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Kate Smith
Artist profile

Kate Smith

Kate Smith was a contralto from Greenville, South Carolina who started performing on local radio in the early 1930s. She made her Broadway debut in 1931's...

album11 lyric pages photo_library1 photo groups14 listeners here now Editor's note live
person Curated by Ethan Walker LyroVerse team
Start here

The pages that open this catalog up fastest

These picks surface the stronger lyric pages first instead of dropping you into one endless list.

Sometimes 16 visits arrow_forward Star Spangled Banner 16 visits arrow_forward River Stay 'way From My Door 15 visits arrow_forward God Bless America 14 visits arrow_forward How Do I Know It's Real 14 visits arrow_forward Rose Oday 14 visits arrow_forward
Editor's note

Kate Smith's resonant voice and patriotic signature

The contralto who made Irving Berlin's 'God Bless America' her own during World War II.

For the full picture, listen to 'God Bless America' alongside something like 'River Stay 'way From My Door.' The contrast tells you more than any biography could.

When you hear 'God Bless America,' you're probably hearing Kate Smith's version in your head. She first performed it in 1938, and her rich contralto gave the song its wartime weight. Beyond that signature, she recorded songs like 'Sometimes' and 'How Do I Know It's Real' that showed she wasn't just a one-note patriotic singer.

She started on local radio in the early 1930s and made her Broadway debut in 1931's 'Flying Colors.' By the late 1930s, she was performing with her own Kate Smith Orchestra and recording everything from 'The Star-Spangled Banner' to 'Silver Bells.'

edit_note Ethan Walker · LyroVerse team · Apr 20
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LyroVerse editor's notes are short interpretation guides, not final verdicts. If something needs a correction, visit About or Contact.

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11 lyric pages live 1 photo available Editor's note live Video on page
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Kate Smith
Background notes

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Kate Smith was a contralto from Greenville, South Carolina who started performing on local radio in the early 1930s. She made her Broadway debut in 1931's 'Flying Colors.' Her voice had a rich, resonant quality that stood out even in those early years.

In 1938, she first performed Irving Berlin's 'God Bless America,' and it became closely associated with her. The song gained particular prominence during World War II. She also recorded 'The Star-Spangled Banner' in 1942, and her version of 'Silver Bells' appeared among her popular recordings.

She worked with a backing group called the Kate Smith Orchestra that included musicians like conductor Jack Miller and arranger Russ Case. Beyond 'God Bless America,' she recorded songs like 'Sometimes' and 'How Do I Know It's Real,' showing a range that extended beyond patriotic material.

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Where should I start with Kate Smith on LyroVerse?

The Start here section opens with Sometimes, Star Spangled Banner, and River Stay 'way From My Door so you can move through the artist's stronger lyric pages first.

How many lyric pages are live for Kate Smith?

LyroVerse currently has 11 visible lyric pages for Kate Smith.

Does Kate Smith have photos on LyroVerse?

Yes. There are 1 photo available, and the preview gallery on this page links to the full photos section.

Does LyroVerse have an editor's note for Kate Smith?

Yes. The editor's note on this page is a short LyroVerse team guide, not a final verdict on the artist.

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