He was born in New York City (but grew up in New Haven, Connecticut) and began learning the saxophone when he was 15 and by age 16, had begun to tour with a band. He reached Hollywood the first time, as a sideman with Irving Aaronson's band in 1931, performing at the famous Orange Blossom Room (site of the first Academy Awards ceremony in 1929). Returning to New York City in1932, he became a highly in-demand session musician, working for example as one of just a handful of accompanists to Bing Crosby's first signature radio show for William S. Paley's already powerful and influential CBS radio network. Ultimately, Artie (who was known strictly as "Art" Shaw until his fortuitous Summer, 1938 contract with RCA Victor records' Bluebird label commenced) organized and led five, full-time touring orchestras that were all extremely popular -save the last, from 1949, with its be-bop oriented book. Ironically, that final Shaw-led big band (populated with players like Al Cohn), is considered by most jazz critics to have been Artie's best. With time out to lead a Navy service band (in the Pacific combat theater) during WWII, Shaw's actual big band- leading career lasted less than a decade overall -yet, it was a remarkably productive one, populated with some fourteen "Gold" records. These included such mega-hits as "Begin the Beguine", "Stardust", "Frenesi", "Moonglow", "Temptation", "Dancing In The Dark" and "Summit Ridge Drive" -the latter by his famous quintet billed as the Gramercy 5.
Shaw was known for being an innovator in the big band idiom, pioneering strings with jazz and using unusual instrumentations. His Summer, 1935 piece "Interlude in B-flat" was one of the earliest examples of what would be later dubbed "third stream". In 1938 he convinced Billie Holiday to be his band's vocalist, becoming the first white bandleader to hire a full-time black female singer. This 1938-1939 orchestra became phenomenonally successful and appeared in the movie "Dancing Co-ed" which also featured one of his future wives, Lana Turner, in the cast. Artie's clarinet playing, had by now reached a level that was arguably the greatest in jazz, easily rivaling that of Benny Goodman. Longtime Duke Ellington clarinetist Barney Bigard, himself a highly talented musician -cited Shaw (in 1940) as his "favorite" clarinet player. Literally abandoning his famous 1938-1939 band at the absolute peak of its' fame and earning power (Artie, just himself alone pulling down more than $10K per week) in late November, 1939, Shaw "abdicated" to Acapulco, Mexico. Returning to the U.S. he organized an entirely new orchestra, with full string section in the Summer of 1940. A truly stellar aggregation, it lasted until mid-1941, featuring stars Billy Butterfield, Johnny Guarneiri, Nick Fatool and Ray Conniff as principal arranger. This outfit can be prominently seen in the RKO film "Second Chorus" starring Fred Astaire and Paulette Goddard. The final pre-war Shaw band, started in late, 1941, had Davey Tough and Hot Lips Page and big hits on St. James Infirmary Blues and Blues In The NIght. Artie broke this outstanding unit up shortly after Pearl Harbor so he could "enlist" in the Navy -refusing an offered commission. Back from the Navy, Shaw put together a new band that featured Roy Eldridge and an ambitious library stocked with arrangements by Eddie Sauter, Buster Harding, Ray Conniff and others. Hit records for this band included "Little Jazz" and "S'Wonderful" and by now Artie was married to Ava Gardner. His final public performances (as a clarinetist) took place in 1954, including with a sublime quartet in an extended Las Vegas booking. Apparently, he last picked up and played his fabled clarinet in about 1960 at his beach house in Spain (as recounted in final wife actress Evelyn Keyes' autobiography) and resisted all lucrative offers to return to the stage until finally fielding a "ghost" band under the highly capable aegis of outstanding clarinetist Dick Johnson in 1985. For about the first year, Artie often appeared on stage with this very fine orchestra at certain, prestigious bookings, but soon tired of the "grind" -and not to Dick Johnson's dismay. This now true "ghost" band is still appearing during Summer seasons (with much of the original Shaw "books"), principally in the New England area (Johnson lives in Boston) and is well worth seeing. Although he had more wives (8) than bands, Artie fell one wife short of Charlie Barnet's record (for a famous bandleadrer) of nine.
