Goodman was regarded by some as a demanding taskmaster, by others an arrogant and eccentric martinet. Many musicians spoke of The Ray, Goodman's trademark glare that he bestowed on a musician who failed to perform to his demanding standards. Anita O'Day and Helen Forrest spoke bitterly of their experiences singing with Goodman. "The twenty or so months I spent with Benny felt like twenty years," said Forrest. "When I look back, they seem like a life sentence." He could also be incredibly self-absorbed; it is reported that when eating an egg onto which a ketchup bottle cap had fallen, Goodman simply ate around it. At the same time, there are reports that he privately funded several college educations and was sometimes very generous, though always secretly. When a friend asked him why one time, he reportedly said, "Well, if they knew about it, everyone would come to me with their hand out."
Some suggest that Elvis Presley had the same success with rock and roll that Goodman achieved with jazz and swing. Without Goodman there would not have been a swing era. It is true that many of Goodman's arrangements had been played for years before by Fletcher Henderson's orchestra. While Goodman publicly acknowledged his debt to Henderson, many young white swing fans had never heard Henderson's band. While most consider Goodman a jazz innovator, others maintain his main strength was his perfectionism and drive. Goodman was a non - pariel virtuoso clarinetist and -along with only Artie Shaw, amongst the most technically proficient jazz clarinetists of all time.
Goodman is also responsible for a significant step in racial integration in America. In the early 1930s, black and white jazz musicians could not play together in most clubs or concerts. In the Southern states, racial segregation was enforced by the Jim Crow laws. Benny Goodman broke with tradition by hiring Teddy Wilson to play with him ] in the Autumn of 1936. He then added Lionel Hampton on vibes in December, 1936, and in the early Summer of 1939 he augmented the famous "quartette" with pioneering jazz guitarist Charlie Christian to his band and small ensembles, who played with him until his untimely death from tuberculosis less than three years later. To give an understanding of American history at this time, Goodman's integration of popular music happened ten years before Jackie Robinson entered Major League Baseball. "[Goodman's] popularity was such that he could remain financially viable without touring the South, where he would have been subject to arrest for violating Jim Crow laws." By the mid- Summer of 1941, Benny had hired the incomparably rhythmic and show-man drummer, legendary "Big Sid" Catlett, the (later) famous John Simmons on bass, and still possessed the incomparable Charlie Christian on electric guitar -plus Cootie Williams was in the middle of his one-year contract... This amounted to virtually one-quarter of the orchestra of black heritage, but of course -following Jimmy Munday and Fletcher Henderson (who also joined the band as pianist for 6 months in July, 1939) it was really an orchestrated white extension of black big band jazz -only, curiously -better.
A Man And A Woman
Benny Goodman Lyrics
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For every life there's a plan
And wise men know it was ever so
Since the world began, woman was made for man
Where is she, where is the woman for me?
For every prince there's a princess
For every Joe there's a Joan
Born for you alone, happy to be your own
Where is she, where is the woman for me?
Find the one, find the one
Then together you will find the sun
For every heart there's a moment
For every hand, a glove
And for every woman, a man to love
For every heart there's a moment
For every hand, a glove
And for every woman, a man to love
Where is she, where is the one for me?
The lyrics of Benny Goodman and His Orchestra's song "For Every Man There's a Woman" convey a timeless message about the existence of a perfect match for every individual. The song suggests that there is a predestined plan in place, emphasizing that since the dawn of humanity, women have been created specifically for men. This notion speaks to the concept of soulmates, asserting that there is someone out there who is meant to complement and complete each person's life.
The lyrics also touch on the idea that patience is essential in finding one's perfect partner. It implies that everyone has their own unique match, whether they are a prince or a regular person like Joe. The song suggests that if one waits patiently, they will eventually come across the person who was born solely for them, someone who will bring happiness and become their own. Essentially, the lyrics express a hopeful outlook on love and relationships, emphasizing the belief that there is someone out there for everyone.
Overall, "For Every Man There's a Woman" celebrates the idea of finding true love and reinforces the concept that each person has a destined partner waiting for them. By highlighting the universality of this experience, the song reminds listeners of the eternal quest for love that has spanned throughout history.
Line by Line Meaning
For every man there's a woman
Just as every man has a woman in his life
For every life there's a plan
Each and every individual has a predetermined purpose in life
And wise men know it was ever so
Intelligent individuals understand that this has always been the case
Since the world began, woman was made for man
From the very beginning of existence, women were created to be companions for men
Where is she, where is the woman for me?
I wonder where that specific woman destined for me is
For every prince there's a princess
Similar to how every prince has his princess
For every Joe there's a Joan
Just as every average Joe has his partner named Joan
And if you wait, you will find the mate
If you have patience, you will eventually discover the perfect partner
Born for you alone, happy to be your own
Specifically created for you, content in being exclusively yours
Where is she, where is the woman for me?
I still wonder where that one woman meant for me is
Find the one, find the one
Search and discover that one person
Then together you will find the sun
Once you are united, you will experience pure happiness and joy
For every heart there's a moment
Every heart experiences a special moment
For every hand, a glove
Just as every hand has a perfect fit in a glove
And for every woman, a man to love
In the same way, every woman has a man to love
Where is she, where is the one for me?
I still wonder where that particular person meant for me is
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, S.A. MUSIC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HAROLD ARLEN, LEO ROBIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind