It takes what would otherwise be a very sad story and gives it an upbeat, joyous tone. The old guy has lived a full, good life, raised a family, now feels fulfilled and is ready for a rest. BTW, that is not a harpsichord, it's an upright piano, like you see being played in every saloon that's ever been depicted in a western movie. I don't find it in any way creepy.
Rosemary Clooney was George Clooney's aunt. This is actually a gospel song, about an elderly widower now living alone, who realizes that his life is almost over, and is looking forward to the afterlife. He's too old and tired to do all the repairs the old house needs, and it doesn't matter anyway, since he's not going to be around much longer. Today we'd probably diagnose him as having dementia, since he is having visions of angels peeking in the windows.
This is one creepy assed record. She or he seems to be very excited about their death coming soon. That harpsicord reminds me of the Addams Family. I would shit if I saw angels peeking through one of my window panes. It blows me away that everybody in the Western Hemisphere used to love this record. It freaks me out a little bit.
This song was my great-grandmother's [1873-1961] favorite song in the 1950s. I remember her listening to this song the program "Your Hit Parade" in 1950s. She had recently had to move from the home she had lived in since 1890.
She would smile and keep time to the song with her walking cane.
AM Radio was coming into its own back in '54, and Rosemary and Doris Day were always on the "Air" Great memory! everyone enjoy a Classy Lady and a Classy Tune! Had lots of requests for this one on Classic Night when I was playn' hits as a DJ!
Thank you very much 78s4FR!!! I am Russian, but here in Russia is a real problem to find Rosemary Clooney on CD, and even more so on the LP 45's and 78's find quite impossible.
I'm 58 and remember this song on "Hit Parade" back in the 50s. I was a little tyker at the time (I'm guessing about 4 or 5 years old) It's really fun to hear this song again after all these years. Thanks
This is right up there with "I'll Fly Away" on my list of happy songs about dying. I wonder why it didn't occur to me when I was growing up that this is a little strange.
Wow, I haven't heard this song forever!!! I've tried to look it up on youtube b4 and anything else i could think of, and i've finally found it. I use to listen to this all the time when i was little, and it was my favorite song. My mom had a CD of this, oh my gosh it brings back so many memories for me :)
i happen to have a 6 song 78 rpm that has this song, hey there, and other songs 'hashee baba' & "naughty lady of shady lane" and others I forgot, done by other performers (this version is not on the 78 rpm) i need to find my copy
The original lyrics are about an old man preparing for death. Not a very likely subject for a pop hit. The great Rosemary Clooney has had them changed and so they don't make a whole lot of sense. She sings that the house is "getting ready to meet the saints" whereas in the Stuart Hamblen original the singer is singing about himself. When I first heard this of course as a little boy all that went over my head. It's actually a Christian sentiment about embracing the heaven to come.
The original lyrics are about an old man preparing for death. Not a very likely subject for a pop hit. The great Rosemary Clooney has had them changed and so they don't make a whole lot of sense. She sings that the house is "getting ready to meet the saints" whereas in the Stuart Hamblen original the singer is singing about himself. When I first heard this of course as a little boy all that went over my head. It's actually a Christian sentiment about embracing the heaven to come.
So, I'm only 16 but I decided that to REALLY know history, the common life, you have to know the stuff people listened to. I found this song, and I LOVE it. It's weird, I like rock. But this is really cool!!!
When I was little child I played this record at my Grandparents all the time, on a 78RPM record, on their Victrola. I seem to remember it on the Columbia red label though.
@1olrocker Me, too! This was a favorite of mine and my sister when we were small. Really great to get a chance to hear it again. Nothing like it anymore.
I love it! I have cd's that have already stopped working (can't be read by any player or my computer) yet this 55 year old record still plays just fine. So much for technology! I have over 2400 45's but not many 78's. Great video here and I love this song as well. Thanks.
Great! I haven't heard this song in over 50 years. Brings back good memories.
mfox918 4 weeks ago
One more thing... I'd be willing to bet that the PBS show, "This Old House" was named for this song.
michaeljy 1 month ago
It takes what would otherwise be a very sad story and gives it an upbeat, joyous tone. The old guy has lived a full, good life, raised a family, now feels fulfilled and is ready for a rest. BTW, that is not a harpsichord, it's an upright piano, like you see being played in every saloon that's ever been depicted in a western movie. I don't find it in any way creepy.
michaeljy 1 month ago
Rosemary Clooney was George Clooney's aunt. This is actually a gospel song, about an elderly widower now living alone, who realizes that his life is almost over, and is looking forward to the afterlife. He's too old and tired to do all the repairs the old house needs, and it doesn't matter anyway, since he's not going to be around much longer. Today we'd probably diagnose him as having dementia, since he is having visions of angels peeking in the windows.
michaeljy 1 month ago
Sounds like Therl Ravenscroft doing the bass work. He was also the voice of Tony The Tiger.
