Gloria Shayne Baker
Encyclopedia
Gloria Shayne Baker was an American
composer
and songwriter
best known for composing the "Do You Hear What I Hear?
" Christmas carol
in 1962 with her then husband, Noël Regney
.
, on September 4, 1923. She changed the spelling of her last name
from Shain to Shayne early on in her career for professional reasons. She earned her bachelor's degree
from the Boston University
School of Music. She moved to New York City
during the 1940s, where she worked as a pianist performing on demos and in front of live audiences. She also arranged music for composers such as Stephen Sondheim
and Irving Berlin
.
Baker met her first husband, French
born Noël Regney
, while playing piano
at a New York City hotel in 1951. Regney and Baker would later write "Do You Hear What I Hear?" together as collaborators. They were married the same year that they met. The couple divorced in 1973. Regney died in 2002.
Shayne Baker married her second husband, William Baker, in 1973. He died in 2001.
", which was first performed by singer Bobby Vinton
. Shayne Baker and Regney also wrote "Sweet Little Darlin'" which was performed by Jo Stafford
.
Shayne Baker also enjoyed a successful career when not collaborating with Regney. She composed the lyrics and music for "Goodbye Cruel World
", which was recorded by James Darren
in 1961.Shayne Baker also worked with Mary Candy and Eddie Deane to write "The Men in My Little Girl’s Life", which was performed by Mike Douglas.Shayne Baker also co-wrote "Almost There", which was recorded by Andy Williams
, with writer Jerry Keller.
Shayne Baker accompanied tenor, Jan Peerce
, during her later life.
" was written in October 1962 by Shayne Baker and Regney during the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis
. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, the United States
and the Soviet Union
confronted each other over the placement of Soviet missiles in newly Communist Cuba
. "Do You Hear What I Hear?" was written by Shayne Baker and Regney as a plea for peace.
Unusually in this instance, Regney wrote the lyrics and Shayne Baker composed the music for "Do You Hear What I Hear?". Usually it was Shayne Baker who wrote the lyrics for their songs while Regney composed the music.
"Do You Hear What I Hear?" was released shortly after Thanksgiving
in 1962. It was first recorded by Harry Simeone Chorale and sold more than a quarter-million copies during the 1962 holiday season. Bing Crosby
recorded the song in 1963, which made it a worldwide hit. The song has since been recorded and performed by hundreds of artists including Pat Boone
, Kenny G
, Mahalia Jackson
, Glen Campbell
, Perry Como
and Johnny Mathis
.
, of lung cancer
on March 6, 2008, at the age of 84.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
best known for composing the "Do You Hear What I Hear?
Do You Hear What I Hear?
"Do You Hear What I Hear?" is a Christmas song written in October 1962 with lyrics by Noël Regney and music by Gloria Shayne Baker. The pair were married at the time, and wrote it as a plea for peace during the Cuban Missile Crisis...
" Christmas carol
Christmas carol
A Christmas carol is a carol whose lyrics are on the theme of Christmas or the winter season in general and which are traditionally sung in the period before Christmas.-History:...
in 1962 with her then husband, Noël Regney
Noel Regney
Noël Regney , World War II veteran and French songwriter, composed the Christmas standard "Do You Hear What I Hear?" with his then-wife Gloria Shayne Baker in 1962. Originally from Alsace, France, he moved to New York City and then eventually Connecticut, where he lived out the remainder of his life...
.
Early life
Baker was born as Gloria Adele Shain in Brookline, MassachusettsBrookline, Massachusetts
Brookline is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States, which borders on the cities of Boston and Newton. As of the 2010 census, the population of the town was 58,732.-Etymology:...
, on September 4, 1923. She changed the spelling of her last name
Last Name
"Last Name" is the title of a song composed by country singer Carrie Underwood, Hillary Lindsey and Luke Laird. It is the third single from Underwood's second studio album, Carnival Ride. It was released in the United States on April 7, 2008, by which point the song had already charted...
from Shain to Shayne early on in her career for professional reasons. She earned her bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
from the Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
School of Music. She moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
during the 1940s, where she worked as a pianist performing on demos and in front of live audiences. She also arranged music for composers such as Stephen Sondheim
Stephen Sondheim
Stephen Joshua Sondheim is an American composer and lyricist for stage and film. He is the winner of an Academy Award, multiple Tony Awards including the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, multiple Grammy Awards, a Pulitzer Prize and the Laurence Olivier Award...
and Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin was an American composer and lyricist of Jewish heritage, widely considered one of the greatest songwriters in American history.His first hit song, "Alexander's Ragtime Band", became world famous...
.
Baker met her first husband, French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
born Noël Regney
Noel Regney
Noël Regney , World War II veteran and French songwriter, composed the Christmas standard "Do You Hear What I Hear?" with his then-wife Gloria Shayne Baker in 1962. Originally from Alsace, France, he moved to New York City and then eventually Connecticut, where he lived out the remainder of his life...
, while playing piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
at a New York City hotel in 1951. Regney and Baker would later write "Do You Hear What I Hear?" together as collaborators. They were married the same year that they met. The couple divorced in 1973. Regney died in 2002.
Shayne Baker married her second husband, William Baker, in 1973. He died in 2001.
