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.
How Come You Do Me Like You Do
Benny Goodman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How come you do me like you do?
Why do you try to make me feel so blue?
I've done nothing to you.
Do me right or else just let me be.
'Cause I can beat you doing what you're doing to me.
How come you do me like you do do do?
How come you do me like you do?
In Benny Goodman's song "How Come You Do Me Like You Do," the lyrics express a sense of confusion and hurt over the actions of another person. The repeated phrase, "How come you do me like you do do do?" suggests a feeling of bewilderment and an eagerness to understand the reasons behind the mistreatment. It conveys a sense of pleading to the other person, seeking an explanation for their actions.
The line, "Why do you try to make me feel so blue? I've done nothing to you," speaks to the artist's feeling of being unfairly targeted and hurt by this person. It expresses a sense of innocence and confusion, as the singer claims that they have done nothing to deserve this treatment. The lyrics suggest a plea for the other person to reconsider their actions and stop causing emotional pain.
As the song progresses, the singer asserts their worth and demands to be treated with respect. The line, "Do me right or else just let me be," communicates a desire for a mutually satisfying and respectful relationship. They express the preference for the other person to treat them properly or alternatively leave them alone. This sentiment shows a determination to maintain self-respect and a refusal to accept mistreatment.
The final lines, "Cause I can beat you doing what you're doing to me. How come you do me like you do do do?" reveal a sense of defiance and confidence on the part of the singer. They assert their ability to reciprocate the mistreatment if necessary but still question why the other person continues to treat them poorly. This reflects a desire to understand the motivations behind the actions and to encourage a change in behavior.
Overall, these lyrics convey a mix of confusion, hurt, and a demand for respect. The song highlights the complex emotions associated with being mistreated by someone without clear reason, showcasing the singer's plea for an explanation and their determination to assert their self-worth.
Line by Line Meaning
How come you do me like you do do do?
Why do you treat me the way you do?
How come you do me like you do?
Why do you behave towards me in this manner?
Why do you try to make me feel so blue?
What is the reason behind your attempt to make me sad?
I've done nothing to you.
I have not done anything wrong to deserve this treatment from you.
Do me right or else just let me be.
Treat me properly or allow me to be free from your actions.
'Cause I can beat you doing what you're doing to me.
Because I am capable of surpassing you in the way you are treating me.
How come you do me like you do do do?
Why do you continue to treat me the way you do?
How come you do me like you do?
Why do you persist in treating me in this manner?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gene Austin, Roy Bergere
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind