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).
You'd Be so Nice to Come Home To
Ben Webster Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'd be so nice by the fire
While the breeze on high, sang a lullaby
You'd be all my heart could desire
Under stars chilled by the winter
Under an August moon shining above
You'd be so nice, you'd be paradise
Under stars chilled by the winter
Under an August moon burning above
You'd be so nice, you'd be paradise
To come home to and love
The lyrics to Ben Webster's song "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" describe the longing for a loved one to come back to. The opening line expresses the desire for the person to be waiting at home, ready to offer warmth and companionship. The following lines create an idyllic scene of a cozy fire, a soothing breeze and the soothing sound of a lullaby. The singer paints a picture of the ideal sanctuary of love and comfort that his heart desires. The repetition of the phrase "you'd be so nice" emphasizes the depth of yearning and affection.
The second stanza continues the theme of paradise, presenting contrasting seasons - winter and August. The lyrics suggest that the season doesn't matter, the person's presence would make everything perfect. The use of the word "paradise" creates a sense of having everything one needs to be happy, and the repeated line "to come home to and love" reinforces the idea of the longing for connection.
Overall, the song is a romantic expression of longing and desire for someone who brings meaning and happiness to one's life.
Line by Line Meaning
You'd be so nice to come home to
Returning to your presence will undoubtedly fill me with great joy and contentment.
You'd be so nice by the fire
Having you beside me in front of the warm fire would be an absolute comfort and luxury.
While the breeze on high, sang a lullaby
The peaceful and calming sounds of the wind would be a soothing accompaniment to our time together.
You'd be all my heart could desire
You alone possess everything that my heart yearns for, and I would be complete in your loving presence.
Under stars chilled by the winter
We would be surrounded by the cold winter night, illuminated by the sparkling stars above us.
Under an August moon shining above
The warm and bright light of the August full moon would be our romantic backdrop.
You'd be so nice, you'd be paradise
Being with you would truly feel like being in a heavenly paradise.
To come home to and love
You are the one I long to return to again and again, to cherish and adore with all my heart.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@valerieg6061
You'd be so nice to come home to
You'd be so nice by the fire
While the breeze on high sang a lullaby
You'd be all my heart could desire
Under stars chilled by the winter
Under an August moon shining above
You'd be so nice, you'd be paradise
To come home to and love
Under stars chilled by the winter
Under an August moon burning above
You'd be so nice, you'd be paradise
To come home to and love
@MrHova50
A true classic, indeed.
Ben introduces the melody and at 0:59 the Bean takes over (a magic moment!). After Oscar's solo the Hawk continues - beautifully but also powerfully. Ben returns at 3:48.
Thanks for posting those giants' music.
@alex70max
One of the best pieces - ever... Two giants of tenor
@valerieg6061
You'd be so nice to come home to
You'd be so nice by the fire
While the breeze on high sang a lullaby
You'd be all my heart could desire
Under stars chilled by the winter
Under an August moon shining above
You'd be so nice, you'd be paradise
To come home to and love
Under stars chilled by the winter
Under an August moon burning above
You'd be so nice, you'd be paradise
To come home to and love
@MrLubadub
Gorgeous song, the piano solo around 1:40 sends tingles up my spine every time. For me it steals this song away even though the hawk and Ben are killer on the sax.
@Creative2007100
That drumming!👍🏾👋🏾
@neverendinglove2527
Who's the drummer mate?
@dimples804
🎺🎯 home run 🎉🎷💕
@user-xj4qd8ng9p
Old classic jazz !!!
@iiiwagner999
נהדר!
@nitrile2000
Perfection.