I can’t quite imagine what it wouid be like to realize you’ve written one of the most outstanding songs ever, but I want to express my gratitude that she did.
Cindy also wrote Oh gentle shepherd and the night watch along with a song named “Oh beloved Enemy” for Billy Grahams short film “Mr. Texas” released 1951 , I’ve yet to find it to watch
Thanks for the insight into the writing of this classic...I first became familiar with the song when Kenny Loggins recorded it in 1977 on his Celebrate Me Home album....I have heard many great versions since, including the iconic version by the late, great Ray Charles. It is a song about unrequited love...unfortunately, I have had so many situations in my life, even today, where I want to sing this to someone special who doesn't know me.
I’ve never heard this before. I totally believe her. Who knew that so many people would understand and relate to this song. Such a beautiful story on how this song came to be. I think everyone related to this song, there’s always that someone, somewhere who slipped away without ever knowing the deep feelings someone had for them. I’m 76 and at 15 I felt those very words and still do this very day. It’s one of those songs that understands and feels what you’re feeling…..even though it doesn’t know you…..❤❤❤
I love this video. I watch it often. When Eddy Arnold had grown old, he sang "You Don't Know Me" on a TV show and the video made it to UA-cam. I read some comments by younger folks to the effect that old men shouldn't sing a modern love song like that one. Little do they know that Eddy Arnold conceived the idea for this song written by Cindy Walker and had a hit recording of it way back in 1955.
What a lovely recounting of what went into the creation of this great, great song. I know what it's like to hit a wall during the creative process, and then you revisit it a bit later and find something that works some time after you started. I was introduced to the song by Ray Charles when I was twelve or so, and it remains among my favorite songs throughout all these years. This song is just simply very beautiful.
WHAT an endearing, wonderful talent she was! Great songwriter of real country music--and, as an added bonus: she sure was pretty way back when! Classy, cool woman!
Notice how she says"I'm up in my studio and here comes this song", "and then it says". I have heard song writers say that they did not write the songs, that they wrote themselves and I think that this is exactly what she means. The song was there and it just revealed itself to her. It takes a special kind of genius to "reveal" these kind of songs. God bless Cindy Walker. And one other thing, look at the pictures of her when she was young. She was drop dead gorgeous! She could have been a movie star if she had wished to.
James, funny thing that I should stumble upon your post here about my favoright Texas songwriter, bar none. Good Lord 'n a quarter, that gal had the gift of stubbornly stickin' with somethin 'and I always appreciated and respected that about her, as I've heard more than one other recollection of how she composed some of her songs. Many had her life experience linkages as direct influences. I'll ganble and say that Ms. Cindy was the most prolific of all Texas country-music writers, I mean she wrote a ton of them. I used to favor myself as some kid of amateurish songwriter and usually about Christmas/New Years time I'd get into a sentimental mood and set back and start to hummin' lookin' for a rhythm once I had got a chorus down and was satisfied with it . I'd be scratchin' little thoughts and phrasings down on my lined yellow pad as they came to me. Well one of my first experiences was long ago, back in about ''51, and I had got this bee a-buzzin' in the old bonnet as an opening line for a song, but I hadn't come up with a title and it was killin' me. The opening line (I kid you not) that I had composed was "Please take me in your arms and hold me, While I'm holding you so close to my heart....". And that was it until I heard Eddy Arnold, later that year, sing his new release of Cindy Walker's 1950 composition of her writing hit of "Take me in your arms and hold me." . I was home llstenin' to the old floor- model Stromberg-Carlson radio that we stiil used as a leftover from the then just ended WWII era and to say I was thunderstruck was an understatement. I recall jumping up and ranting that 'Somebody owes me royalties…' (or very similar) until my Mother came in and calmed me down and brought me back to reality. Reminds me to go to my old storage box area and dig out my old songwriting pad. Maybe 60+ years later I can actually finish a song and hump it to one of the few traditional country-music artists still going strong. And on that other little subject. You're absolutely correct. Ms. Cindy was in her heyday, VERY EASY ON THE EYES as we used to say back then. Later Jim>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
James, you make me think of what my (late) mum always said: "Composers write down the music God lets them hear." I did not take that too seriously, until ... I read an article that quoted one my favorite composers, Sergiei Rachmaninow. He said (I go from memory): " I simply write down what I hear within myself. " These mums tend to be right on so many things, after all. BTW, happy 2020!
