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.'
When Winter Comes
Artie Shaw and His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And that rain stops beatin' on my window pane
When the sun comes out
There'll be bluebirds 'round my door, singin' like they did before
That ol' storm broke out
And my man/gal walked off and left me in the rain
Though he's/she's gone I doubt
Love is funny, it's not always peaches, cream and honey
Just when everything looked bright and sunny
Suddenly the cyclone came, I'll never be the same
Til that sun comes out
And the rain stops beatin' on my window pane
If my heart holds out
Let it rain and let it pour, it may not be long before
There's a knockin' at my door
Then you'll know the one I love walked in
When the sun comes out
The song "When Winter Comes" by Artie Shaw and His Orchestra is a powerful piece that speaks to the pain of a broken heart. It highlights the singer's intense want for their lover to return to them. The singer finds comfort in the fact that this person may come back to them soon, as when the sun comes out, there will be bluebirds around their door "singing like they did before." The singer acknowledges that love is not always easy and goes on to describe how their world was turned upside down by the "cyclone" that came with their lover's departure. They promise not to let the pain consume them and vow to stay alive until the moment their lover returns.
Line by Line Meaning
When the sun comes out
I am hopeful that my life will brighten up soon.
And that rain stops beatin' on my window pane
I am hopeful that the troubles I am currently facing will cease.
When the sun comes out
I am hopeful that my spirits will be lifted and things will improve.
There'll be bluebirds 'round my door, singin' like they did before
I am hoping that the return of good times will bring back the happy memories of the past.
That ol' storm broke out
A crisis occurred in my life that has caused me great trouble.
And my man/gal walked off and left me in the rain
My significant other left me during a difficult time, making things even harder for me.
Though he's/she's gone I doubt
Even though they are no longer with me, I have hope that they will return.
If he'll/she'll stay away for good,I'd stop livin' if he/she should
The loss of my loved one has been incredibly difficult, and if they never return I am unsure if I can go on.
Love is funny, it's not always peaches, cream and honey
Love can be unpredictable and oftentimes difficult.
Just when everything looked bright and sunny
Everything seemed to be going well just before this crisis occurred.
Suddenly the cyclone came, I'll never be the same
The crisis had a major impact on me, and things will never be the same.
Til that sun comes out
I will continue to hope for better days to come.
And the rain stops beatin' on my window pane
I am waiting for my troubles to dissipate and for life to become easier again.
If my heart holds out
If I can find the strength to persevere through this difficult time.
Let it rain and let it pour, it may not be long before
I am willing to weather this storm, as it may be momentary.
There's a knockin' at my door
I am hopeful that a positive change is on its way.
Then you'll know the one I love walked in
If my loved one returns, they will be immediately recognized and welcomed.
When the sun comes out
I am eagerly anticipating a time of renewal and better times.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, S.A. MUSIC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: HAROLD ARLEN, TED KOEHLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Trombonology
Though the unit on this side isn't my favourite edition of the Shaw orch, it certainly was in terrific shape! Too bad that in a few months the leader would grow tired of performing for the rowdy "morons," as he christened his fans. The addition of Buddy Rich (stolen from the struggling Berigan band) made a huge difference in the rhythm section. Cliff Leeman, present on monster hit "Begin the Beguine," was a very fine drummer, but I've always felt that he was at his best later, with the Barnet band. Buddy really booted this outfit, as we hear. Georgie Auld (another star-in-the making that was lured from poor Bunny) contributes a characteristic solo, and charismatic Tony Pastor's vocal is marvelous, as always.
@BobBuckethead-ol5cw
One of Shaws best records
@JustABowlOfCherries
How do you mix these 78s to close perfection!
@maxlinder5262
Artie Shaw's Best Year's were in the late 1930 s..... just my opinion 😊
@naosoudessemundo2943
post classical music and waltzes