The Ames Brothers got their beginning in Malden, where all four were born. The act consisted of Joe (born 3 May 1921), Gene (born 13 February 1923), Vic (born 20 May 1925 - died 23 January 1978) and Ed (born 9 July 1927).
Born into a non-professional but musical family, the boys were brought up on classical and operatic music. Their parents, David and Sarah Urick, were Russian Jewish immigrants from the Ukraine who read Shakespeare and semi-classics to their nine children from the time they were old enough to listen.
The brothers formed a quartet with a cousin Lennie, and had been touring United States Army and Navy bases entertaining the troops and were offered a job at the Foxs and Hounds nightclub, one of the fanciest clubs in Boston. This one week engagement turned into several months when the word got around of their appearance. At the time, they were going by the name of the Amory Brothers, a name taken from Vic's middle name and they were becoming quite popular in the area. It was at this time that Joe decided to rejoin the group. He said they were just having too much fun together for him to miss out. Taking their act to New York they got a job with bandleader Art Mooney. One day while at Leeds Publishing Company in search of a song called "Should I" that their mother had asked them to sing, Milt Gabler of Decca Records heard them singing it and had them cut a few sides for Decca Records just before the ban which started in January, 1948.
A year later when the ban was lifted, the Ames Brothers were the first artists to record for Coral Records. The name Amory was shortened to Ames. They were swept into national top billing with their first hit record, "Rag Mop," in January, 1950. Doing radio shows for free at times just for the experience, they later became regulars on such shows as The Arthur Godfrey Hour. One of the first acts to appear on the original Ed Sullivan Show when it was known as Toast of the Town, they made their debut with him when the show was telecast live from Wanamaker's Department Store.
Soon, they were the top paid group in nightclubs and supperclubs everywhere and their popularity on television was nationwide. In 1956 they starred in their own show, The Ames Brothers Show, which was seen on Friday nights. It was the first syndicated television show to be shown in foreign countries.
Over their fifteen year career the prolific Brothers notched up 50 U.S. chart entries, 21 of them on the Coral label before signing with RCA Victor. The group disbanded in the 1960s but Ed Ames went on with a successful singing and acting career, including playing Daniel Boone's sidekick, Mingo, on the successful Daniel Boone television series (1964-1970).
They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998.
Sentimental Journey
The Ames Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gonna set my heart at ease
Gonna make a sentimental journey
To renew old memories
Got my bag, got my reservation
Spent each dime I could afford
Like a child in wild anticipation
Seven, that's the time we leave, at seven
I'll be waitin' up for heaven
Countin' every mile of railroad track
That takes me back
Never thought my heart could be so 'yearny'
Why did I decide to roam?
Gotta take that sentimental journey
Sentimental journey home,
Sentimental journey!
The Ames Brothers's song "Sentimental Journey" speaks of the singer's desire to take a journey down memory lane, to revisit old memories that he cherishes. The song sets a nostalgic tone, invoking a wistful yearning for the past. The lyrics, "Gonna take a sentimental journey, gonna set my heart at ease, gonna make a sentimental journey, to renew old memories" show the singer's motivation behind the journey. He wants to relieve the memories of a happy and carefree time, and to find solace in them.
The song conveys the excitement and joy of travel, as the singer has made all the necessary preparations for the trip. The lyrics, "Got my bag, got my reservation, spent each dime I could afford, like a child in wild anticipation, long to hear that 'All aboard'" present the enthusiasm the singer is feeling for his journey. The song carries a mood of happiness and hopefulness, with the singer looking forward to the journey ahead.
In conclusion, "Sentimental Journey" is a timeless classic that expresses the human desire to cherish old memories and relive the past.
Line by Line Meaning
Gonna take a sentimental journey
I am planning to go on a trip down memory lane
Gonna set my heart at ease
I want to calm my troubled feelings and find peace in my memories
Gonna make a sentimental journey
I'm determined to embark on this nostalgic journey
To renew old memories
I hope to relive some precious moments from the past
Got my bag, got my reservation
I have packed my bags and booked my travel plans in advance
Spent each dime I could afford
I have put all my savings into this journey
Like a child in wild anticipation
I'm excited like a little kid waiting for something special to happen
Long to hear that 'All aboard'
I can't wait to hear the announcement that signals the start of my trip
Seven, that's the time we leave, at seven
My trip is scheduled to begin at seven o'clock
I'll be waitin' up for heaven
I'll be eagerly waiting for the journey to begin
Countin' every mile of railroad track
I'll be keeping track of the distance traveled
That takes me back
That will help me revisit my past
Never thought my heart could be so 'yearny'
I didn't know my heart could feel this strong longing
Why did I decide to roam?
I wonder why I chose to leave in the first place
Gotta take that sentimental journey
I must go on this trip down memory lane
Sentimental journey home
I'm going back to where my heart truly belongs
Sentimental journey!
Let's embark on this magnificent trip of nostalgia and recollection
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Benjamin Homer, Bud Green, Les Brown
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@waterschannel7987
Pure class all the way.
@zygmuntc
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. This is my absolute Favorite version of this song.
@vavajesuis4723
Nice song!
@ptm51
My favorite song!!
thanks
@HarmonyTunes1
Thanks for the post. I wish everyone would also post the record label & number. It helps when looking for the original vinyl.
@zigenterprises
This was the number one song on the bill boards when I was born .... so I was told LOL
@Theoriginaltkg2902
One of the first 45's i owned, 1951.
@Theoriginaltkg2902
Oh yeah!!!
@imjbler
Me too!! ^^