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.
Just You Just Me
Benny Goodman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let's find a cozy spot
To cuddle and coo
Just us, just we
I've missed an awful lot
My trouble is you
What are your charms for?
What are my arms for?
Use your imagination!
Just you, just me
I'll tie a lover's knot
'Round wonderful you!
The lyrics to Benny Goodman's "Just You Just Me" suggest the desire for intimacy and the creation of a personal haven between two people. The first verse talks about finding a cozy spot to "cuddle and coo," suggesting a physical closeness that allows for affection and communication. The second verse uses phrase "just us, just we" to emphasize the unity between the couple, as if they are their own separate entity. The emotional connection between them is also apparent as the singer confesses that they've "missed an awful lot," and lays the blame on their partner.
The refrain of the song contains the lines "Oh, gee! What are your charms for? What are my arms for? Use your imagination!" suggesting that the couple should explore each other's physical and emotional attributes and indulge in light-hearted playfulness in their interactions. The final verse talks about "tying a lover's knot", which symbolizes the couple's commitment to each other by creating a bond. The title of the song itself also emphasizes the exclusivity between the two individuals, reinforcing the idea that they exist solely for each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Just you, just me
Just the two of us and nobody else
Let's find a cozy spot
We should look for a comfortable place to be together
To cuddle and coo
To snuggle and express affection towards each other
Just us, just we
Only we can make each other happy
I've missed an awful lot
I’ve been longing to be with you
My trouble is you
My problem is not being with you
Oh, gee!
Surprised or overwhelmed expression
What are your charms for?
What makes you so attractive to me?
What are my arms for?
My arms are meant to embrace you
Use your imagination!
Think about all the romantic possibilities we have together
I'll tie a lover's knot
I’ll commit to you
'Round wonderful you!
Around someone as amazing as you are
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Round Hill Music Big Loud Songs
Written by: JEFFREY DAVID STEVENS, MARV GREEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kay4691
Makes me want to dance all over the house!!
@kay4691
Benny and the guys at their swinging easy best. A tteat