Born and raised in Pleasant Grove, Utah, about 35 miles south of Salt Lake City, the King Sisters originally were part of the "Driggs Family of Entertainers". Their first professional job was with a Salt Lake City radio station, from which they graduated to a station in Oakland, California. In the early 1930s sisters Luise, Maxine and Alyce formed a vocal trio along the lines of their idols, the Boswell Sisters, and traveled to San Francisco to audition for radio station KGO (to replace the Boswell Sisters themselves, who were leaving the station)." After this, Maxine retired to home life in Oakland and sisters Donna and Yvonne were added to the roster.
In 1935, the King Sisters accepted a job with bandleader Horace Heidt. Gradually, relations between the King Sisters and Heidt deteriorated to the point where they left the band. In the following years, they separately and together sang with the bands of Artie Shaw's Old Gold program and Charlie Barnet and Al Pearce series. They turned down a request to be the vocal group for the Glenn Miller Orchestra. They recorded for Bluebird Records, a sub-label of RCA Victor Records and the same label as Miller, and also had their first hit with a vocal version of Miller's hit, "In The Mood".
In 1937, Luise married guitarist Alvino Rey. At the peak of the sisters' success, they appeared in a number of 1940's Hollywood films. During World War II, they appeared regularly on Kay Kyser's radio series. In 1965, they began hosting their own ABC television-network series, The King Family Show, which featured family members including Alyce's husband, actor Robert Clarke, and her sons, Ric and Lex de Azevedo, and Cam Clarke, as well as other talent. The show ran from 1965-1966, with a 1969 revival.
A second generation of the King Family, The Four King Cousins, continues to carry on the musical tradition.
Song Of The Islands
The King Sisters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where skies of blue are calling me
Where balmy air and golden moonlight
Caress the waving palms of Wai KiKi
Valleys with their rainbows
Your mountains green, and deep blue sea
Your fragrant flowers and dreamy music
Islands of Hawaii
Where skies of blue are calling me
Where balmy air and golden moonlight
Caress the waving palms of Wai KiKi
Valleys with their rainbows
Your mountains green, and deep blue sea
Your fragrant flowers and dreamy music
Unite and sing a aloha-hi to me
The King Sisters’s “Song of the Islands” takes the listeners on a romantic journey to Hawaii, with its vivid portrayal of the islands’ beauty and charm. The lyrics describe the call of Hawaii’s blue skies, balmy air and golden moonlight that beckon to the singer. The valley’s rainbows, green mountains, deep blue sea, fragrant flowers, and dreamy music unite and sing a soothing song of Aloha to the singer. The song captures the essence of Hawaii’s allure, its beauty, and its ability to captivate those who visit its islands.
The lyrics are poetic and descriptive, creating a vivid image of Hawaii’s natural beauty. The mention of “Wai KiKi,” hints at the location of the singer, and the use of “Unite and sing a aloha-hi to me,” expresses the sense of unity and welcoming nature of Hawaiians. The song not only romanticizes Hawaii’s beauty but also captures the essence of Aloha- the love, hospitality, and kindness that Hawaii and its people are known for. The song celebrates the love and passion that people have for Hawaii, and it encapsulates the dreamy and lullaby-like feel that it holds.
Line by Line Meaning
Islands of Hawaii
Referring to the state of Hawaii, consisting of a group of islands.
Where skies of blue are calling me
The clear blue sky of Hawaii is inviting and beckoning me to come.
Where balmy air and golden moonlight
The warm, soothing atmosphere and golden light of the moon in Hawaii.
Caress the waving palms of Wai KiKi
The gentle breeze and soft moonlight touching the swaying palm trees in Wai KiKi, a neighborhood on the island of Oahu.
Valleys with their rainbows
The lush valleys of Hawaii that often have rainbows as a result of the tropical climate.
Your mountains green, and deep blue sea
The emerald green mountains and the deep blue sea surrounding the Hawaiian islands.
Your fragrant flowers and dreamy music
The sweet smelling flowers and mellifluous music that is unique to Hawaii.
Unite and sing a aloha-hi to me
All of these natural elements and cultural experiences come together to express a warm welcome and greeting (aloha-hi) to the listener.
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC
Written by: CHARLES E KING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind