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.
In a Sentimental Mood
Benny Goodman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can see the stars come thru my room
While your loving attitude
Is like a flame that lights the gloom
On the wings of ev'ry kiss
Drift a melody so strange and sweet
In this sentimental bliss you make my
Paradise complete
It's all like a dream to call you mine
My heart's lighter thing
Since you made me this night a thing divine
In A Sentimental Mood
I'm within a world so heavenly
For I never dreamt
That you'd be loving sentimental me
In A Sentimental Mood
I can see the stars come thru my room
While your loving attitude
Is like a flame that lights the gloom
On the wings of ev'ry kiss
Drift a melody so strange and sweet
In this sentimental bliss you make my
Paradise complete
Rose pearls seem to fall
It's all like a dream to call you mine
My heart's lighter thing
Since you made me this night a thing divine
In A Sentimental Mood
I'm within a world so heavenly
For I never dreamt
That you'd be loving sentimental me
The song "In a Sentimental Mood" by Benny Goodman depicts a romantic atmosphere where the singer is enamored with their lover. The first verse thematically describes a lover’s disposition as a warm light that illumines a dark space. The following verses reveal the many pleasures they derive from their lover's company; the melody of their kisses, the perception of pearlescent rain that is akin to a dream-like state. The chorus amplifies the sheer joy that they feel; the contemplation of a heavenly world that they bask in together, and the general feeling of disbelief that they are the recipients of such an extraordinary experience.
The lyrics evoke a sense of belonging, as though the singer and their lover are the only two people in the world. They appreciate their partner's tenderness, and every little thing they do becomes a signal of devotion. The song is deliberately paced and softer in tempo, reflecting the dreamy mood of the lyrics. It is a charming, romantic ballad that invites the listener to reconsider what it means to be deeply in love.
Line by Line Meaning
I can see the stars come thru my room
In a state of deep affection, it feels as if the stars are shining brighter and even penetrating through the walls of the room where I am, creating a magical atmosphere.
While your loving attitude Is like a flame that lights the gloom
Your affectionate nature is like a flickering flame that dispels and illuminates any dark and somber feelings I may have.
On the wings of ev'ry kiss Drift a melody so strange and sweet
Each time we exchange a kiss, it feels like a bizarre and delightful tune is carried by the gentle movement of our lips, resonating within me and creating a peculiar sensation.
In this sentimental bliss you make my Paradise complete
Being with you in this sentimental state of mind, one where I'm completely immersed in a feeling of tender emotion and contentment, it's like a dream come true and you make my world whole and perfect.
Rose pearls seem to fall It's all like a dream to call you mine
It's as if precious and delicate rose pearls were falling from the sky in a graceful way, and to be able to say that you belong to me feels surreal and dreamlike, almost too good to be true.
My heart's lighter thing Since you made me this night a thing divine
Ever since this night, where you've lifted my spirits and filled me with a sense of the divine, my heart feels lighter and happier than ever before.
I'm within a world so heavenly For I never dreamt That you'd be loving sentimental me
Being in your presence and experiencing this intense affection feels like being transported to a delightful and celestial world, and it's something I never thought I would experience, as I never considered myself worthy of such tender love.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore
Written by: Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Manny Kurtz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
xia's the name
absolutely timeless melody i love it
Kownampla
This is why i live the beauty of songs in the past. Love these vibes so much🥺💖😭
After Peluche
La musica del amor. Quiero vivir suspendida en ella infinitamente
QFEguy
Not a big band fan, but through Google Play (or any other service would probably work as well) I'm discovering there's a lot of Benny Goodman in particular that's well worth listening to.
Claywm29
QFEguy Yes, and Sing Sing Sing is worth it for sure.
SearingCow
I’ve probably listened to this 100 times in the past decade, thanks dude
saxy Ricks
Tasty, polished, inimitable Benny Goodman.
Ana Maria Gutierrez
I can see that as we go further in time music was more Classy & Fun, this is a much better vertion than John Coltrane's, thanks for the video Chris Key
juan antonio chamorro barrientos
I like much more this cover than Glenn Miller's....
wyndhl eodumegwu
Smooth, Orchestral Organic Real Jazz; verdad?