easily the most requested song played on the station. Herbert takes some credit for putting it on the charts, as service men and women requested it from their local stations when they got back home.
[edit] Later career / death
During the 1950s, his orchestra continued to be a popular one for dancing and listening music. He continued to set house records with his appearances in California and New York as well as his many tours across the entire nation. During this decade, it was mostly the long-established veteran "sweet bands" that were supplying the music for dancers, and Russ Morgan was one of them. The veterans included Jan Garber, Sammy Kaye, Wayne King, Guy Lombardo, Freddy Martin and Lawrence Welk.
In 1958, Morgan's nineteen-piece band had been reduced to eleven men, with his sons Jack Morgan on trombone and David Morgan on guitar. In 1965, he was then booked for an eight-week engagement at the Top O' The Strip at the Dunes Hotel in Las Vegas. However, it ended up lasting until 1977, a total of twelve years.
He died in 1969 at the age of sixty-five. Morgan’s son, Jack, took over the leadership. He has led the band ever since.
For his contributions for recording, he has a "Star" on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Does Your Heart Beat for Me
Russ Morgan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It fills me with longing for you;
Am I taking too much for granted,
Wond'ring if you miss me too?
Tho' we said "goodbye," when the moon is high,
Does your heart beat for me?
I wonder if I still linger
When you hear my name, is the thrill the same
as it once used to be?
When you're lonesome, my sweetheart,
Does your heart beat for me.
Tho' we said "goodbye," when the moon is high,
Does your heart beat for me?
I wonder if I still linger
In your memory.
When you hear my name, is the thrill the same
as it once used to be?
When you're lonesome, my sweetheart,
Does your heart beat for me.
The lyrics of Russ Morgan's song "Does Your Heart Beat for Me" speak about a longing for someone who has been departed from. The singer is filled with nostalgia, wondering if the person they once loved still feels the same. The moonlight seems to evoke memories of the past, causing the singer to ponder if their old lover thinks about them too. The word "enchanted" can be interpreted as a metaphor for the way memories can evoke emotions and create a sense of longing for the past.
The chorus repeats the same two questions, asking if the lover's heart still beats for the singer and whether their memories still contain the same thrill. The singer admits that they feel lonely without the person they're thinking of, which implies that they are hoping for a reunion. The lyrics are simple yet emotionally charged, capturing the sense of melancholy that comes when we long for someone we cannot have.
Overall, the song speaks to a timeless sentiment that people have experienced for centuries. The desire to feel connected to someone we have lost can be a powerful force, and the song speaks to this in a poignant way. It is a testament to the power of music to capture complex emotions and make us feel seen.
Line by Line Meaning
Is the moonlight tonight enchanted,
I am captivated by the beautiful moonlight tonight and it has made me long for you.
It fills me with longing for you;
The moonlight has invoked feelings of longing for you in me.
Am I taking too much for granted,
I wonder if I am being too presumptuous and assuming that you also miss me.
Wond'ring if you miss me too?
I am curious if you also feel my absence and miss me like I miss you.
Tho' we said 'goodbye', when the moon is high,
Although we parted ways, I still wonder if you think of me under the same moonlight.
Does your heart beat for me?
Do you still harbor feelings for me even after our goodbye?
I wonder if I still linger in your memory.
I contemplate if you still remember me and think of our time together.
When you hear my name, is the thrill the same as it once used to be?
I question if hearing my name still brings the same excitement it used to for you.
When you're lonesome, my sweetheart, does your heart beat for me.
I am asking if, in moments of loneliness, you still feel drawn to me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ARNOLD JOHNSON, MITCHELL PARISH, RUSS MORGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@royvaladez4051
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE UNIQUE SOUND OF RUSS MORGAN!! THIS MUSIC RESONATES IN MY HEART IN A MONUMENTAL WAY!!
@possiblyli5510
Lovely song, I believe I have it on the black label Decca 78. Russ Morgan had lots of good programs on radio and quite a nice solo career. Recorded 45s and duets well into the 50s to my knowledge.
@rainandxiangling69
Using this for my eateot fan album
@theodoremastos4739
Enjoy my friends. They don't make music like this anymore. Imagine: you can understand each word of the song.
@russellcandy9850
My mother,her sister and her girlfriends would sing this song every gathering they had. Great memories!! Thanks for posting!!
@fromthesidelines
Recorded on January 4, 1939.
During the 1948 "recording ban", Decca reissued it (on 25080)- and it became Russ' biggest hit of 1949.
@scotnick59
My Grandparents loved Russ Morgan's music more than any other band
@mara3842
My goodness, I just wish I could travel in time!
@v_bryce
I love this
@adler_dot
Tobias espero y sepas que te amo mucho, espero algún día poder bailar esta pieza con vos, cuando eso suceda actualizare.