ArkRed1 1 month ago
This is one creepy assed record. She or he seems to be very excited about their death coming soon. That harpsicord reminds me of the Addams Family. I would shit if I saw angels peeking through one of my window panes. It blows me away that everybody in the Western Hemisphere used to love this record. It freaks me out a little bit.
professordumbledorf 1 month ago
the owner of this philips label. is that the same phillip who own SUN records
TheErrol1975 2 months ago
This was a big hit when I was 71, I am now 128 years old
mryjn420090 3 months ago
I love this song. I was about 10 years old when it was very popular.
washita33 10 months ago
Thank you so much for the upload! Save the good old music
alive1338 10 months ago
I absolutely love the harpsichord in this song, it is simply the best.
debiani3866 10 months ago
This song was my great-grandmother's [1873-1961] favorite song in the 1950s. I remember her listening to this song the program "Your Hit Parade" in 1950s. She had recently had to move from the home she had lived in since 1890.
She would smile and keep time to the song with her walking cane.
HistoryKrell 11 months ago
AM Radio was coming into its own back in '54, and Rosemary and Doris Day were always on the "Air" Great memory! everyone enjoy a Classy Lady and a Classy Tune! Had lots of requests for this one on Classic Night when I was playn' hits as a DJ!
RDK860 1 year ago
Thank you very much 78s4FR!!! I am Russian, but here in Russia is a real problem to find Rosemary Clooney on CD, and even more so on the LP 45's and 78's find quite impossible.
Thank you very much again!!!!
Quatarsys 1 year ago
George Clooney's aunty
stevengaunt 1 year ago
I'm 58 and remember this song on "Hit Parade" back in the 50s. I was a little tyker at the time (I'm guessing about 4 or 5 years old) It's really fun to hear this song again after all these years. Thanks
TheIrishMikeB 1 year ago
"This Ole House is getting Shakey". Surely this line was the inspiration for Shakin Stevens (often known as "Shakey") recording the song
Strawberry7Lynn 1 year ago
This is right up there with "I'll Fly Away" on my list of happy songs about dying. I wonder why it didn't occur to me when I was growing up that this is a little strange.
biensidhe 1 year ago
Wow, I haven't heard this song forever!!! I've tried to look it up on youtube b4 and anything else i could think of, and i've finally found it. I use to listen to this all the time when i was little, and it was my favorite song. My mom had a CD of this, oh my gosh it brings back so many memories for me :)
IcYLuVa 1 year ago
i happen to have a 6 song 78 rpm that has this song, hey there, and other songs 'hashee baba' & "naughty lady of shady lane" and others I forgot, done by other performers (this version is not on the 78 rpm) i need to find my copy
TEMPmichaelhansen 1 year ago
My grandmother use to sing this when I was very young (I'm not so anymore). I loved it!
ldorothy2 1 year ago
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The original lyrics are about an old man preparing for death. Not a very likely subject for a pop hit. The great Rosemary Clooney has had them changed and so they don't make a whole lot of sense. She sings that the house is "getting ready to meet the saints" whereas in the Stuart Hamblen original the singer is singing about himself. When I first heard this of course as a little boy all that went over my head. It's actually a Christian sentiment about embracing the heaven to come.
Agorante 1 year ago
The original lyrics are about an old man preparing for death. Not a very likely subject for a pop hit. The great Rosemary Clooney has had them changed and so they don't make a whole lot of sense. She sings that the house is "getting ready to meet the saints" whereas in the Stuart Hamblen original the singer is singing about himself. When I first heard this of course as a little boy all that went over my head. It's actually a Christian sentiment about embracing the heaven to come.
Agorante 1 year ago
What! No mention of the great Thurl Ravenscroft?
Agorante 1 year ago
Sweet!
I found this song in the 1954 chart @ billboardvideos.(net)
999clever 1 year ago
all i got to say is what happin to music like this muisic howdays is not like this at all
music is dead
belle2400 1 year ago
This was one of the very first 78's that I ever owned. Great song and sooo much better than most of the music that's out there today!!
zanyforclay 1 year ago
So, I'm only 16 but I decided that to REALLY know history, the common life, you have to know the stuff people listened to. I found this song, and I LOVE it. It's weird, I like rock. But this is really cool!!!
15Katrina15 1 year ago 4
Good for you, Katrina!!!
78s4FR 1 year ago
@78s4FR Good for you for attempting to understand the older generation! Loved this song when I was a little girl.
difa2ol 1 year ago
@15Katrina15 You're spot on with that first sentence, Katrina
Strawberry7Lynn 1 year ago
When I was little child I played this record at my Grandparents all the time, on a 78RPM record, on their Victrola. I seem to remember it on the Columbia red label though.
1olrocker 2 years ago
@1olrocker Me, too! This was a favorite of mine and my sister when we were small. Really great to get a chance to hear it again. Nothing like it anymore.
plaidgrandma 1 year ago
much better than shaken stevens
poacherable 2 years ago
I love it! I have cd's that have already stopped working (can't be read by any player or my computer) yet this 55 year old record still plays just fine. So much for technology! I have over 2400 45's but not many 78's. Great video here and I love this song as well. Thanks.
storrs19 2 years ago 5
You have one of the greatest 78 collections in the country.
TashkentFox 2 years ago 4
eu fui o primeiro a assistir isso no youtube. obrigado :]
tetelgostoso88 2 years ago