@@doctorhugo Something brought me back here today, having heard another version of this song which caused me to search it out on UA-cam. I had forgotten I had watched this before and as I started to post a reply about the Muse that struck Cindy when writing this song I saw that I had already posted what I wanted to say 4 years ago! I just saw your reply. Well said sir. I applaud you for even attempting to write a song. As much as I appreciate the craft, I couldn't write a song if my life depended on it.
@@JamesSterling Funny thing...song-writing. As I retired (5 years ago @ age 77) and have more free time and health considerations grow, I've started to notice that the philosophical-self within me has gotten more observant. With Mile Marker #82 looming-up I sort of pause from time-to-time and take a look back over my shoulder and swing the mental searchlight about. I'm blessed with a fine long-term memory and so once focused-in, locking down on a point-of-interest is easy.. During any day, I'll see and/or hear something that INSTANTLY rings my bell and no -matter where I am I'll scrawl down the thought/phrase of reference/whatever. Later on I'll pick a quiet time such as when the wife (of now 60 years) is preoccupied with some boob-tube foolishness and I can shift into first-gear and start the roll out of my homebound Rest Area. That is the start of all the creative process. Never was really motivated to actually publish a song, BUT as the years accumulate at a seemingly faster rate I realize that the rest of my journey may well be shorter than I've figured on. One regret I have is that my lack of gut-instinct motivation had two works that would have fit an older and mature Ray Pride so well. Think that I'll get, my *ss in high gear before Gene Watson, my second-choice for those tunes drifts away!
That's how it happens. I've had the experience a few times. It kinda feels like you're tuning in to a song that already exists. A bit like turning the dial on a radio until you hit the frequency that a station is broadcasting on. And you gotta get right on it, immediately... grab whatever is available at the moment to write with because it comes and then it goes. You gotta capture it before it's gone.
What kind of genius does it take to just come up with lyrics and music like that? Brilliant and amazing song and great song writer. Eddie Arnold was my late father's favorite singer.
I got to know her work through Roy Orbison's music. Cindy wrote In Dreams and this was on the B side. It has been recorded by a vast number of artists, my favourite being Ray Charles, although the Elvis version is lovely, too. It had a renaissance when it was on the soundtrack for Ground Hog Day. She is greatly underrated and her songs will endure for ever.
I love her southern accent and the way that the memories still bring tears to her eyes. It makes me wonder what the rest of the story would have been with the man who couldn't speak his mind and the woman who looked like she had found love.
God Given Talent !!! Wow, what a Sweet Hearted Lady ! 😢 RIP She is singing in heaven now with the angels ...Writing praise songs to the Father around the throne of the Living God 🎶🎵🎶 .
Some of the song may have come from divine inspiration, but the bridge came from Oscar Hammerstein's lyrics in "If I Loved You". Compare "Afraid and shy, I let my chance go by, the chance you might have loved me too" with "Longing to tell you, but afraid and shy, I'd let my golden chances pass me by".
A legend. Some of her most successful compositions and their most prominent versions (among hundreds of covers) include Bubbles in My Beer by Bob Wills; Distant Drums by Jim Reeves; Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream) by Roy Orbison; I Don’t Care by Webb Pierce and Ricky Skaggs; In the Misty Moonlight by Jim Reeves; and You Don’t Know Me by Ray Charles and Mickey Gilley.
Cindy and Eddie wrote one of the greatest songs ever !!!! ONE OF THE GREATEST SONGS EVER WRITTEN.. CINDY WALKER CAME UP WITH SOMETHING SO SENSATIONAL !!! GOD BLESS HER !!!
Cindy recorded this song also. I heard her version on YT one day and was amazed at her vocals. Also, if you look at the writing credits for the song, it lists many others, including Ray Charles, Burt Bacharach, David Byrne, and others. So, I'm confused on where the others factored in on this. I'm guessing the music attachment to the lyrics?
I was just listening to Wil Maring and Robert Bowling doing this song and wondering who wrote it, then this popped up on my Facebook page. Beautiful song. The first version I ever heard was by Ray Charles, but I've never heard a version I didn't like. If you never wrote another song Cindy, you've earned your place in the songwriters' Hall Of Fame with this one. Thanks Duck Baker for posting this on Facebook.
Eddy Arnold was a class act. Mixed sound for him several times. One of the few musicians that don't carry their own audio monitor engineer that actually tips.
This song was referenced by Senator Marsha Blackburn at the confirmation hearings for Amy Coney Barrett. So I listened to the song by Eddy Arnold and really enjoyed it. Now I find this video and it adds more depth and humanity.
It's like the angels came down and put the song in her head. How wonderful she did this interview. . . she's gone now. But at least we know the story of the song. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cindy_Walker
Marty Robbins first song that he recorded that wasn’t his was Cindy song called “Lorelei.’ Sad that he never recorded any more of her classics as she wrote some great songs like ‘Not That I Care’, ‘Jim I Wore A Tie Today’, ‘Gringo’s Guitar’ and ‘Distant Drums.’ Sorry that these old brain cells can’t recall all the others and I don’t like to rely on Google all the time!
Read the list of songs she wrote, it is an incredible list. I got to know her work through In Dreams, which was recorded by Roy Orbison. You Don't Know Me was on the B side. She is hugely underrated.
I can’t quite imagine what it wouid be like to realize you’ve written one of the most outstanding songs ever, but I want to express my gratitude that she did.
One of the most beautiful songs ever written
She interviews like she wrote, So sincere . Thank You Cindy
yes... and, is it just me who feels this way or has that kind of sincerity become more scarce than it has ever been?
Cindy also wrote Oh gentle shepherd and the night watch along with a song named “Oh beloved Enemy” for Billy Grahams short film “Mr. Texas” released 1951 , I’ve yet to find it to watch
Still touched her by the words that have touched us all.. thats what great writing can do....Thank you Cindy Walker...
boy when she chokes up...i do too...the artists are everything to this world.
One of the best songs ever written.
She truly had a gift from God. What an amazing woman. I love that line, "Let it cook"...
All time great song, and most of us have been there
Thanks for the insight into the writing of this classic...I first became familiar with the song when Kenny Loggins recorded it in 1977 on his Celebrate Me Home album....I have heard many great versions since, including the iconic version by the late, great Ray Charles. It is a song about unrequited love...unfortunately, I have had so many situations in my life, even today, where I want to sing this to someone special who doesn't know me.
That is so beautiful how she tells this story.
I’ve never heard this before. I totally believe her. Who knew that so many people would understand and relate to this song. Such a beautiful story on how this song came to be. I think everyone related to this song, there’s always that someone, somewhere who slipped away without ever knowing the deep feelings someone had for them.
I’m 76 and at 15 I felt those very words and still do this very day. It’s one of those songs that understands and feels what you’re feeling…..even though it doesn’t know you…..❤❤❤
My favorite. Thank God for Eddy Arnold for giving her the idea for this song. I get teary eyed each time I hear it. I love it no matter who sings it.
Listen to Elvis sing this song, it is beautiful and moving.
Beautiful song
I love this video. I watch it often. When Eddy Arnold had grown old, he sang "You Don't Know Me" on a TV show and the video made it to UA-cam. I read some comments by younger folks to the effect that old men shouldn't sing a modern love song like that one. Little do they know that Eddy Arnold conceived the idea for this song written by Cindy Walker and had a hit recording of it way back in 1955.
That song makes me cry also. And listening to her gets me choked up.
it is a fabulous tune. a classic.
What a lovely recounting of what went into the creation of this great, great song. I know what it's like to hit a wall during the creative process, and then you revisit it a bit later and find something that works some time after you started. I was introduced to the song by Ray Charles when I was twelve or so, and it remains among my favorite songs throughout all these years. This song is just simply very beautiful.
One of the greatest of all time. What a lovely lady.
Very touching. Pure emotion backed by talent
What a great story and a wonderful song. Quality never fades.
Such a very likeable woman.
Always enjoy how classic songwriters came up with their gems.
WHAT an endearing, wonderful talent she was! Great songwriter of real country music--and, as an added bonus: she sure was pretty way back when! Classy, cool woman!
The bridge is one of the most beautiful in country music.
Notice how she says"I'm up in my studio and here comes this song", "and then it says". I have heard song writers say that they did not write the songs, that they wrote themselves and I think that this is exactly what she means. The song was there and it just revealed itself to her. It takes a special kind of genius to "reveal" these kind of songs. God bless Cindy Walker.
And one other thing, look at the pictures of her when she was young. She was drop dead gorgeous! She could have been a movie star if she had wished to.
James, funny thing that I should stumble upon your post here about my favoright Texas songwriter, bar none. Good Lord 'n a quarter, that gal had the gift of stubbornly stickin' with somethin 'and I always appreciated and respected that about her, as I've heard more than one other recollection of how she composed some of her songs. Many had her life experience linkages as direct influences. I'll ganble and say that Ms. Cindy was the most prolific of all Texas country-music writers, I mean she wrote a ton of them.
I used to favor myself as some kid of amateurish songwriter and usually about Christmas/New Years time I'd get into a sentimental mood and set back and start to hummin' lookin' for a rhythm once I had got a chorus down and was satisfied with it . I'd be scratchin' little thoughts and phrasings down on my lined yellow pad as they came to me.
Well one of my first experiences was long ago, back in about ''51, and I had got this bee a-buzzin' in the old bonnet as an opening line for a song, but I hadn't come up with a title and it was killin' me. The opening line (I kid you not) that I had composed was "Please take me in your arms and hold me, While I'm holding you so close to my heart....".
And that was it until I heard Eddy Arnold, later that year, sing his new release of Cindy Walker's 1950 composition of her writing hit of "Take me in your arms and hold me." . I was home llstenin' to the old floor- model Stromberg-Carlson radio that we stiil used as a leftover from the then just ended WWII era and to say I was thunderstruck was an understatement. I recall jumping up and ranting that 'Somebody owes me royalties…' (or very similar) until my Mother came in and calmed me down and brought me back to reality. Reminds me to go to my old storage box area and dig out my old songwriting pad. Maybe 60+ years later I can actually finish a song and hump it to one of the few traditional country-music artists still going strong.
And on that other little subject. You're absolutely correct. Ms. Cindy was in her heyday, VERY EASY ON THE EYES as we used to say back then.
Later Jim>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
James, you make me think of what my (late) mum always said: "Composers write down the music God lets them hear." I did not take that too seriously, until ... I read an article that quoted one my favorite composers, Sergiei Rachmaninow. He said (I go from memory): " I simply write down what I hear within myself. " These mums tend to be right on so many things, after all. BTW, happy 2020!
@@doctorhugo Something brought me back here today, having heard another version of this song which caused me to search it out on UA-cam. I had forgotten I had watched this before and as I started to post a reply about the Muse that struck Cindy when writing this song I saw that I had already posted what I wanted to say 4 years ago! I just saw your reply. Well said sir. I applaud you for even attempting to write a song. As much as I appreciate the craft, I couldn't write a song if my life depended on it.
