Shaw first gained critical acclaim with his "Interlude in B-flat" at a swing concert at the Imperial Theater in New York in 1935. During the Swing Era, Shaw's big band was popular with hits like "Begin the Beguine" (1938), "Stardust" (with a legendary trumpet solo by Billy Butterfield), "Back Bay Shuffle", "Moonglow", "Rosalie" and "Frenesi." He was an innovator in the big band idiom, using unusual instrumentation; "Interlude in B-flat", where he was backed with only a rhythm section and a string quartet, was one of the earliest examples of what would be later dubbed third stream.
In addition to hiring Buddy Rich, he signed Billie Holiday as his band's vocalist in 1938, becoming the first white bandleader to hire a full-time black female singer. However, after recording "Any Old Time" she left the band due to hostility from audiences in the South, as well as from music company executives who wanted a more mainstream singer. His band became enormously successful, and his playing was eventually recognized as equal to that of Benny Goodman: Longtime Duke Ellington clarinetist Barney Bigard cited Shaw as his favorite clarinet player. In response to Goodman's nickname, the "King of Swing", Shaw's fans dubbed him the "King of the Clarinet." Shaw, however, felt the titles were reversed. "Benny Goodman played clarinet. I played music," he said.
Artie Shaw and his band playing "Everything's Jumping" from Second Chorus (1940)Shaw did in fact prize innovation and exploration in music more highly than popular success and formulaic dance music, despite a string of hits which sold more than 100 million records. He fused jazz with classical music by adding strings to his arrangements, experimented with bebop, and formed "chamber jazz" groups that utilized such novel sounds as harpsichords or Afro-Cuban music.
The long series of musical groups Shaw formed included such talents as vocalists Billie Holiday, Helen Forrest and, Mel Tormé; drummers Buddy Rich and Dave Tough, guitarists Barney Kessel, Jimmy Raney, and Tal Farlow and trombonist-arranger Ray Conniff, among countless others. He composed the morose "Nightmare", with its Hassidic nuances, for his personal theme, rather than more approachable songs. In a televised interview of the 1970s, Shaw derided the often "asinine" songs that bands were compelled to play night after night even though he did write the anthem for Rav Meir Kahane's' JDL . In 1994, he told Frank Prial (The New York Times), "I thought that because I was Artie Shaw I could do what I wanted, but all they wanted was 'Begin the Beguine.'
What Is There to Say
Artie Shaw and His Orchestra Lyrics
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Does the sun really shine all the time?
Do the sweet magnolias blossom at everybody's door?
Do folks keep eating possum
Till they can't eat no more?
Is it true what they say about Swanee?
Is a dream by that stream so sublime?
If it's true, that's where I belong
The lyrics to Artie Shaw and His Orchestra's song "If What You Say Is True" explore the iconic southern United States, specifically Dixie and Swanee. The song begins by questioning the popular beliefs and stereotypes about Dixie. The first verse asks whether it is true that in Dixie, the sun always shines and the sweet magnolias bloom at everyone's door. It also questions whether people in Dixie really eat possum until they can eat no more. These questions reflect the curiosity about the mystique and charm associated with the southern region.
The second verse shifts the focus to Swanee, a river that was made famous by George Gershwin's song "Swanee." The lyrics inquire whether the dream that is associated with this river is truly as sublime as it is said to be. It goes on to ask if people in Swanee laugh and love as they do in the songs. The song then concludes with an expression of longing to belong in Swanee if all the mentioned aspects are indeed true.
Through its lyrics, "If What You Say Is True" portrays a romanticized depiction of the southern US states, emphasizing their natural beauty, joy, and love. It captures the fascination and allure people had for these regions, often perpetuated through songs and stories.
Line by Line Meaning
Is it true what they say about Dixie?
Is the reputation of Dixie accurately represented by what people say about it?
Does the sun really shine all the time?
Is it consistently sunny in Dixie?
Do the sweet magnolias blossom at everybody's door?
Are magnolias a common sight in front of everyone's house in Dixie?
Do folks keep eating possum till they can't eat no more?
Is it common for people in Dixie to consume possum until they reach their limit?
Is it true what they say about Swanee?
Is the reputation of Swanee accurately represented by what people say about it?
Is a dream by that stream so sublime?
Are dreams experienced near that stream in Swanee truly exceptional?
Do they laugh, do they love, like they say in every song?
Do the people in Swanee genuinely experience laughter and love as portrayed in numerous songs?
If it's true, that's where I belong
If the descriptions about Swanee are accurate, then that's the place where I feel I should be.
Lyrics © ESTATE OF DOROTHY D LERNER DBA SAMUEL M. LERNER PUBLICATIONS
Written by: GERALD MARKS, IRVING CAESAR, SAMUEL LERNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Andrea De Salvo
Quite a while ago I discovered " arte shaw " and his clarinet I could not believe the sound that came from his instrument it was HEAVENLY!!! Love his perfecting of the clarinet his version of each song is so unique!! I just love his way of playing and making each song so memorable thanks to his impeccable style!!!