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.
If I Had You
Benny Goodman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I could be glad all of the while
I could change the grey skies to blues
If I had you
I could leave the old days behind
Leave all my pals, I'd never mind
I could start my life all a new
If I had you
Sail the mighty ocean wide
I could cross the burning desert
If I had you by my side
I could be a king, dear, uncrowned
Humble or poor, rich or renowned
There is nothing I couldn't do
If I had you
I could show the world how to smile
I could be glad all of the while
I could change the grey skies to blues
If I had you
I could leave the old days behind
Leave all my pals, I'd never mind
I could start my life all a new
If I had you
I could climb the snow capped mountains
Sail the mighty ocean wide
I could cross the burning desert
If I had you by my side
I could be a king, dear, uncrowned
Humble or poor, rich or renowned
There is nothing I couldn't do
Benny Goodman's "If I Had You" is a love song that charts the power of love and how it can inspire one to do great things. In the song, the singer declares that love has the power to transform everything in their life. The lyrics communicate that if the singer had their lover's love, they could do anything including displaying a positive outlook, changing dreary days to joyful ones, and starting anew without any regrets.
The song is about a person who believes that they would be unstoppable if they had their lover by their side. As the lyrics state, they could climb mountains, cross deserts, sail oceans, and become a king - anything would be possible with their love. This bolsters the idea that love is powerful, all-consuming and can take people on the most incredible adventures.
The lyrics of "If I Had You" communicate the transformative power of love, as well as a deep need for companionship and emotional support. The song suggests that love can offer hope in even the darkest of times, bring joy to a mundane life, and propel one to do great things. Furthermore, the song also highlights the idea that the support of a loved one can be motivating towards growth and self-improvement.
Line by Line Meaning
I could show the world how to smile
I have the ability to bring joy to people's lives and make them happy
I could be glad all of the while
I have the potential to always maintain a positive attitude and enjoy life
I could change the grey skies to blues
I can turn negative situations into positive ones and bring happiness to myself and others
If I had you
I need someone special in my life to help me achieve all these things
I could leave the old days behind
I have the power to move on from the past and start fresh
Leave all my pals, I'd never mind
I am willing to leave behind old friendships if it means finding someone who can make me truly happy
I could start my life all a new
I have the potential for a fresh start and a new beginning
I could climb the snow capped mountains
With the support of someone special, I have the courage to conquer any challenge
Sail the mighty ocean wide
I am capable of exploring new places and having new experiences if I have someone to share them with
I could cross the burning desert
I have the strength and determination to overcome any obstacle if I have someone to support me
If I had you by my side
Having someone special in my life is key to unlocking my full potential
I could be a king, dear, uncrowned
With the love and support of someone special, I can feel like royalty and have confidence in myself
Humble or poor, rich or renowned
It doesn't matter what my social or financial status is, as long as I have someone by my side who loves me
There is nothing I couldn't do
With the right person by my side, I have the potential to accomplish anything and overcome any obstacle
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GORDON MILLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ednaldo Siqueira
Aprendir apreciar Benny goodman, desda adolecencia, um grande maestro.
José António Martins do Vale
HE IS JUST THE KING OF SWING!!!!!!!
Giovanni Rosalino
I feel to hear "If i had you" so many times! Amazing song! :D
AlexMoby
This song is soooo relaxing !
flores german
el maestro benny goodman, mi padre me educo a apreciar,disfrutarel buen gusto de esta musica es un deleite musical.........
MastersofMelody1
I agree, it's the Dave Shepherd Quintet, He was one the best clarinet players in Britain who modelled his style on Goodman, who famously said of Shepherd " he sounds more like me than I do! "
Laurie Lyon
MrJimmienoone , To Goodman devotees, fans, clarinet players and many musicians in general, Mr. Shepherd’s playing is a recognizable departure from BG’s.
Agreed there’s only one BG regarding style and more importantly wizardry, but this guy is no slouch and nonetheless a good player.
And lots of clarinet players would love to play this well.
MrJimmienoone
It's incomprehensible to me how anybody can take this clarinetist for Goodman. The tone is very similar, I admit, but the phrasing is totally different, without the class of Goodman's ideas.
catman916
This recording is in stereo and the arrangement is different from Benny Goodman's 1941 recording this song.
catman916
This is Benny Goodman from Live in Stockholm 1970.