Ben Webster, a.k.a. "The Brute" or "Frog", was considered one of the three most important "swing tenors" along with Coleman Hawkins (his main influence) and Lester Young. Known affectionately as "The Brute", he had a tough, raspy, and brutal tone on stomps (with his own distinctive growls), yet on ballads he played with warmth and sentiment. Stylistically he was also indebted to alto star Johnny Hodges, who, he said, taught him to play his instrument.
Webster learned to play piano and violin at an early age, before learning to play the saxophone. Once Budd Johnson showed him some basics on the saxophone, Webster began to play that instrument in the Young Family Band (which at the time included Lester Young). Webster spent time with quite a few orchestras in the 1930s (including Andy Kirk, Fletcher Henderson in 1934, Benny Carter, Willie Bryant, Cab Calloway, and the short-lived Teddy Wilson big band).
In 1940 Ben Webster became the first major tenor soloist of Duke Ellington's orchestra. During the next three years he was on many famous recordings, including "Cotton Tail" and "All Too Soon." After three productive years of playing with Ellington, Webster left the band in an angry altercation, during which he cut up one of Ellington's suits. After leaving Ellington in 1943, Webster worked on 52nd Street in New York City; recorded frequently as both a leader and a sideman; had short periods with Raymond Scott, John Kirby, and Sid Catlett; and toured with Jazz at the Philharmonic during several seasons in the 1950s.
Webster recorded a classic set with pianist Art Tatum and generally worked steadily, but in 1964 he moved permanently to join other American jazz musicians in Copenhagen, Denmark where he played when he pleased during his last decade. Although not all that flexible, Webster could swing with the best, and his tone was a later influence on such diverse players as Archie Shepp, Lew Tabackin, Scott Hamilton, David Murray, and Bennie Wallace. In 1971 Webster reunited with Duke Ellington and his big band for a couple of shows at the Tivoli Gardens in Denmark
Ben Webster died in Amsterdam, The Netherlands in 1973 and was interred in the Assistens Kirkegård in the Nørrebro section of Copenhagen.
After Webster's death, Billy Moore Jr. created The Ben Webster Foundation, together with the trustee of Webster's estate. Since Webster's only legal heir, Harley Robinson in Los Angeles, gladly assigned his rights to the foundation, The Ben Webster Foundation was confirmed by The Queen of Denmark's Seal in 1976. In the Foundation's trust deed, one of the initial paragraphs reads: "to support the dissemination of jazz in Denmark".
It is a beneficial Foundation, which channels Webster's annual royalties to musicians, both in Denmark and the U.S. An annual Ben Webster Prize is awarded to a young outstanding musician. The prize is not large, but considered highly prestigious. Over the years, several American musicians have visited Denmark with the help of the Foundation, and concerts, a few recordings, and other jazz-related events have been supported.
Webster's private collection of jazz recordings and memorabilia is archived in the jazz collections at the University Library of Southern Denmark, Odense.
Ben Webster has a street named after him in southern Copenhagen, "Ben Websters Vej" (Ben Webster's Street).
Don't Blame Me
Ben Webster Lyrics
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I've hung around you just like a fool
Falling head and heels in love like a kid out of school.
My poor heart is in an awful state now
But it's too late now to call a halt
So if I become a nuisance it's all your fault!
Don't blame me for falling in love with you
I'm under your spell but how can I help it!
Don't' blame me!
Can't you see when you do the things you do!
If I can't conceal the thrill that I'm feeling,
Don't blame; me.
Ican't help it if that doggoned moon above
Makes me need someone like you to love!
Blame your kiss as sweet as a kiss can be
And blame all your charms that melt in my arms
But don't blame me.
I like every single thing about you
Without a doubt you are like a dream
In my mind I find a picture of us as a team
Ever since the hour of our meeting
I've been repeating a silly phrase
Hoping that you'll understand me one of these days.
Don't blame me for falling in love with you
I'm under your spell but how can I help it!
Don't' blame me!
Can't you see when you do the things you do!
If I can't conceal the thrill that I'm feeling,
Don't blame; me.
Ican't help it if that doggoned moon above
Makes me need someone like you to love!
Blame your kiss as sweet as a kiss can be
And blame all your charms that melt in my arms
But don't blame me.
The lyrics of Ben Webster's "Don't Blame Me" speak of a love-struck protagonist who has fallen head over heels for someone they've found. They describe themselves as a "fool," and their love as that of a "kid out of school." Despite this unabashed passion, the singer acknowledges that their love interest holds all the power in their dynamic. The singer's heart is in an "awful state" but they can't help but continue to pursue their love interest.
The singer pleads with their love interest not to blame them for their feelings, stating that they are "under [their] spell" and unable to help themselves. The singer is overcome with desire for their love interest but knows that their affection is not entirely within their control. The singer tries to explain that they are helpless in the face of their love, and cannot "conceal the thrill" that they are feeling.
The lyrics also acknowledge the power of physical affection, with the singer blaming their love interest's "sweet" kisses and "charms" for their inability to control their emotions. Despite all of this, the singer maintains that they are not to blame for their feelings of love.
Overall, "Don't Blame Me" showcases the intense and often uncontrollable nature of romantic desire. The singer is helpless in the face of their love interest's charms and pleads for understanding instead of blame.
Line by Line Meaning
Ever since the lucky night I found you
Since the day I met you by chance, I have been captivated and joined to you.
I've hung around you just like a fool
Like a fool, I have been sticking around with you for a long time.
Falling head and heels in love like a kid out of school.
I'm totally and madly in love with you, like a kid who has just started experiencing love.
My poor heart is in an awful state now
Now my heart is in a terrible condition due to my love for you.
But it's too late now to call a halt
However, now I cannot change or put an end to our relationship.
So if I become a nuisance it's all your fault!
If I become bothersome, it is entirely your responsibility, for I have no power over my feelings.
Don't blame me for falling in love with you
It's not my mistake to fall for you so deeply.
I'm under your spell but how can I help it!
You have enchanted me entirely and irresistibly, and I cannot help but react.
Can't you see when you do the things you do!
You are oblivious to the effects that your actions have on me.
If I can't conceal the thrill that I'm feeling,
I find it difficult to hide the excitement that you bring to me.
Don't blame; me.
I should not be held responsible for something that I cannot control.
I can't help it if that doggoned moon above
The moon above affects my emotions, and I cannot control it.
Makes me need someone like you to love!
The moon's power compels me to find someone like you, who is kind and lovable.
Blame your kiss as sweet as a kiss can be
If anyone should be blamed, it would be your kind and tender kiss.
And blame all your charms that melt in my arms
All your attractive traits that you have that makes me feel affection towards you.
But don't blame me.
You should not blame me for falling for someone whom I cannot resist.
Like every single thing about you, Without a doubt, you are like a dream
I find everything about you very likable, and there is no doubt you are like the epitome of a dream relationship.
In my mind, I find a picture of us as a team.
In my imagination, I always see us as a happy couple working together towards a common goal.
Ever since the hour of our meeting
From the moment we met, I've been attached to you.
Hoping that you'll understand me one of these days.
Expecting that one day you will realize my love for you and accept my feelings.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOROTHY FIELDS, JIMMY MC HUGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind