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.
He ain't got rhythm
Benny Goodman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When he found the fourth dimension,
But he ain't got rhythm
So no-one's with 'im,
The loneliest man in town.
A lonely man is he,
His wife and family
Keep givin' him dirty looks;
'Cause he ain't got rhythm,
When they call him up it's to call him down.
With that daring aviator
He encircled the equator,
But he ain't got rhythm
So no-one's with 'im,
The loneliest man in town.
The lyrics of "He Ain't Got Rhythm" by Benny Goodman seem to narrate the story of an individual who possesses intellectual prowess, has achieved great feats and broken new grounds. However, his lack of rhythm and music sense keeps him isolated, lonely, and away from the company of friends and loved ones. The first verse highlights his discovery of the fourth dimension, a revolutionary achievement that should have garnered him lots of applause and respect, but unfortunately, his cluelessness towards music keeps him away from the social scene. No one wants to be with him or share the excitement of his exceptional discoveries because he can't dance or enjoy music.
The second verse adds a family aspect to the story. The man's lack of rhythm is so unbearable that his family is ashamed of him. Even when they reach out to him, it is mostly to nag or call him out for his awkwardness. The third verse uses humor to depict the level of isolation the man has gotten, even after accomplishing the unimaginable. Despite the man's ground-breaking feat of encircling the equator with an airplane, he still can't win the love and friendship of anyone, as no one wants to associate or be seen with a rhythmless individual.
Overall, the lyrics of "He Ain't Got Rhythm" are insightful and offer life lessons about the importance of music and social cohesion. It highlights how a lack of rhythm or music sense can become an obstacle in forming valuable social ties.
Line by Line Meaning
He attracted some attention
When he found the fourth dimension,
But he ain't got rhythm
So no-one's with 'im,
The loneliest man in town.
Despite his discovery of the fourth dimension and gaining attention from others, his lack of rhythm leaves him isolated and lonely in his community.
A lonely man is he,
Bendin' over his books,
His wife and family
Keep givin' him dirty looks;
'Cause he ain't got rhythm,
When they call him up it's to call him down.
His preoccupation with books and lack of rhythm cause his family to disapprove of him, leading to negative criticism and only being contacted for scolding.
With that daring aviator
He encircled the equator,
But he ain't got rhythm
So no-one's with 'im,
The loneliest man in town.
Despite his impressive feat of encircling the equator with a daring aviator, his inability to keep a rhythm results in him being alone and lacking companionship in his town.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@zahdio
Written by Irving Berlin, this was one of the greatest tunes of that era. Jimmy Rushing was bigger than life and set the style for popular music from that time on. He changed popular music from the regimented and stiff classical origin into something fun and beautiful. Before him there was no one with that persona. He was the face for these big bands, with his vocals, and sounds just as great today....
@AJNorth
"He Ain't Got Rhythm" comes from the 1937 musical film "On the Avenue," directed by Roy Del Ruth and starring Dick Powell, Madeleine Carroll, and Alice Faye, who sings it in the picture. All of the songs in the film were composed by Irving Berlin. Among a substantial number of extraordinary recordings Jimmy Rushing made, of which this is one, two additional stand-outs are "Pennies From Heaven," also with Benny Goodman, and "Exactly Like You," with Count Basie. Rushing died of leukemia in 1972.
@Corrie121
Another firm favourite of mine . This one goes straight to my "Swing" playlist. I'm surprised to find that mine is the first comment. Thank you for sharing this 5* post.
@AJNorth
Actually, Rushing's great recording of "Pennies" was also with Basie, from 1937 (the Goodman version was from 1958).
@javahead8
A great lyric - I like the Einstein reference.
@Finkanslig
Irving Berlin tune written in 1936. Benny Goodman uses Jimmy Mundy's arrangement for this 30 DEC 1936 recording (New York), with Gene Krupa on drums. Benny's brother Harrry plays bass. But it's ALL Jimmy Rushing on this one. :I:
@jrb51055
Oh look!!! my friend Mr. Goodman...wrote a song just for me!!. White boy, 2 left feet, cant carry a tune, nor keep the beat.
@connor6728
THIS ISN'T THE RIGHT SONG GET OFF THE INTERNET
@Zepje
YES
@rcavictorman
A solid version, and you're a fool. Go embarrass yourself somewhere else.