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.
What Is This Thing Called Love?
Artie Shaw Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Leading a life apart
When love flew in through my window wide
And quickened my hum-drum heart
Love flew in through my window
I was so happy then
But after love had stayed a little while
Love flew out again
What is this thing called love?
This funny thing called love?
Just who can solve its mystery?
Why should it make a fool of me?
I saw you there one wonderful day
You took my heart and threw my heart away
That's why I ask the Lawd up in Heaven above
What is this thing called love?
You gave me days of sunshine
You gave me nights of cheer
You made my life an enchanted dream
'Til somebody else came near
Somebody else came near you
I felt the winter's chill
And now I sit and wonder night and day
Why I love you still
The lyrics of Artie Shaw's "What Is This Thing Called Love?" tell a story of a person who had been leading a monotonous life but was then struck by love. The line "love flew in through my window wide and quickened my hum-drum heart" describes the feeling of falling in love unexpectedly, and the euphoria that followed. However, just as quickly as it appeared, love left, leaving a void that the singer questions, wondering "What is this thing called love?" and "why should it make a fool of me?".
The verses go on to describe the joy and happiness that love brought, alternating with the pain and heartache that followed. The singer remembers the sunny days and nights filled with cheer shared with his love, but also the moment when somebody else appeared, taking her away and leaving him feeling the winter's chill. The lyrics capture the complexity of love, with its highs and lows, and the way it can leave us feeling both alive and shattered.
Overall, the lyrics of "What Is This Thing Called Love?" convey a sense of longing, confusion, and heartbreak, all wrapped up in the mystery and magic of love.
Line by Line Meaning
I was a hum-drum person
I led a boring and uneventful life
Leading a life apart
I was living a solitary life, disconnected from others
When love flew in through my window wide
Suddenly, I fell in love
And quickened my hum-drum heart
Love brought excitement and passion to my dull life
Love flew in through my window
Love came unexpectedly and without warning
I was so happy then
I was ecstatic when I fell in love
But after love had stayed a little while
Unfortunately, the love didn't last long
Love flew out again
Love left as quickly as it came
What is this thing called love?
Love is something that is difficult to define or understand
This funny thing called love?
Love can be unexpected and mysterious
Just who can solve its mystery?
Nobody can truly solve the mystery of love
Why should it make a fool of me?
Love can make us do foolish things, and we don't always understand why
I saw you there one wonderful day
I fell in love with you the moment I saw you
You took my heart and threw my heart away
You broke my heart and left me feeling hurt and rejected
That's why I ask the Lawd up in Heaven above
I am searching for answers and guidance from a higher power
You gave me days of sunshine
You brought happiness and light into my life
You gave me nights of cheer
You brought joy and excitement into my nights
You made my life an enchanted dream
You made me feel like I was living in a magical world
'Til somebody else came near
My happiness ended when someone else entered the picture
Somebody else came near you
Someone else caught your attention and affection
I felt the winter's chill
I felt a coldness and emptiness after losing your love
And now I sit and wonder night and day
I am constantly thinking and questioning why I still love you
Why I love you still
I still have strong feelings of love and affection for you despite everything that has happened
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@OLD_SOUL1900
I've loved this tune for a long time and had forgotten whose version it was...I looked it up on YouTube, clicked on this and WHAM! "That's it!", I shouted. Artie Shaw...with Mel Torme. Instantly to my playlist. Thanks a million!😁
@dudley5533
Artie could always do justice to all the great songwriters of the past. The added Mel Torme and his group makes this one even better. Great video.
@markherron1407
Congratulations on your 80th milestone and Connie Haines brought me here! Blessings and Hugs 💖💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕!
@otrfan84128
Exotica pioneer Les Baxter was one of the Mel-Tones during this era, before he became one of Capitol's most successful arrangers, conductors, and hit-makers in the 50s.
@swingman5635
Wow! News to me! So cool! The entire session is magical, and this side's my favorite!
@marion1295
This record was way ahead of its time
@swingman5635
I always thought that, too.
@georgemarsh2152
Out of this world! Slick 40ish jazz style, tight harmony, playful arrangement. Will live forever.
@eddiewakesmusic3137
Amazing combining of Shaw’s ingenious arranging with Mel Torme’s phenomenal vocal arrangement!
@MARKMANIATT
A classic amongst classics!