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).
I Got It Bad
Ben Webster Lyrics
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Tell me to save my tears
Well I'm so mad about him
I can't live without him
Never treats me sweet and gentle
The way he should
I've got it bad
My poor heart is so sentimental
Not made of wood
I've got it so bad
And that ain't good
But when the fish are jumpin'
And Friday rolls around
My man an' I, we gin some
We pray some, and sin some
He don't love me like I love him
The way he should
I've got it bad
And that ain't good
Yes I've got it bad
And that ain't good
In Ben Webster's song "I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)," the lyrics speak of a woman's unrequited love for a man who does not treat her well. She admits that she is so madly in love with him that she cannot live without him, despite others telling her to save her tears. The lyrics acknowledge that her heart is sentimental and that she has it bad, even though she knows it's not good.
As the song continues, the woman speaks of her routine with the man, where they "gin some, pray some, and sin some," but she admits that he doesn't love her the way she loves him. The lyrics mirror the complex feelings that come with unrequited love and show the inner turmoil and desire to hold onto something that is not good for us.
Overall, the lyrics of "I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)" show the pain and longing that can come with unrequited love. The woman knows that her love for this man is not healthy, but she cannot help but feel what she feels. The song poignantly captures the emotions that many can relate to when it comes to being in love with someone who does not love us back.
Line by Line Meaning
Though folks with good intentions
Tell me to save my tears
Well I'm so mad about him
I can't live without him
Despite receiving advice from well-meaning people telling me to control my emotions and not waste my tears, I'm deeply in love with this man and I cannot imagine my life without him.
Never treats me sweet and gentle
The way he should
I've got it bad
And that ain't good
My lover is not treating me the way I expect to be treated with love and care. This is causing me to have strong negative emotions, and it's not a good situation for me to be in.
My poor heart is so sentimental
Not made of wood
I've got it so bad
And that ain't good
I am an emotional person with a tender heart, and my feelings are easily hurt. This is making it difficult for me to deal with the situation I am in with my lover, and it's not a good situation for me.
But when the fish are jumpin'
And Friday rolls around
My man an' I, we gin some
We pray some, and sin some
In spite of the difficulties in our relationship, my lover and I still find ways to spend time together and enjoy life. We may drink, pray or do things that we shouldn't, but we still try to find happiness in each other's company over the weekend.
He don't love me like I love him
The way he should
I've got it bad
And that ain't good
Unfortunately, my lover doesn't love me in the same way that I love him. This makes me feel unfulfilled and sad, and it's not a good situation for me to be in.
Yes I've got it bad
And that ain't good
In summary, I am in a difficult situation with my lover. I am deeply in love with him, but he doesn't treat me the way I expect to be treated. His actions and lack of affection are hurting me emotionally, and it's not a good situation for me to be in.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Duke Ellington, Paul Francis Webster
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Suyu Zhang
Hi, Do you have the sheet music and backing track for purchase?
Past Perfect Vintage Music
Sorry, no - but you can buy the CD or download the album directly from us, Past Perfect https://www.pastperfect.com/product/perfect-sax-solos-cool-1940s-saxophone-jazz/