Mary Frances Penick was born on December 30, 1931 in the small Appalachian town of Dry Ridge, Kentucky. As a child, her grandfather nicknamed her "Skeeter" because she was always active and buzzing around like a mosquito. She got her start in music as part of the duo, The Davis Sisters, along with childhood friend, Betty Jack Davis. Thus, Skeeter Davis was born to the rest of the world.
The Davis Sisters sang in the local Lexington, Kentucky area and appeared on local radio WLAX in 1949. From there, they earned radio and television appearances in Detroit, Cincinnati and Wheeling, WV, where they were part of the WWVA Wheeling Jamboree.
In 1952, Skeeter and Betty Jack recorded for Fortune, but won a recording contract with RCA the following year and achieved their first chart success. "I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know" went to number one on the U.S. country chart and number eighteen on the U.S. pop chart.
Sadly, on August 23, 1953, Skeeter and Betty Jack were involved in a serious car accident in which Betty Jack died and Skeeter was critically injured. It took Skeeter more than a year to recover both physically and mentally. With great difficulty and a lot of persuasion, Skeeter returned to singing with Betty Jack's sister, Georgia Davis, to briefly resume the Davis Sisters' act. But, within a year, the duo broke up and Skeeter pursued a solo career.
She continued to record on the RCA label where she worked with Eddy Arnold and Elvis Presley. In 1955, she toured for RCA on the Caravan of the Stars. Davis teamed up with producer, Chet Atkins and scored her first solo country chart hit in 1958 with "Lost To A Geisha Girl." This was during a time when the female acts were surging forward with "response" songs to some of the biggest hits by male artists. As Kitty Wells had answered Hank Thompson's "Honky Tonk Angels," with "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" in 1952, Skeeter Davis put out this answer to Hank Locklin's "Geisha Girl."
A few years later, Davis recorded another answer to a Hank Locklin song and gained another huge hit. Locklin sang "Please Help Me I'm Falling" and Davis' response was, "I Can't Help You, I'm Falling Too."
In 1959, Davis achieved one of her greatest ambitions when she moved to Nashville and became a regular member of the Grand Ole Opry. In 1960, she married WSM personality, Ralph Emery, but the tumultuous marriage ended in 1964.
During the 1960's, Davis was one of RCA's most successful country artists. She harvested 26 U.S. country hits, 12 of which crossed over to the U.S. pop charts. Among these was what was to become her trademark song, the million-selling record "The End Of The World" which peaked at number two in both the U.S. country and pop charts in 1963. She also earned her only UK chart presence with "The End Of The World" which topped out at number eighteen in only thirteen weeks on the chart.
Davis has also acheived songwriting success. Her co-written song "Set Him Free" became her first country Top 10 hit in 1959. She also co-wrote "My Last Date" with Boudleaux Bryant and Floyd Cramer. Cramer, famed pianist and member of the original A-team, recorded it as an instrumental solo and had a million-selling record on it in 1960.
During the 60's and 70's, Davis toured extensively in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Far East. Her solo career started to wane in the 70's, but she still had several more hits such as "Bus Fare To Kentucky," "I'm A Lover, Not A Fighter," and "One Tin Soldier." Her duets with Bobby Bare, George Hamilton IV, and The Bee Gees gave her a few more hits, but by the mid-70's, Davis was reaching the end of her illustrious career. She ended her twenty-two year relationship with RCA in 1974 and charted her last hit for Mercury in 1976 with "I Love Us."
In 1967, Davis recorded a tribute album to Buddy Holly, which featured Waylon Jennings on the guitar. Later in 1972, she also did a tribute album to her friend, Dolly Parton. In 1985, she re-recorded an old Davis Sisters' hit, "May You Never Be Alone," with the group NRBQ. She married Joey Spampanito of NRBQ, but this marriage ultimately ended in divorce as well.
In 1973, Davis was dropped from the Grand Ole Opry's roster due to her strong criticisms of the Nashville Police Department during one of her performances. Her membership was later reinstated.
Davis has also taken to writing about her real life experiences. Her autobiography, "Bus Fare To Kentucky," was published in 1993. Davis pulls no punches in this brutally honest account of her life. She tells how she endured a family history of alcoholism, incest and murder. She also tells her side of the story regarding her four year marriage to Ralph Emery, following the heavy criticism which she received in Emery's autobiography. In 1997, she co-wrote a children's Christmas book, entitled "The Christmas Note," based on her own childhood.
Skeeter Davis passed away September 19th 2004 after a long battle with cancer.
Written by Sherry Anderson. June 2001
* Article appears courtesy of www.countrypolitan.com
Blueberry Hill
Skeeter Davis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The moon stood still on Blueberry Hill and linger until my dreams came true
Though wind in the willows plays love's sweet melody
But all of those vows we made were never to be
Though we're apart you're a part of me still for you were my thrill on Blueberry Hill
[ strings ]
Though wind in the willows plays...
Yes you were my thrill on Blueberry Hill
The lyrics to Skeeter Davis's song, "Blueberry Hill," describe the joy and fulfillment the singer found when she discovered her love on Blueberry Hill. The melody of wind in the willows plays, creating a love song so sweet that it lingers, resulting in a complete fulfillment of her dreams. The singer reminisces on the vows made on the hill, which unfortunately were never fulfilled. She expresses the emotional attachment and impact her past love had on her, even though they are apart. The song ends with a repeat of the phrase "you were my thrill on Blueberry Hill," as the singer holds on to the cherished memories of their time together.
Line by Line Meaning
I found my thrill on Blueberry Hill on Blueberry Hill when I found you
I experienced excitement and happiness when I found you on Blueberry Hill
The moon stood still on Blueberry Hill and linger until my dreams came true
On Blueberry Hill, my dreams came true and time seemed to pass slowly like the moon standing still
Though wind in the willows plays love's sweet melody
Nature seems to be in harmony with love on Blueberry Hill as the wind blowing through the willows creates a sweet melody
But all of those vows we made were never to be
Unfortunately, the promises and commitments we made to each other on Blueberry Hill could not be fulfilled
Though we're apart you're a part of me still for you were my thrill on Blueberry Hill
Even though we are separated, you will always be a part of me because you brought me great joy and excitement on Blueberry Hill
[ strings ]
Instrumental interlude
Though wind in the willows plays...
Nature on Blueberry Hill still seems to be in harmony with love
Yes you were my thrill on Blueberry Hill
You were the reason for my excitement and happiness on Blueberry Hill
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Al Lewis, Larry Stock, Vincent Rose
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rivaldy Brian
I found my thrill
On Blueberry Hill
On Blueberry Hill
When I found you
The moon stood still
On Blueberry Hill
And lingered until
My dream came true
The wind in the willow played
Love's sweet melody
But all of those vows you made
Were never to be
Though we're apart
You're part of me still
For you were my thrill
On Blueberry Hill
The wind in the willow played
Love's sweet melody
But all of those vows we made
Were only to be
Though we're apart
You're part of me still
For you were my thrill
On Blueberry Hill
Rivaldy Brian
I found my thrill
On Blueberry Hill
On Blueberry Hill
When I found you
The moon stood still
On Blueberry Hill
And lingered until
My dream came true
The wind in the willow played
Love's sweet melody
But all of those vows you made
Were never to be
Though we're apart
You're part of me still
For you were my thrill
On Blueberry Hill
The wind in the willow played
Love's sweet melody
But all of those vows we made
Were only to be
Though we're apart
You're part of me still
For you were my thrill
On Blueberry Hill
Lex Soft
This is the 1st version I listened and have been still the best version, because of upbeat, orchestra supported and Skeeter Davis's unique voice.
The808PH
Love Skeeter's voice and this album.
fredrick mungai
,
Music Rocks!
She was a legend and one of the best country music singers ever.
Emily Todd
Simply beautiful. She had a voice like no other, like the voice of an angel. Never did I know that she was from Kentucky. I'm from Kentucky, as well. I'm mighty proud to be a Kentucky girl. I hope to grow up to be like Skeeter Davis. She is my singing idol. Sadly, we lost her back in 2004, but she's in a much better place, on tour with the Angels. Love you, Miss Skeeter Davis! May your legacy live on, as it already has. Rest in peace, Skeeter. Gone, but never forgotten. ❤️❤️
Joe Nicholl
I also love Skeeter Davis's beautiful voice...and the Great State of Kentucky! Love it there, so beautiful...I'd like to move back!
Eddie Parker
This gal is absolutely awesome a voice like no other a real a sweetheart
kvernon1
I remember as a child, a family member checked out this LP from the local library, and it was the first time I heard "Blueberry Hill". So when I later heard it performed by Fats Domino, I thought his version sounded so strange! A piano and no strings? :)
Daniel Patty
No matter if it is 2021 or 2845, this song will forever be one of comfort song.