Hirt was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, the son of a police officer. At the age of six, he was given his first trumpet, which had been purchased at a local pawnshop. He would play in the Junior Police Band with the children of Alcide Nunez, and by the age of 16, Hirt was playing professionally, often with his friend Pete Fountain. During this time, he was hired to play at the local horse racing track, beginning a six-decade connection to the sport.
In 1940, Hirt went to Cincinnati, Ohio, to study at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music with Dr. Frank Simon (a former soloist with the John Philip Sousa Orchestra). After a stint as a bugler in the United States Army during World War II, Hirt performed with various swing big bands, including those of Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, and Ina Ray Hutton.
In 1950, Hirt became first trumpet and featured soloist with Horace Heidt's Orchestra. After spending several years on the road with Heidt, Hirt returned to New Orleans working with various Dixieland groups and leading his own bands. Despite Hirt's statement years later "I'm not a jazz trumpeter and never was a jazz trumpeter", he made a few recordings where he demonstrated his ability to play in that style, during the 1950s with bandleader Monk Hazel, and a few other recordings on the local Southland Records label.
Hirt's virtuoso dexterity and fine tone on his instrument soon attracted the attention of major record labels and he signed with RCA Victor. Hirt posted twenty-two albums on the Billboard charts in the 1950s and 1960s. The albums Honey in the Horn and Cotton Candy were both in the Top 10 best sellers for 1964, the same year Hirt scored a hit single with his cover of Allen Toussaint's tune "Java" (Billboard No. 4), and later won a Grammy Award for the same recording. Both Honey in the Horn and "Java" sold over one million copies, and were awarded gold discs.
Hirt's Top 40 charted hit "Sugar Lips" in 1964 would be later used as the theme song for the NBC daytime game show Eye Guess, hosted by Bill Cullen and originally airing from January 1966 to September 1969.
Hirt was chosen to record the frenetic theme for the 1960s TV show The Green Hornet, by famed arranger and composer Billy May. Thematically reminiscent of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's Flight of the Bumblebee, it showcased Hirt's technical prowess. The recording again gained public attention in 2003 when it was used in the film Kill Bill.
From the mid-1950s to early 1960s, Hirt and his band played nightly at Dan's Pier 600 at the corner of St. Louis and Bourbon Street. The club was owned by his business manager, Dan Levy, Sr.
Al Hirt club on the corner of Bourbon Street and St Louis in the French Quarter, 1977
In 1962 Hirt opened his own club on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, which he ran until 1983. He also became a minority owner in the NFL expansion New Orleans Saints in 1967.
In 1962, in an effort to showcase him in a different musical setting, Hirt was teamed with arranger and composer Billy May and producer Steve Sholes to record an album titled Horn A Plenty that was a departure from the Dixieland material that he was generally associated with. Covering an eclectic variety of popular, standard and show tunes, it featured a big-band supplemented by timpani, French horns and harp. He also appeared opposite Troy Donahue and Suzanne Phlesette in the 1962 motion picture, "Rome Adventure."
In 1965, he hosted the hour-long television variety series Fanfare, which aired on CBS as a summer replacement for Jackie Gleason and the American Scene Magazine.
Hirt starred along with the University of Arizona marching band at the first Super Bowl halftime show in 1967.
On February 8, 1970, while performing in a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Hirt was injured while riding on a float. It is popularly believed that he was struck in the mouth by a thrown piece of concrete or brick. Factual documentation of the details of the incident is sparse, consisting primarily of claims made by Hirt after the incident. Whatever the actual cause of his injuries, Hirt underwent surgery and made a return to the club scene. This incident was parodied in a Saturday Night Live skit from their second season Mardi Gras special, the "Let's Hit Al Hirt in the Mouth with a Brick Contest".
In 1987, Hirt played a solo rendition of "Ave Maria" for Pope John Paul II's visit to New Orleans. He is referred to in the 1987 film Good Morning, Vietnam, in a broadcast made by Lieutenant Hauk (Bruno Kirby).
Hirt died of liver failure at the age of 76, after having spent the previous year in a wheelchair due to edema in his leg. He was survived by his wife, Beverly Essel Hirt, and six children from a previous marriage.
Why Me
Al Hirt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To deserve even one
Of the pleasures I've known
Tell me Lord, what did I ever do
That was worth loving you
Or the kindness you've shown.
Lord help me Jesus, I've wasted it so
Now that I know that I've need you so
Help me Jesus, my soul's in your hand.
Tell me Lord, if you think there's a way
I can try to repay
All I've taken from you
Maybe Lord, I can show someone else
What I've been through myself
On my way back to you.
Lord help me Jesus, I've wasted it so
Help me Jesus I know what I am
Now that I know that I've need you so
Help me Jesus, my soul's in your hand.
The song "Why Me" by Al Hirt is a heartfelt ode to the Lord, asking for guidance and seeking answers about one's place and purpose in life. The singer, in his humility, questions why he has been blessed with so many good things in his life, and wonders what it is that he has done to deserve them. He acknowledges that he has made mistakes and squandered some of his blessings, and asks for forgiveness and help from Jesus to find his way back to the right path.
The lyrics of the song are a testament to the human condition, where one can be grateful and at the same time questioning, humble yet flawed. The plea to the Lord is a universal one, as many people, regardless of their faith or background, have at some point in their lives harbored some doubts or questions about their purpose in life or the providence they have received.
The song's message is not only religious, but it can also serve as a reminder to everyone to be thankful for the good things in their lives and to strive to be better, even in the midst of their struggles and mistakes.
Line by Line Meaning
Why me Lord, what have I ever done
I am in awe of the blessings I have received and do not feel deserving of them. I seek to understand what it is that makes me worthy.
To deserve even one
I cannot fathom why I have been so lucky to experience even a single pleasure.
Of the pleasures I've known
I am grateful for every positive experience I have had in my life.
Tell me Lord, what did I ever do
I want to know what actions or qualities I possess that make me worthy of your love and kindness.
That was worth loving you
I am acknowledging that loving you is the greatest honor and privilege and I want to be deserving of it.
Or the kindness you've shown.
Your mercy and forgiveness have been unending and I am thankful for them.
Lord help me Jesus, I've wasted it so
I realize now that I have made mistakes and squandered opportunities. I seek your guidance and support to make things right.
Help me Jesus I know what I am
I am aware of the flawed and imperfect person I am without your guidance and intervention.
Now that I know that I've need you so
I have come to the realization that I cannot succeed on my own and I desperately need your help and intervention.
Help me Jesus, my soul's in your hand.
I am surrendering myself to you and entrusting my spiritual well-being in your care.
Tell me Lord, if you think there's a way
I am open to any guidance or suggestions you have for me to make amends or redirect my life's path.
I can try to repay
I am willing to work hard and use my talents to make up for the mistakes I have made.
All I've taken from you
I recognize that my good fortune has come from you and I want to make amends for not fully appreciating it.
Maybe Lord, I can show someone else
I want to use my experiences and what I've learned to help others who may be struggling or lost.
What I've been through myself
I have gone through difficult times and have gained wisdom from those experiences that I hope to share.
On my way back to you.
I am committed to rediscovering my faith and deepening my relationship with you.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Kris Kristofferson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind