A fine swing-era singer, Irene Daye came close to becoming famous during her early years. Daye began her professional career going on the road with Jan Murphy's big band, joining his orchestra a few weeks before she was scheduled to graduate from high school in 1935. She did fly back home to pick up her diploma, although she never really needed it. Daye was with Murphy for two years and spent a short period singing with Mal Hallett before joining Gene Krupa's orchestra in May 1938. She had an attractive voice and a lightly swinging style, and improvised with subtlety while respecting the melody and words of the songs she interpreted. Daye recorded 63 songs while with Krupa. She made each tune seem worthwhile, even the duds, and had success with "Jeepers Creepers," "Bolero at the Savoy," "The Lady's in Love with You," "Drummin' Man," "The Rumba Jumps," "Rhumboogie," and "Yes, My Darling Daughter." On January 17, 1941, during what would be her final record date with Krupa, she had her biggest hit, "Drum Boogie." Her voice is also heard singing "Drum Boogie" in the movie Ball of Fire, although she was ghosting for actress Barbara Stanwyck.