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.
Jingle Bells
Benny Goodman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh yeah! Sort of a "Matchbox" feel, but what a great groove! Sing it out
for someone you used to love!
I got the hatchback loaded
I got my suitcase on the floor
I got the hatchback loaded
Well you're a mean mistreater
I just can't stay here anymore
You used to be so nice
You used to love me all the time
You used to be so nice
You used to love me all the time
Well you're a mean mistreater
I've got to find some peace of mind
You know I worked so hard
I try to keep you satisfied
You know I worked so hard
I try to keep you satisfied
Well you're a mean mistreater
These are the last tears that I cried
You know I sure do love you
You got a spell that I can't fight
You know I sure do love you
You got a spell that I can't fight
Well you're a mean mistreater
I need someone to treat me right
I got the hatchback loaded
I got my suitcase on the floor
I got the hatchback loaded
I got my suitcase on the floor
Well you're a mean mistreater
I just can't stay here anymore
It seems that "Mean Mistreater" is a song about a relationship gone sour. The singer has packed up all their belongings into the hatchback of their car, ready to leave behind somebody they loved who has turned into a "mean mistreater." The lyrics suggest that this person was once affectionate ("you used to love me all the time") but has become someone who causes pain ("these are the last tears that I cried"). Despite the love that the singer still feels for this person ("you know I sure do love you"), they acknowledge that they need to find someone who will treat them right.
The feel of the song is reminiscent of "Matchbox," which is likely a reference to the Carl Perkins song covered by The Beatles. The groove is undeniably great, with a catchy melody and rhythm that propels the lyrics forward. It's a bluesy rock tune that would fit in well with other songs about breakups and heartache.
Line by Line Meaning
I got the hatchback loaded
I have packed all my belongings into the hatchback of my car
I got my suitcase on the floor
I have my suitcase on the floor ready to leave
Well you're a mean mistreater
You are cruel and make me feel bad
I just can't stay here anymore
I cannot continue living in this situation
You used to be so nice
You were a kind and caring person before
You used to love me all the time
You used to cherish and appreciate me all the time
I've got to find some peace of mind
I need to find a way to calm my thoughts and emotions
You know I worked so hard
I put in a lot of effort
I try to keep you satisfied
I did everything I could to make you happy
These are the last tears that I cried
I will no longer endure this pain
You know I sure do love you
I still have strong feelings for you
You got a spell that I can't fight
You have an inexplicable hold on me
I need someone to treat me right
I require someone who will treat me with love and respect
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TRADITIONAL, FRANCESCO MOCCHI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Trombonology Erstwhile
I adore this side, cut right before the Goodman band's breakthrough at the Palomar Ballroom. Benny and Krupa swing like mad, but it is Bunny's swaggering solo that steals the show. The clarinet choir, a frequent feature of Fletcher Henderson arrangements, is great, too.
Andy Howlett
Don't that just make you feel great? Merry Christmas everyone!
James Marshall
RCA/Victor/Bluebird records issued Jingle Bells b/w Santa Claus Is Coming To Town twice featuring two different bands. Here in 1935 with Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey and in 1941 with Glenn Miller and Alvino Rey. Each time "Jingle Bells" garnered the greater amount of attention.
Jorgen Rasmussen
Yes, but the arrangement is by Spud Murphy. On June 6 the band had an all day session that churned out about 50 ETs--one take and away we go. Quality as you would expect. Then on July 1 there was a regular session that included Jingle Bells. Same arrangement. But with only 4 songs recorded the quality is great
Nansi
Bunny Berigan on trumpet! 🐰🎺
Nathaniel Berry
I think rock is stupid unless it's above 1958 the instrumentals are significantly better...