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.
Hooray for Hollywood
Benny Goodman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That screwy ballyhooey Hollywood
Where any office boy or young mechanic can be a panic
With just a good looking pan
And any barmaid can be a star maid
If she dances with or without a fan
Hooray for Hollywood,
Where anyone at all from Shirley Temple to Aimee Semple
Is equally understood
Go out and try your luck, you might be Donald Duck
Hooray for Hollywood
Hooray for Hollywood
That phoney super-Coney Hollywood
They come from Chillicothes and Paducas with their bazookas
To get their names up in lights
All armed with photos from local rotos
With their hair in ribbon and legs in tights
Hooray for Hollywood
You may be homely in your neighbourhood
But if you think that you can be an actor, see Mr. Factor
He'll make a monkey look good
Within a half an hour you'll look like Tyrone Power
Hooray for Hollywood
Hooray for Hollywood
The lyrics of Benny Goodman's song "Hooray for Hollywood" celebrate the glamour and allure of the entertainment capital, highlighting both the possibilities and the illusions that permeate the industry. The song opens by emphasizing the accessibility of stardom in Hollywood, suggesting that even the most ordinary individuals can become a sensation with just a good-looking appearance. The lyrics playfully remark that even a barmaid can become a star maid simply by dancing, regardless of whether she has a fan or not.
The second verse continues to exemplify the artificiality of Hollywood, referring to it as a "phoney super-Coney." It mentions people from small towns like Chillicothes and Paducas who arrive armed with their instruments, aiming to make a name for themselves by getting their photos displayed in local newspapers. The imagery of girls in ribbons and tights further accentuates the idea of performers putting on a show and using their appearance to gain attention.
The song concludes by expressing the idea that Hollywood can transform people's lives and appearances. It suggests that those who may be unattractive or overlooked in their neighborhoods have the potential to become actors, with the help of Mr. Factor, referring to Max Factor, a prominent makeup artist in Hollywood during that era. The lyrics whimsically imply that within a short period, one can be transformed into a figure as charismatic and captivating as Tyrone Power, a popular Hollywood actor of the time.
Overall, "Hooray for Hollywood" captures the allure and enchantment of the entertainment industry, highlighting the dreams and possibilities that exist within its realm, while also acknowledging the artificiality and illusion that surround it.
Line by Line Meaning
Hooray for Hollywood
Expressing joy and enthusiasm for the world of Hollywood
That screwy ballyhooey Hollywood
Describing Hollywood as eccentric and full of extravagant promotions
Where any office boy or young mechanic can be a panic
Highlighting the opportunities for ordinary people to become exciting and entertaining
With just a good looking pan
Implying that having an appealing face is enough to captivate audiences
And any barmaid can be a star maid
Suggesting that even a server in a bar can become a famous performer
If she dances with or without a fan
Emphasizing that dancing skills, whether with or without props, can lead to stardom
Where you're terrific if you're even good
Stating that being reasonably talented is enough to be considered impressive in Hollywood
Where anyone at all from Shirley Temple to Aimee Semple is equally understood
Asserting that both child stars like Shirley Temple and religious figures like Aimee Semple can be appreciated in Hollywood
Go out and try your luck, you might be Donald Duck
Encouraging individuals to take a chance and pursue their dreams, as they may achieve unexpected success like the beloved cartoon character Donald Duck
That phoney super-Coney Hollywood
Calling Hollywood fake and full of exaggerated attractions
They come from Chillicothes and Paducas with their bazookas
Indicating that people from small towns like Chillicothes and Paducas come to Hollywood with big dreams and ambitious weapons (figuratively)
To get their names up in lights
Revealing that aspiring individuals aim to have their names displayed prominently on marquees and billboards
All armed with photos from local rotos
Referring to individuals carrying headshots from their local newspapers to showcase their potential
With their hair in ribbon and legs in tights
Depicting aspiring performers as dressing up with ribbons in their hair and wearing tight clothing to enhance their appearance
You may be homely in your neighborhood
Acknowledging that one may not be considered attractive in their local community
But if you think that you can be an actor, see Mr. Factor
Suggesting that those who believe they have the potential to become actors should seek the assistance of Mr. Factor, a reference to Max Factor, a renowned Hollywood makeup artist
He'll make a monkey look good
Implying that Mr. Factor's expertise can make even an unattractive person look appealing
Within a half an hour you'll look like Tyrone Power
Conveying that Mr. Factor's skills can transform someone's appearance into that of a famous and handsome actor like Tyrone Power within a short timeframe
Hooray for Hollywood
Reiterating the initial expression of joy and enthusiasm for Hollywood
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID ANTHONY KATZ, SAM S. HOLLANDER, TYLER AARON GLENN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JimNova72
Fabulous...outstanding!!!!!!!!!!!......
HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD (1937)
(original version)
Music by Richard A. Whiting
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Hooray for Hollywood!
That screwy, ballyhooey Hollywood!
Where any office boy
Or young mechanic
can be a panic
With just a good-looking pan
And any shop girl
Can be a top girl
If she pleases the tired business man
Hooray for Hollywood!
You may be homely in your neighborhood.
To be an actor
See Mister Factor
He'll make your kisser look good!
Go out and try your luck
You could be Donald Duck
Hooray for Hollywood!
Hooray for Hollywood!
Hooray for Hollywood!
That bully, wild and woolly Hollywood
They hire cowboys then they hang their chaps up
And doll their maps up
And give them all that they lack
Now ain't it funny
They pay them money?
Shows what you can do if your horse can act
Hooray for Hollywood!
They hire fellas whose physiques are good
And then they tell them they're the perfect shape, man
To act like apemen
And they convince them they should
They make them grunt and yell
And people think they're swell
Hooray for Hollywood
@Blassieboy
My uncle was in this band and in this film it is historic
@raistlinmills131
Did you ever ask him what being driven on top of a car was like.
@Blassieboy
@@raistlinmills131 Several of them nearly fell off. One of Busby Berkeley and his bright ideas, who was a tormented soul.
@lunalovegood5901
The Great Movie Ride at Disney World just closed and I've been listening to this for the past 4 hours crying.
@juishydomangoes8623
Now that that ride closed, Hollywood Studios needs a ride that encapsulates that romanticism of golden age Hollywood.
@retrorob3248
GREAT MOVIE RIDE!!!
@stringplayer99
Your kidding? My great-grandfather wrote this song. I wonder if the two ever met. That is really very cool.
@Blassieboy
That I don't know. but anything is possible.
@DouglasUrantia
It was filmed at the now defunct Alhambra Airport that was on Valley Blvd. I lived in a house that was later built on the runway. The Rose Parade floats were made in the old hangers.
@jeremiahnoar7504
I've been looking for this for years!