@@JamesSterling Funny thing...song-writing. As I retired (5 years ago @ age 77) and have more free time and health considerations grow, I've started to notice that the philosophical-self within me has gotten more observant. With Mile Marker #82 looming-up I sort of pause from time-to-time and take a look back over my shoulder and swing the mental searchlight about. I'm blessed with a fine long-term memory and so once focused-in, locking down on a point-of-interest is easy.. During any day, I'll see and/or hear something that INSTANTLY rings my bell and no -matter where I am I'll scrawl down the thought/phrase of reference/whatever.
Later on I'll pick a quiet time such as when the wife (of now 60 years) is preoccupied with some boob-tube foolishness and I can shift into first-gear and start the roll out of my homebound Rest Area. That is the start of all the creative process. Never was really motivated to actually publish a song, BUT as the years accumulate at a seemingly faster rate I realize that the rest of my journey may well be shorter than I've figured on. One regret I have is that my lack of gut-instinct motivation had two works that would have fit an older and mature Ray Pride so well.
Think that I'll get, my *ss in high gear before Gene Watson, my second-choice for those tunes drifts away!
That's how it happens. I've had the experience a few times. It kinda feels like you're tuning in to a song that already exists. A bit like turning the dial on a radio until you hit the frequency that a station is broadcasting on. And you gotta get right on it, immediately... grab whatever is available at the moment to write with because it comes and then it goes. You gotta capture it before it's gone.
I'm so captivated by her. Immense talent!
What kind of genius does it take to just come up with lyrics and music like that? Brilliant and amazing song and great song writer. Eddie Arnold was my late father's favorite singer.
I know exactly what she means. The words sometimes just come like that. I'm a writer, not a very successful one, but still a writer.
Thank you for posting. This song meant so much to me "way back when". It's good to hear the background story from the writer.
Great interview - Cindy is fabulous.
Great story, great song.
One of his best Cindy! Thanks for for helping write it!!!!!
one of the all time greats. so blessed to have known her and her precious mom.
Donna Frost Would you be willing to share some stories about her with me? I would love to hear them.
Me too!
A truly great song!
Agree 100% the song is one of the best composition ever written
My favorite song writer.
That’s genius personified!
I got to know her work through Roy Orbison's music. Cindy wrote In Dreams and this was on the B side. It has been recorded by a vast number of artists, my favourite being Ray Charles, although the Elvis version is lovely, too. It had a renaissance when it was on the soundtrack for Ground Hog Day. She is greatly underrated and her songs will endure for ever.
What a wonderful story. Thank you, GrammyFoundation.
Timeless song. Thanks, Cindy & Eddie!
I love her southern accent and the way that the memories still bring tears to her eyes. It makes me wonder what the rest of the story would have been with the man who couldn't speak his mind and the woman who looked like she had found love.
Wow! She's amazing!
James Taylor just said he wished he had written it! A heartbreak song 💔
My precious baby darling Cindy. You are my songwriting Angel.
You could tell Ms. Walker was QUITE FOND of Eddy Arnold. She was such a GIFTED 'Writer'!!!! Rest In Eternal Peace Ms. Walker!
Writing this and also "In Dreams," that is a fabulous career right there
This will be the song I play at my Daughter's Wedding for our Daughter/Father dance.
Wow! Straight from heaven. that song is so spiritual.
God Given Talent !!! Wow, what a Sweet Hearted Lady ! 😢 RIP
She is singing in heaven now with the angels ...Writing praise songs to the Father around the throne of the Living God 🎶🎵🎶 .
Brilliant!!
Some of the song may have come from divine inspiration, but the bridge came from Oscar Hammerstein's lyrics in "If I Loved You". Compare "Afraid and shy, I let my chance go by, the chance you might have loved me too" with "Longing to tell you, but afraid and shy, I'd let my golden chances pass me by".
It may have been stated before it was written, but at least since Ecclesiastes 1: 9 it has been known that there is nothing new under the sun.
A legend. Some of her most successful compositions and their most prominent versions (among hundreds of covers) include Bubbles in My Beer by Bob Wills; Distant Drums by Jim Reeves; Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream) by Roy Orbison; I Don’t Care by Webb Pierce and Ricky Skaggs; In the Misty Moonlight by Jim Reeves; and You Don’t Know Me by Ray Charles and Mickey Gilley.
