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.
I'm In A Cryin' Mood
Benny Goodman Lyrics
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Simply because you're near me.
Funny, but when you're near me
I'm in the mood for love.
Heaven is in your eyes
Bright as the stars we're under
Oh! Is it any wonder
Why stop to think of whether
This little dream might fade?
We've put our hearts together
Now we are one, I'm not afraid!
If there's a cloud above
If it should rain we'll let it
But for tonight, forget it!
I'm in the mood for love
The song "I'm In A Cryin' Mood" was written by Leigh in 1930 and recorded by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra with vocalist Helen Ward in 1935. The song is playful, upbeat, and has an infectious swing that makes it a favorite for dancers. The lyrics are a love letter to the singer's muse, expressing the joy and contentment they feel in the presence of their lover.
The first verse of the song, "I'm in the mood for love, simply because you're near me," sets the tone for the entire piece. The singer's love is the root of all their good feelings, and they're excited to be around their partner. Heaven is also referenced in the lyrics - it's representative of the adoration they have for the person they're singing about. In the bridge, the singer notes that they're not worried about the future - their love is solid and they're enjoying the moment. The clouds or rain that might typically dampen love's spirits have no power over the couple's happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm in the mood for love
I am really feeling romantic and affectionate
Simply because you're near me.
It's because of your proximity that I am feeling this way
Funny, but when you're near me
It's strange that I always feel this way when you're around
I'm in the mood for love.
Once again, I am really feeling romantic and affectionate
Heaven is in your eyes
Your eyes are so bright and full of love that they seem to be actual heaven
Bright as the stars we're under
Your eyes are as brilliant as the stars that we're looking up at
Oh! Is it any wonder
It's not surprising that I am feeling romantic when I'm looking into your eyes
I'm in the mood for love?
And yet again, I am really feeling romantic and affectionate
Why stop to think of whether
We shouldn't worry or overthink whether what we're feeling is real or lasting
This little dream might fade?
Or if our feelings won't last forever
We've put our hearts together
But right now we are in love and have committed to each other
Now we are one, I'm not afraid!
We are united and whole, and I am not scared of anything
If there's a cloud above
Even if there is something negative hanging over us
If it should rain we'll let it
And regardless, we'll face it together and embrace it
But for tonight, forget it!
But right now, let's put it out of our minds and just focus on our love
I'm in the mood for love
And for the final time, I am really feeling romantic and affectionate
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RU TOCHKA MEDIA, LLC
Written by: Dorothy Fields, Jimmy Mchugh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind