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.
Dream A Little Dream Of Me
Benny Goodman Lyrics
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Night breezes seem to whisper "I love you"
Birds singing in the sycamore tree
Dream a little dream of me
Say "Night-ie night" and kiss me
Just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me
While I'm alone and blue as can be
Stars fading, but I linger on, dear
Still craving your kiss
I'm longing to linger till dawn, dear
Just saying this
Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you
But in your dreams whatever they be
Dream a little dream of me
Stars fading, but I linger on, dear
Still craving your kiss
I'm longing to linger till dawn, dear
Just saying this
Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you
Sweet dreams that leave all worries far behind you
But in your dreams whatever they be
Dream a little dream of me
In Benny Goodman's rendition of "Dream a Little Dream of Me," the lyrics express a longing for love and closeness. The singer is surrounded by nature, with stars shining and night breezes blowing. The singer then asks to be kissed and held, to be reassured that they are missed. The second verse acknowledges the fading of the stars, but the singer's desire remains strong. They long to stay with their loved one until dawn, but they are willing to settle for sharing a dream with them. The song offers the listener a sense of comfort and reassurance that even when they are not physically together with their loved ones, they can still dream together and find solace in the thought of being together."
The lyrics exhibit an inherent sense of longing and desire. The singer yearns for love and closeness, acknowledging that they are "alone and blue as can be." They want nothing more than to be held and reassured. The song employs various natural images, which offer a sense of comfort and stability to the singer. The stars and the night breeze form an almost protective cocoon around them, reminding them that they are not entirely alone. The repetition of the phrase "dream a little dream of me" adds a sense of urgency and longing to the lyrics, making it clear that the singer desires nothing more than to be with their loved one.
Line by Line Meaning
Stars shining bright above you
The stars are bright and shining above you, highlighting the beauty and wonder of the universe.
Night breezes seem to whisper "I love you"
The night breezes gently pass by and seem to be whispering words of love and affection.
Birds singing in the sycamore tree
The birds are singing happily in the sycamore tree, bringing a sense of peace and tranquility to the surroundings.
Dream a little dream of me
Take a moment to indulge in sweet dreams, where anything is possible and life is perfect.
Say "Night-ie night" and kiss me
Before bed, say goodnight and give a kiss to someone you love and cherish.
Just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me
Embrace your loved one tightly and tell them that you will miss them while you're apart.
While I'm alone and blue as can be
During times of loneliness and sadness, when things seem bleak and hopeless.
Dream a little dream of me
Use this time of solitude to imagine and dream, to escape reality and focus on things that make you happy.
Stars fading, but I linger on, dear
Even as the stars begin to fade and the night comes to an end, I am still here thinking about you, my dear.
Still craving your kiss
The desire for your physical affection and attention is still strong, even as the night draws to a close.
I'm longing to linger till dawn, dear
I wish we could stay together until the morning, holding each other in comfortable silence and peacefulness.
Just saying this
These are the thoughts and feelings that I can't help but express and share with you.
Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you
Wishing that you have sweet and peaceful dreams until you wake up with the warmth of the sun's rays on your skin.
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you
Hopeful that your dreams are free from any burdens or concerns of your daily life, allowing you to truly rest and relax.
But in your dreams whatever they be
Regardless of the content of your dreams, just remember to hold onto the hope and positivity that they bring.
Dream a little dream of me
Let me be a part of your dreams, even if we're apart in reality. Allow yourself to indulge in the beauty of your imagination and subconscious.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Fabian Andre, Gus Kahn, Wilbur Schwandt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BigSpiderback
Lovely marriage of melody and harmony (and rhythm) Never heard before, now one of my favorites
Boris Ortiz
Una hermosa versión para un hermoso tema. Linda y poco usual armonizacíon con el clarinete en primera voz pero en registro bajo siendo el instrumento mas débil... original