Songwriting
Shayne Baker and Regney collaborated on a number of famous songs. Shayne Baker usually composed the lyrics for their songs, while Regney composed the music. Among the most well known songs written by the couple was "Rain Rain Go AwayRain Rain Go Away
"Rain Rain Go Away" is a popular English language nursery rhyme. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 19096.-Lyrics:There are many versions and variations of this rhyming couplet. The most common modern version of is:-Origins:...
", which was first performed by singer Bobby Vinton
Bobby Vinton
Bobby Vinton is an American pop music singer of Polish origin. In pop music circles, he became known as "The Polish Prince".-Early life:...
. Shayne Baker and Regney also wrote "Sweet Little Darlin'" which was performed by Jo Stafford
Jo Stafford
Jo Elizabeth Stafford was an American singer of traditional pop music and jazz standards and occasional actress whose career ran from the late 1930s to the early 1960s...
.
Shayne Baker also enjoyed a successful career when not collaborating with Regney. She composed the lyrics and music for "Goodbye Cruel World
Goodbye Cruel World (James Darren song)
"Goodbye Cruel World" is a song written by Gloria Shayne Baker, who also wrote the well-known Christmas carol, "Do You Hear What I Hear?" and several songs for singer Lesley Gore. The most famous recording of this song is by James Darren. Released as a single in 1961, Darren scored his first top...
", which was recorded by James Darren
James Darren
James William Ercolani , known by his stage name James Darren, is an American television and film actor, television director, and singer.-Career:...
in 1961.Shayne Baker also worked with Mary Candy and Eddie Deane to write "The Men in My Little Girl’s Life", which was performed by Mike Douglas.Shayne Baker also co-wrote "Almost There", which was recorded by Andy Williams
Andy Williams
Howard Andrew "Andy" Williams is an American singer who has recorded 18 Gold- and three Platinum-certified albums. He hosted The Andy Williams Show, a TV variety show, from 1962 to 1971, as well as numerous television specials, and owns his own theater, the Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri,...
, with writer Jerry Keller.
Shayne Baker accompanied tenor, Jan Peerce
Jan Peerce
Jan Peerce was an American operatic tenor. Peerce was an accomplished performer on the operatic and Broadway concert stages, in solo recitals, and as a recording artist. He is the father of film director Larry Peerce....
, during her later life.
"Do You Hear What I Hear?"
The Christmas carol, "Do You Hear What I Hear?Do You Hear What I Hear?
"Do You Hear What I Hear?" is a Christmas song written in October 1962 with lyrics by Noël Regney and music by Gloria Shayne Baker. The pair were married at the time, and wrote it as a plea for peace during the Cuban Missile Crisis...
" was written in October 1962 by Shayne Baker and Regney during the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a confrontation among the Soviet Union, Cuba and the United States in October 1962, during the Cold War...
. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
confronted each other over the placement of Soviet missiles in newly Communist Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. "Do You Hear What I Hear?" was written by Shayne Baker and Regney as a plea for peace.
Unusually in this instance, Regney wrote the lyrics and Shayne Baker composed the music for "Do You Hear What I Hear?". Usually it was Shayne Baker who wrote the lyrics for their songs while Regney composed the music.
"Do You Hear What I Hear?" was released shortly after Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving (United States)
Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, is a holiday celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday in November. It has officially been an annual tradition since 1863, when, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving to be celebrated on Thursday,...
in 1962. It was first recorded by Harry Simeone Chorale and sold more than a quarter-million copies during the 1962 holiday season. Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation....
recorded the song in 1963, which made it a worldwide hit. The song has since been recorded and performed by hundreds of artists including Pat Boone
Pat Boone
Charles Eugene "Pat" Boone is an American singer, actor and writer who has been a successful pop singer in the United States during the 1950s and early 1960s. He covered black artists' songs and sold more copies than his black counterparts...
, Kenny G
Kenny G
Kenneth Bruce Gorelick , better known by his stage name Kenny G, is an American, adult contemporary and smooth jazz saxophonist. His fourth album, Duotones, brought him breakthrough success in 1986...
, Mahalia Jackson
Mahalia Jackson
Mahalia Jackson – January 27, 1972) was an African-American gospel singer. Possessing a powerful contralto voice, she was referred to as "The Queen of Gospel"...
, Glen Campbell
Glen Campbell
Glen Travis Campbell is an American country music singer, guitarist, television host and occasional actor. He is best known for a series of hits in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as for hosting a variety show called The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour on CBS television.During his 50 years in show...
, Perry Como
Perry Como
Pierino Ronald "Perry" Como was an American singer and television personality. During a career spanning more than half a century he recorded exclusively for the RCA Victor label after signing with them in 1943. "Mr...
and Johnny Mathis
Johnny Mathis
John Royce "Johnny" Mathis is an American singer of popular music. Starting his career with singles of standards, he became highly popular as an album artist, with several dozen of his albums achieving gold or platinum status, and 73 making the Billboard charts...
.
Death
Gloria Shayne Baker died at her home in Stamford, ConnecticutStamford, Connecticut
Stamford is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 122,643, making it the fourth largest city in the state and the eighth largest city in New England...
, of lung cancer
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the lung in a process called metastasis into nearby tissue and, eventually, into other parts of the body. Most cancers that start in lung, known as primary...
on March 6, 2008, at the age of 84.