Cindy and Eddie wrote one of the greatest songs ever !!!!
ONE OF THE GREATEST SONGS EVER WRITTEN..
CINDY WALKER CAME UP WITH SOMETHING SO SENSATIONAL !!!
GOD BLESS HER !!!
Cindy recorded this song also. I heard her version on YT one day and was amazed at her vocals. Also, if you look at the writing credits for the song, it lists many others, including Ray Charles, Burt Bacharach, David Byrne, and others. So, I'm confused on where the others factored in on this. I'm guessing the music attachment to the lyrics?
i love this song...although the person who first played it for me broke my heart......but it is so bloody beautiful
I was just listening to Wil Maring and Robert Bowling doing this song and wondering who wrote it, then this popped up on my Facebook page. Beautiful song. The first version I ever heard was by Ray Charles, but I've never heard a version I didn't like. If you never wrote another song Cindy, you've earned your place in the songwriters' Hall Of Fame with this one. Thanks Duck Baker for posting this on Facebook.
Great story
Gold!
Genius, nothing less.
Willie's album of Cindy Walker's songs is a beautiful tribute where voice and lyrics make a wonderful marriage.
Ref?
@@ardwych4881 The album is You Don't Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker. www.amazon.com/You-Dont-Know-Me-Walker/dp/B000E1NX4K
Eddy Arnold was a class act. Mixed sound for him several times. One of the few musicians that don't carry their own audio monitor engineer that actually tips.
Oh...thank you! Please share more stories...if you worked with Mr. Arnold, there must be some treasures in that memory trove..
I missed meeting Eddie Arnold in Chattanooga when I was playing at the Fifth Quarter. Shoots
A beautiful women. What a talent.
This song was referenced by Senator Marsha Blackburn at the confirmation hearings for Amy Coney Barrett. So I listened to the song by Eddy Arnold and really enjoyed it. Now I find this video and it adds more depth and humanity.
WOOW..........Great story....I know many sings that wonderful song, but my favorite version is the one with Elvis Presley
Charlie Rich did a superb version of this song on his last album- Pictures and Paintings.
ЭТО ТАК ТАК ТАК И ЕЩЕ РАЗ ТАААК!!!!! ПОТРЯСАЮЩАЯ ПЕСНЯ!!!СПАСИБО ТЕБЕ СОЛНЦЕ ТЫ НАШЕ!!!БЕЗ ТАКИХ КАК ТЫ ЖИЗНЬ СКУЧНА И ОТВРАТИТЕЛЬНА валида лида
Loved Ray’s version
"Let it cook"
It's like the angels came down and put the song in her head. How wonderful she did this interview. . . she's gone now. But at least we know the story of the song.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cindy_Walker
Wow
Marty Robbins first song that he recorded that wasn’t his was Cindy song called “Lorelei.’ Sad that he never recorded any more of her classics as she wrote some great songs like ‘Not That I Care’, ‘Jim I Wore A Tie Today’, ‘Gringo’s Guitar’ and ‘Distant Drums.’ Sorry that these old brain cells can’t recall all the others and I don’t like to rely on Google all the time!
This lady wrote this beautiful song? You're kidding me.
Read the list of songs she wrote, it is an incredible list. I got to know her work through In Dreams, which was recorded by Roy Orbison. You Don't Know Me was on the B side. She is hugely underrated.
Nona Evans wrote this song in 1956, Cindy was just one of many who sang it.
Er, no - Cindy and Eddy Arnold did.
Elvis did sing that song the best as he did with all his songs ❤😊
Ray Charles killed it
Skeeter Davis claimed she wrote " you don't know me " with Eddy Arnold. Guess Eddy had a lot of collaborators.
Jerry Vale did the best job on this
The word genius is truly overused - but this? Come on.
Elvis sang it the best!!
What can I say there are lots of clueless men in this world.