Uploaded March 2020 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Sounds of my Grandparents Era
"Painting the Clouds with Sunshine" sung by Nick Lucas - The Crooning Troubadour. "Painting the Clouds with Sunshine", was published in 1929, after introducing the song in the musical "talkie" film "Gold Diggers of Broadway". The song was written by Al Dubin (lyrics) and Joe Burke (music) (March 18, 1884 – June 9, 1950). Recorded on Brunswick 78 RPM No. 4418 by The Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company.
Played on a Victrola Talking Machine with a Tungs-Tone Stylus. Videography by Dane C. Sorensen.
There are probably far better sounding recordings of this song, but this video gives you an idea what an average persons in the 1940s would have been able to listen to on their home talking machine. This record belonged to my Grandparents - Frederick and Genevieve Robertson.
Lyrics:
(Verse)
This life's a play from the start
It's hard to play through a part
When there's an ache in your heart
All day I have my dreams till the dawn
I wake to find they are gone
But still the play must go on
They say
(Chorus)
When I pretend I'm gay
I never feel that way
I'm only painting the clouds with sunshine
When I hold back a tear
To make a smile appear
I'm only painting the clouds with sunshine
Painting the blues
Beautiful hues
Colored with gold and old rose
Playing the clown
Trying to drown
All of my woes me.
Though things may not look bright
They'll all turn out all right
If I keep the painting the clouds with sunshine
(Instrumental break)
Painting the blues
Beautiful hues
Colored with gold and old rose
Playing the clown
Trying to drown
All of my woes
Though things may not look bright
They'll all turn out all right
If I keep the painting the clouds with sunshine
Sounds of my Grandparents Era
"Painting the Clouds with Sunshine" sung by Nick Lucas - The Crooning Troubadour. "Painting the Clouds with Sunshine", was published in 1929, after introducing the song in the musical "talkie" film "Gold Diggers of Broadway". The song was written by Al Dubin (lyrics) and Joe Burke (music) (March 18, 1884 – June 9, 1950). Recorded on Brunswick 78 RPM No. 4418 by The Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company.
Played on a Victrola Talking Machine with a Tungs-Tone Stylus. Videography by Dane C. Sorensen.
There are probably far better sounding recordings of this song, but this video gives you an idea what an average persons in the 1940s would have been able to listen to on their home talking machine. This record belonged to my Grandparents - Frederick and Genevieve Robertson.
Lyrics:
(Verse)
This life's a play from the start
It's hard to play through a part
When there's an ache in your heart
All day I have my dreams till the dawn
I wake to find they are gone
But still the play must go on
They say
(Chorus)
When I pretend I'm gay
I never feel that way
I'm only painting the clouds with sunshine
When I hold back a tear
To make a smile appear
I'm only painting the clouds with sunshine
Painting the blues
Beautiful hues
Colored with gold and old rose
Playing the clown
Trying to drown
All of my woes me.
Though things may not look bright
They'll all turn out all right
If I keep the painting the clouds with sunshine
(Instrumental break)
Painting the blues
Beautiful hues
Colored with gold and old rose
Playing the clown
Trying to drown
All of my woes
Though things may not look bright
They'll all turn out all right
If I keep the painting the clouds with sunshine
