If you know me, then you know that I love everything oldies. I love music from Peter, Paul and Mary to Patti Page and Perry Como. I don’t think I necessarily hate modern music, but you’re not going to ever catch me listening to the “Hot 100.” I spend a lot of time with my grandparents and their tastes kind of rubbed off on me. There is a long list of artists that I could go on about, but there is only one who has my heart completely: Doris Day.
Doris Day was born in Ohio—she sings “Ohio” on her My Heart Album (it’s perfection)—on April 3rd (yes, I have her birthday memorized) a short 92 years ago. She started out as a dancer, but she is not remembered as one because a car accident ruined her hopes for that. However, while rehabilitating from the accident, she began to take voice lessons and started to become the amazing songstress we all know and love (and if you don’t know and love her, then I implore you to listen to one of her albums). Not too long after, she would go on to act in movies with legendary actors like Cary Grant, James Stewart and Rock Hudson. Despite being one of the most famous actresses in Hollywood and having two popular TV shows, Doris would retire from acting to dedicate all of her professional time to her Doris Day Animal Foundation–she is still heavily involved and active in her foundation today.
Anyway, I figured I would put together a list of my favorite songs that she sings. Though she didn’t write any of the songs, I feel like when she sings a song, it is completely hers. Most of her songs are upbeat and can cheer you up any day, but some of them are emotional and can even make you cry.
1. “Sentimental Journey”
This is Doris’s first hit and many people see it as the song for the whole of decade of the 1940s. The song tugs on the heartstrings, especially for those who are missing home or a loved one.
2. “Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)”
This song, which Doris performed in Alfred Hitchcock’s "The Man Who Knew Too Much,"won an Academy Award. This is Doris’s most famous song, but she actually wasn’t too fond of it to begin with. The song is fun to listen to, but it also has a pretty neat message–we are essentially told not to worry about the future so much and enjoy life as it comes to us.
3. “Secret Love”
The hit song from a hit movie ("Calamity Jane"). The song is perfect for the romantic and tells the story of someone who is struggling with coming out with her love for someone.
4. “Pillow Talk”
Doris was nominated for an Academy Award for her classic performance in "Pillow Talk," but the title song is pretty good too. It’s an upbeat song that tells a funny tale about someone who just talks to their pillow.
5. “Everybody Loves A Lover”
This song is sung by a lover who loves everybody and is loved by everybody. I would suggest listening to this song when you are feeling on top of the world, because the character in this song certainly is.
6. “If I Give My Heart To You”
This slow song tells the story of someone who is hesitant to give themselves completely, but is deeply in love. Of course, I have given myself completely to Doris. I’ll never look back.
7. “When I Fall In Love”
Another classic romance song. Doris was the first to make this standard a hit.
8. “My Buddy”
This song is about yearning to be with someone you miss very much. It’s about missing someone you see in everything you do and think about all the time. A relatable situation for sure, but it sounds really good too.
9. “Blue Skies”
Doris sang this song in the biopic “Love Me or Leave Me” with James Cagney. It’s another upbeat song with an uplifting message. I love to listen to this song on an especially good day, as that is what the song is essentially about.
10. "If I Can Help Somebody”
I love gospel music and to know that I still don’t own Doris Day’s gospel album kills me. This isn’t one of her classics, but this song is one of my favorite gospel songs and Doris makes it that much better. The instrumentals and her vocals in this song match perfectly. It’s just great.
11. “It’s Magic”
The best for last? I actually didn’t first hear this hit song sung by Doris, but by my grandmother. My love for Doris all started with her. She would sit beside me and hold my hand as I laid in bed. Now, as she struggles with her Alzheimer’s disease, I occasionally sit beside her and sing it with her. She forgets where she is and who people are, but when I start the lyrics to “It’s Magic,” she grabs my hand and sings it with me. So, when I am especially missing my grandmother, I’ll turn on that song and listen to Doris’s version, as it brings me back to those nights with my grandmother.
