Gloria Shayne Baker

Gloria Shayne Baker (September 4, 1923 – March 6, 2008) 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.^[1]

Early life

Baker was born as Gloria Adele Shain in Brookline, Massachusetts, on September 4, 1923. Born to a Jewish family, daughter of Attorney Mark Shain and Professor Rose Wies Shain, she grew up next door to Joseph and Rose Kennedy and their children, including John F. Kennedy. She began her music career as part of a singing trio, The Shain Sisters, alongside her older sisters, Esther and Thelma.^[1] She changed the spelling of her last name from Shain to Shayne early on in her career for professional reasons.^[1] She earned her bachelor's degree from the Boston University School of Music.^[1] She moved to New York City during the 1940s, where she worked as a pianist performing on demos and in front of live audiences.^[2] She also arranged music for composers such as Stephen Sondheim and Irving Berlin.^[2]

Shayne met her first husband, French born Noël Regney, while playing piano at a New York City hotel in 1951.^[2] Regney and Shayne would later write "Do You Hear What I Hear?" together as collaborators. They were married the same year that they met.^[1] The couple divorced in 1973.^[2] Regney died in 2002.^[1]

Shayne married her second husband, William Baker, in 1973.^[2] He died in 2001.^[2]

Songwriting

Shayne and Regney collaborated on a number of famous songs. Shayne usually composed the lyrics for their songs, while Regney composed the music.^[2] Among the most well known songs written by the couple was "Rain Rain Go Away", which was first performed by singer Bobby Vinton.^[2] Shayne and Regney also wrote "Sweet Little Darlin'" which was performed by Jo Stafford.^[2] and "Another Go Around," most notably sung by Perry Como and Doris Day.

Shayne 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.^[1][2] Shayne also worked with Mary Candy and Eddie Deane to write "The Men in My Little Girl’s Life", which was performed by Mike Douglas.^[1] Shayne also co-wrote "Almost There", which was recorded by Andy Williams, with writer Jerry Keller.^[1][2]

Shayne Baker accompanied tenor, Jan Peerce, during her later life.^[1]

"Do You Hear What I Hear?"

The Christmas carol, "Do You Hear What I Hear?" was written in October 1962 by Shayne and Regney during the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis.^[2] 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 and Regney as a plea for peace.^[1]

Unusually in this instance, Regney wrote the lyrics and Shayne composed the music for "Do You Hear What I Hear?".^[1] Usually it was Shayne who wrote the lyrics for their songs while Regney composed the music.^[1][2]

"Do You Hear What I Hear?" was released shortly after Thanksgiving in 1962.^[2] It was first recorded by Harry Simeone Chorale and sold more than a quarter-million copies during the 1962 holiday season.^[2] Bing Crosby recorded the song in 1963, which made it a worldwide hit.^[2] The song has since been recorded and performed by hundreds of artists including Pat Boone, Kenny G, Mahalia Jackson, Glen Campbell, Whitney Houston, Perry Como and Johnny Mathis.^[1]

Death

Gloria Shayne Baker died at her home in Stamford, Connecticut, of lung cancer on March 6, 2008, at the age of 84.^[1][2][3]

References

1. Fox, Margalit (2008-03-11). "Gloria Shayne Baker, Composer and Lyricist, Dies at 84". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-23.
2. Noland, Claire (2008-03-15). "Gloria Shayne Baker, 84; helped write 'Do You Hear What I Hear?'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2008-03-27. Retrieved 2008-03-23.
3. Noland, Claire (2008-03-16). "Gloria Shayne Baker: 1923 - 2008". Chicago Tribune.