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.
Thanks for Ev'rything
Artie Shaw Lyrics
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Every word, every sigh, every kiss.
Thanks for everything.
For bringing me moments like thanks for everything.
For taking the skies of gray,
And making them blue.
For taking my cares away.
So thanks for everything
Every thrill in your tender caress.
Thanks to you alone.
For all that I'll ever possess.
You gave me my reason to dream,
And made every dream come true.
And so for everything, my thanks to you.
The lyrics to Artie Shaw's song "Thanks for Ev'rything" express gratitude towards a loved one for all the positive moments they have brought into the singer's life, from words to kisses to making gray skies turn blue. The singer acknowledges that this person has made their dreams come true and provided them with reason to dream in the first place. The singer tips their heart to the loved one and thanks them for everything, for all the thrills and possessions they have given, making every care disappear.
The song is essentially a love letter in music form, and the lyrics express the overpowering feeling of gratitude and affection towards someone special. The song maintains an upbeat tempo and rhythmic melody, reflecting the joy that this individual has brought into the singer's life. The use of the word "everything" throughout the song emphasizes the enormity of this person's role in the singer's life, and the depth of the gratitude that is being expressed. Overall, the lyrics to "Thanks for Ev'rything" celebrate the transformative power of love and the difference that one person can make in another's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Thanks for everything.
I am expressing my gratitude for all that you have done for me.
Every word, every sigh, every kiss.
I appreciate every little thing that you have said or done for me, including the small gestures of affection.
Thanks for everything.
Once more, I want to express my appreciation for all that you have provided me with.
For bringing me moments like thanks for everything.
I am grateful for the experiences you have given me, including the moments of gratitude I feel towards you.
For taking the skies of gray,
You brought light and positivity to my life, even during difficult times.
And making them blue.
You have elevated my mood and made me feel happy and content.
For taking my cares away.
You have alleviated my worries and made my life easier to bear.
I tip my heart to you.
I offer you my sincere thanks and appreciation from the bottom of my heart.
Every thrill in your tender caress.
I am grateful for the moments of joy and excitement that you have brought me, including the physical affection you have shown me.
Thanks to you alone.
I acknowledge that you are the sole reason for my gratitude and happiness.
For all that I'll ever possess.
I am acknowledging that everything good in my life is because of you and what you have given me.
You gave me my reason to dream,
You have inspired me to have aspirations and goals for the future.
And made every dream come true.
You have helped me achieve my dreams and aspirations, and I am thankful for that.
And so for everything, my thanks to you.
Once again, I express my gratitude for everything you have done for me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Revel, Mack Gordon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind