“Patty Andrews, the lead singer of the Andrews sisters group was born in Mound, Minnesota on February 16, 1918 in a house that occupied the property where The Gillespie Center stands today.
During the 1920’s Laverne, Maxene and Patty Andrews spent their summers in Mound, living with their parents in a house across the street from the grocery store that was owned by Pete and Ed Sollie, bachelor uncles of the three girls. (Today, Green T Accounting occupies the Sollie grocery store building and The Gillespie Center is on the land where the Andrews Sisters’ house once stood.)” - From a commentary by Tom Rockvam that appeared in The Laker Newspaper during 2005.
They started their career as imitators of an earlier successful singing group, the Boswell Sisters. After singing with various dance bands and touring on Vaudeville, they first came to national attention with their recordings and radio broadcasts in 1937. Their music entertained Allied troops worldwide during World War II, sold war bonds, appeared in several films (including a few Abbott and Costello features), and performed for soldiers serving overseas. Their first film with Abbott and Costello, the pre-war comedy Buck Privates, introduced their best-known recording, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" which would win Best Song at the Academy Awards.
They also recorded many songs with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and other popular artists of the era. Their popularity was such that after the war they discovered that some of their records had actually been smuggled into Germany after the labels had been changed to read "Hitler's Marching Songs."
After a brief hiatus after the war, the sisters regrouped, performing in clubs throughout the United States and Europe. They broke up in 1953, with Patty's choice to go solo. Their last appearance together was in 1962 on The Dean Martin Show. Laverne, who had cancer, retired soon after; she died five years later, in 1967 at the age of 55.
After a long silence, the two surviving sisters had something of a comeback when Bette Midler recorded a cover of their song "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy." Maxene and Patty appeared both together and separately throughout the 1970s, with Maxene releasing a solo album in 1986. Their most notable comeback; however, was in the Sherman Brothers' nostalgic World War II musical: "Over Here!" which premiered on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre in 1974. The musical featured the two then living sisters (Maxene and Patty) and was written with them in mind for the leads. It launched the careers of many, now notable theater and film icons (John Travolta, Marilu Henner, Ann Reinking, et al). Ironically it was the last major hurrah of the sisters and was cut short due to a frivolous lawsuit initiated by Patty's husband to the show's producers.
Throughout their long career, the sisters had sold over 60 million records. The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998.
The last of the three sisters Patty Andrews died of natural causes at her home in Northridge, California on January 30, 2013, just 17 days before her 95th birthday. The sisters were interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California, close to their parents.
A Rainy Day Refrain
The Andrews Sisters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On a rainy, rainy day
And if your sweetie cries, just tell her,
That a smile will always pay
Whenever skies are gray,
Don`t you worry or fret,
A smile will bring the sunshine,
So, let a smile be your umbrella,
On a rainy, rainy day
Just let a smile be your umbrella,
On a rainy, rainy day
And if your sweetie cries, just tell her,
That a smile will always pay
Whenever skies are gray,
Don't worry or fret,
A smile will bring the sunshine,
And you`ll never get wet!
So, let a smile be your umbrella,
On a rainy, rainy day
Just let a smile be your umbrella,
On a rainy, rainy day
On a rainy, rainy day
On a rainy, rainy day
The Andrews Sisters's song A Rainy Day Refrain is a cheerful and uplifting tune that encourages listeners to keep a positive attitude in the face of adversity. The opening lines of the song advise the listener to use a smile as an umbrella on a rainy day. The metaphor suggests that a good mood can shield a person from the negative effects of a difficult situation.
The song goes on to suggest that a smile can be used to comfort others as well. If someone is feeling sad or upset, a smile can make them feel better. The lyrics reinforce the idea that a positive attitude can improve one's life and the lives of those around them.
Overall, A Rainy Day Refrain is a song about resilience and finding joy even in the midst of difficult circumstances. The Andrews Sisters's lively performance adds to the uplifting tone of the song, making it a catchy and memorable tune that has stood the test of time.
Line by Line Meaning
Just let a smile be your umbrella,
Instead of a physical umbrella, use a smile to protect yourself from the negative effects of the rain.
On a rainy, rainy day
During a time of sadness or difficulty.
And if your sweetie cries, just tell her,
If someone you care about is upset, encourage them to smile.
That a smile will always pay
A smile can have positive effects on one's mood and the people around them.
Whenever skies are gray,
During times of sadness or difficulty,
Don't worry or fret,
Don't stress or be anxious.
A smile will bring the sunshine,
A smile can bring happiness and positivity.
And you`ll never get wet!
Using a smile can help one avoid negative emotions, just like an umbrella keeps rain off of you.
So, let a smile be your umbrella,
In trying times, use a smile as a tool for protection.
On a rainy, rainy day
During a time of sadness or difficulty.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FRANCIS WHEELER, IRVING KAHAL, SAMMY FAIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aaarrrggghhhh
Brilliant. I heard this today for the first time on a TV programme and spent all morning trying to find it. Thanks for posting this. I'll never look at the rain in the same way again.