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Skeeter Davis – The End of the World (Piano solo arr. sheet music)
Skeeter Davis, Country singer from the early 60s, gives us the recipe for how to sing the saddest song in the world with impressive sweetness. We return again to the theme that has been sung about the most throughout history, love. Among its multiple variants, the losses are one of the most prolific in musical gems, and this is one of them.
The End of the World is not a tremendous title for the deep feeling of loss that is expressed in this song.
How can we not feel identified in some way if all or almost all of us have suffered it at some point in our lives? You are lucky if in a matter of love everything has gone well for you and that means having hit the first time.
It is not my case and when you are involved in all that shit, lying on the sofa wishing that time would fly, and you see the sunny day full of life outside because it is not in accordance with your mood and it kind of sucks. Maybe it has something to do with putting on sad songs to get to the bottom, get smeared and stay long enough to face the day to day with a smile.
Skeeter Davis
Skeeter Davis, originally named Mary Frances Penick, was an American country music singer.
Among her best-remembered songs is 1962’s ‘The End of the World’. She was one of the first women to achieve major fame in the country genre.
Personal life
Skeeter Davis was born on December 30, 1931 on a farm in Dry Ridge, Kentucky, the first of seven children in the family of Sarah and William Penick. His grandfather, impressed by his character’s energy, was nicknamed ‘Skeeter’, which is a local term for mosquitoes. At that time, as a child, Skeeter chose country music as one of his personal passions.
Davis was married three times, the first being to Kenneth Depew. From 1960 to 1964, Davis was married to well-known WSM radio and television personality Ralph Emery. Skeeter received later strong criticism from her ex-husband in Emery’s autobiography.
In 1987, he married NRBC’s Joey Spampitano, which would end in divorce also in 1996.
After their third separation, Davis decided to settle in a several-hundred-acre colonial-style mansion in Brentwood, Tennessee. She spent her time surrounded by dogs, Siamese cats, a dove surrounded by a golden cage, and an ocelot named Fred.
Her extreme religious beliefs made her refuse to appear at places that sold intoxicating drinks. She even left her farm’s tobacco production, explaining that: ‘As a Christian, I think my body hurts.’
In 1993, he wrote his autobiography called ‘Bus Fare To Kentucky’, referring to his 1971 song. In 1988, he was diagnosed with breast cancer, and on September 19, 2004, he died from this cause at the age of 73 years in a hospital in Nashville, Tennessee.
Musical career
Skeeter Davis’ musical life began when, in 1947, he met Betty Jack Davis at a singing session at his school. It was from this relationship that the duo The Davis Sisters (The Davis Sisters) was born.
After months of traveling and public appearances, they managed to sign a contract for RCA Victor. The first single was called ‘I’ve Forgotten More Than You’ll Ever Know’ (I’ve Forgotten More Than You’ll Ever Know) and it became a hit, even being ranked the best country song in 1953.
Success was just around the corner for the Davis Sisters, but their path to fame was cut short by the tragic death of Betty Jack in a car accident and this left Davis in serious condition.
After months of recovery, Skeeter managed to make his first solo appearance and in a short time became one of the best country singers of 1957. Two years later, he managed to break in as a regular member of the ‘Grand Ole Pry’, home of the band. . best artists in the industry of their music genre.
During the 1960s, Skeeter was one of RCA’s most successful artists. It managed to enter 38 country hits to the most listened to lists, and up to 13 of them managed to make their place on the pop charts as well.
Among these songs was The End Of The World, a song that would become the most popular of his repertoire and a millionaire hit.
This hit number two on the best country and pop songs in 1963, ranking tenth on the consolidated charts of the year. It also managed to position itself in the UK lists, reaching position 18.
Davis toured extensively throughout the 1960s and 1970s, not only in the US and Canada, but also in Europe, where he was very popular.
His studio career slowed somewhat during the 1970s, but his hits included ‘I’m a Lover (Not a Fighter)’, ‘Bus Fare To Kentucky’ and ‘One Tin Soldier’.
For 1973, he had a small hit with the Bee Gees called ‘Don’t Forget to Remember’ and a country song called ‘I can’t believe it’s all over’. Only two more singles managed to enter the charts, the last of which was ‘I Love Us’ on Mercury Records in 1976. Two years before that, Davis had abandoned his long contract with RCA.
Davis later recorded several tribute albums, which include an artist Buddy Holly, featuring Waulon Jennings on guitar and also with Dolly Parton, one of her best friends. He also re-recorded ‘May You Never Be Alone’, a hit from his time on ‘The Davis Sisters’ with NRBQ in 1985.
In 1973, Skeeter was suspended from his appearances on ‘Grand Ole Pry’ for controversial statements against the Nashville Police Department, which did not fit well with the conservative side of the show’s directives.
However, because his Jean Shepard interceded, Davis was reinstated on the show two years after the act, where he remained until shortly before his death in 2002.
Davis later recorded several tribute albums, which include an artist Buddy Holly, featuring Waulon Jennings on guitar and also with Dolly Parton, one of her best friends. He also re-recorded ‘May You Never Be Alone’, a hit from his time on ‘The Davis Sisters’ with NRBQ in 1985.
In 1973, Skeeter was suspended from his appearances on ‘Grand Ole Pry’ for controversial statements against the Nashville Police Department, which did not fit well with the conservative side of the show’s directives.
However, because his Jean Shepard interceded, Davis was reinstated on the show two years after the act, where he remained until shortly before his death in 2002.
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Lyrics
Why does the sun go on shining?
Why does the sea rush to shore?
Don’t they know it’s the end of the world?
‘Cause you don’t love me any more
Why do the birds go on singing?
Why do the stars glow above?
Don’t they know it’s the end of the world?
It ended when I lost your love
I wake-up in the morning, and I wonder
Why everything’s the same as it was
I can’t understand, no, I can’t understand
How life goes on the way it does
Why does my heart go on beating?
Why do these eyes of mine cry?
Don’t they know it’s the end of the world?
It ended when you said, “Good-bye”
Mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm
(Why do these eyes of mine cry?)
Mmm, mmm, mmm
Don’t they know it’s the end of the world?
It ended when you said, “Goodbye”