Never In A Million Years
Artie Shaw Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Surround myself around my own fantasy
You just gotta be strong and believe in yourself
Forget all the sadness 'cause love is all you need
Love is all you need
Do you know what it's like to be alone in this world
When you're down and out on your luck and you're a failure
You think it's all been a waste of time
It's been a bad year
You start believing everything's gonna be alright
Next minute you're down and you're flat on your back
A brand new day is beginning
Get that sunny feeling and you're on your way (way)
Just believe - just keep passing the open windows
Just believe - just keep passing the open windows
Do you know how it feels when you don't have friend (friend)
Without a job and no money to spend
You're a stranger
All you think about is suicide
One of these days you're gonna lose the fight
You better keep out of danger - yeah
That same old feeling just keeps burning deep inside (inside)
You keep telling yourself it's gonna be the end
Oh - get yourself together
Things are looking better everyday (day)
Just believe - just keep passing the open windows
Just believe - just keep passing the open windows
This is the only life for me - yeah
Surround myself around my own fantasy
You just gotta be strong and believe in yourselves
Forget all the sadness 'cause love is all you need
Just believe - just keep passing the open windows
Just believe - just keep passing the open windows
You just gotta be strong and believe in yourselves
Forget all the sadness 'cause love is all you need yeah
Love is all you need
Oh baby love is all you need
Just believe - just keep passing the open windows
Just believe - just keep passing the open windows
Just keep passing the open windows
Just keep passing the open windows
Just keep passing the open windows
Just keep passing the open windows
Just keep passing the open windows
Just keep passing the open windows
Keep passing the open windows
"Never In A Million Years" by Artie Shaw is a song that speaks to the power of self-belief and the ability to overcome challenges. The opening lyrics, "This is the only life for me - yeah, Surround myself around my own fantasy," suggest that the singer has found solace and comfort in creating their own world, possibly to escape from the hardships of reality. They believe that they can shape their own destiny and that their imagination is enough to fulfill their desires.
The verse goes on to describe the struggles the singer has faced, feeling alone, unlucky, and even contemplating suicide. However, amidst all the hardships, the song encourages perseverance and the belief that things will get better. The lyrics reinforce the idea of not giving up, even when it seems like there is no hope.
The repeated line, "Just believe - just keep passing the open windows," serves as a metaphor for not getting stuck or dwelling on negative thoughts or circumstances. By passing the open windows, the singer is choosing to keep moving forward, not getting trapped in despair or hopelessness. It's a reminder to stay strong and optimistic even when faced with adversity.
The chorus emphasizes the importance of self-belief and the power of love. Despite all the struggles, the song suggests that love is the ultimate remedy and that by believing in oneself, all the sadness can be overcome. Love is portrayed as the all-encompassing solution to life's challenges.
Ultimately, "Never In A Million Years" is a song of hope, resilience, and self-empowerment. It encourages the listener to believe in themselves, to keep pushing forward, and to remember that love is a guiding force that can heal and transform. It serves as a reminder that even in the toughest times, there is always hope and a chance for a brighter future.
Line by Line Meaning
This is the only life for me - yeah
I have made a firm decision that this is the only existence that suits me perfectly.
Surround myself around my own fantasy
I create an environment filled with my own imaginative world, embracing the beauty of dreams and possibilities.
You just gotta be strong and believe in yourself
It is essential to possess inner strength and unwavering faith in oneself to overcome challenges.
Forget all the sadness 'cause love is all you need
Cast away all sorrow and pain, as love is the ultimate requirement for contentment and fulfillment in life.
Love is all you need
Love serves as the sole necessity for a truly fulfilling existence.
Do you know what it's like to be alone in this world
Have you experienced the feeling of immense solitude within this vast world?
When you're down and out on your luck and you're a failure
During moments of misfortune and when it seems as if life has defeated you entirely,
Wake up screaming in the middle of the night
To awaken abruptly in the midst of darkness, engulfed in fear and anguish.
You think it's all been a waste of time
Believing that every experience and effort made throughout one's lifetime has been in vain.
It's been a bad year
The past year has been filled with hardships and difficulties.
You start believing everything's gonna be alright
Gradually, a glimmer of hope emerges, and the conviction that circumstances will improve takes hold.
Next minute you're down and you're flat on your back
But suddenly, without warning, optimism gives way to despair, leaving you feeling defeated and helpless.
A brand new day is beginning
However, the dawn of a fresh day brings with it the potential for a new beginning.
Get that sunny feeling and you're on your way (way)
Embrace the uplifting sensation of sunlight, for it will guide you towards the path of progress and success.
Just believe - just keep passing the open windows
Maintain a steadfast belief in yourself and persevere by bypassing temptations and potential distractions.
Do you know how it feels when you don't have friend (friend)
Have you ever experienced the loneliness that arises from lacking companionship?
Without a job and no money to spend
Facing a situation where there is no employment and a scarcity of financial resources.
You're a stranger
You feel like an outsider, disconnected from the world around you.
All you think about is suicide
Thoughts of ending one's own life consume every aspect of your mind.
One of these days you're gonna lose the fight
There will come a time when you will succumb to the ongoing battle and lose all hope.
You better keep out of danger - yeah
It is crucial to stay away from situations that pose a threat to your well-being.
That same old feeling just keeps burning deep inside (inside)
A familiar sensation persists, deeply rooted within, refusing to dissipate.
You keep telling yourself it's gonna be the end
Repeatedly convincing yourself that the end is near, that there is no hope for a brighter tomorrow.
Oh - get yourself together
Oh, gather your thoughts and emotions, regain control of yourself.
Things are looking better everyday (day)
Gradually, each passing day brings signs of improvement and a more optimistic outlook on life.
Just believe - just keep passing the open windows
Maintain unwavering belief in yourself and persistently avoid distractions and temptations that divert you from your path.
You just gotta be strong and believe in yourselves
It is imperative to possess strength in your character and wholeheartedly believe in your capabilities.
Forget all the sadness 'cause love is all you need
Disregard any lingering feelings of sorrow, for love encompasses all the necessary elements for a fulfilling life.
Just believe - just keep passing the open windows
Maintain unwavering belief in yourself and persistently avoid distractions and temptations that divert you from your path.
Just keep passing the open windows
Continue to move forward without succumbing to stagnation or becoming tempted by fleeting opportunities.
Just keep passing the open windows
Continue to persevere and remain focused on your goals, bypassing any enticing distractions that cross your path.
Just keep passing the open windows
Persistently bypass any potential diversions or detours that may lead you astray.
Just keep passing the open windows
Continue to progress forward, disregarding opportunities that may seem enticing but ultimately hinder your journey.
Just keep passing the open windows
By remaining dedicated and focused on your course, avoid the temptation to veer off track or follow fleeting allurements.
Just keep passing the open windows
Persevere unwaveringly, refusing to be swayed by external distractions or opportunities that may lead to a standstill.
Keep passing the open windows
Persist in your forward momentum, navigating past open temptations that could disrupt your progress.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Geoffrey Downes, John Wetton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TWELS20
Those familiar with the recording of WJSV Washington's full broadcast day from September 21, 1939 will recognize that this was one of the records Arthur Godfrey played during his early morning show called the Sundial. It is true that the 1937 label states "NOT LICENSED FOR RADIO BROADCAST." I believe, however, that by 1939 there had been a court case that declared this attempted restriction by the record companies void, so the radio stations ignored it. There are not many Casa Loma recordings that feature a string section, so I found the inclusion of one here a real treat.