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.
Memories of You
Benny Goodman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every sunset too
Seems to be, bringing me
Memories of you
Here and there, every where
Scenes that we once knew
And they all, just recall
(Oh) How I wish I could forget those, (those) happy yesteryears
That have left a rosary of tears
Your face beams,in my dreams
(In) Spite of all (that) I do
(And) Everything,seems to bring
Memories of you
In Benny Goodman's song, "Memories of You," the singer expresses how memories of someone they used to know keeps coming back to them every time they witness a beautiful sunrise or sunset. It seems that everywhere they go, scenes that they once shared with this person flood their mind, and it causes them to long for the past. They are even tormented by how happy they were with this person and how they wish they could forget the memories that have caused them so much pain.
Despite their efforts, the singer cannot seem to get over this person. Their face appears in the singer's dreams even though they try to push them out of their thoughts. In the end, the singer is haunted by these memories of a person who once was a significant part of their life.
Overall, "Memories of You" is a melancholic, yet heartfelt song that speaks to anyone who has had to deal with the pain of losing someone they loved.
Interesting Facts:
Line by Line Meaning
Waking skies, at sunrise
Every morning when the sky lightens up with the sunrise, I am reminded of you and the moments we've shared together.
Every sunset too
As the sun sets, I am reminded once again of the memories that we've shared together.
Seems to be, bringing me
It feels like the natural course of nature and existence itself reminds me of you and the memories we have shared.
Here and there, every where
Wherever I go, wherever I look, I am constantly reminded of the memories that I've shared with you in every corner of the world.
Scenes that we once knew
The memories of the scenes and experiences we have shared together keep on replaying in my mind.
And they all, just recall
Each scene and memory that come to my mind just recall the fondest moments and experiences we have shared together.
(Oh) How I wish I could forget those, (those) happy yesteryears
Although those were happy times, it is painful for me to remember them now and I wish I could just forget and move on from them.
That have left a rosary of tears
My memories of you and the happy past we shared together have brought on countless tears that remind me of the longing and sadness that I feel.
Your face beams,in my dreams
Even in my dreams, your face continues to shine brightly and remind me of the love and joy that we once shared together.
(In) Spite of all (that) I do
Despite my best efforts to forget or move on, the memories of you and the love we once shared continue to haunt and remind me of the past.
(And) Everything,seems to bring
Every single thing that I come across or experience remind me of you, and the fact that I can't escape the memories of our past together.
Memories of you
In the end, everything that I've experienced, every feeling I've felt, and every thought I've had is just memories of you and our past together.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Andy Razaf, Eubie Blake
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ronnie Woods Bellmont Sound's
The nuances in this version are absolutely spot on, this is without doubt the best rendition of a jazz classic.
Pedro Bodden Bodden
Al escuchar estas sutiles melodías sentimos que vale la pena vivir
Adrian Silva
Listen to this story... My old man, was an immigrant back in the 60s. He came here alone, as a teen and sought out the American Dream, just like any immigrant. Throughout the course of his life, growing up in NYC, he obtained a job as Benny Goodmans Chauffer. The other night he was telling me a story about Bennys two daughters, how one of them was one of those stereotypical hippies, who proclaimed peace, always smoking bud, wearing trippy garments and such and how she’s visit her fathers home occasionally. I remember him specifically telling me that one of the best things that came from Benny, apart from his masterful performances, was his loyalty and involvement with his workers, such as my pops. My pops stayed with him a couple years, and when he told me he knew Benny, it was one of the greatest stories, knowing how much I love this mans music. The King of Swing ladies and gents!
Jeremy Hulin
Thank you for the story..brings the master to life!
jenny_jenny_nc
Blessings to you for sharing this story. And your Father Of course, is a blessed man, like dear Mr. Goodman himself. I still adore this music. Lifelong fan. Best to you & yours. From old North Carolina. . ..Jen.
Richard Warner
My mother asked me to play this for their 50th anniversary in '09. I hadn't touched my clarinet in years, but I had "The Benny Goodman Story" on tape, starring Steve Allen. So, I got the rust out, han an accompaniment, and while it wasn't as nearly as fancy as Benny himself, I got through it, and did OK!! WHEW!!!
Elzbieta Zycinska
ŚWIETNE ...SŁUCHANIE TEGO UTWORU NAJPIĘKNIEJSZY CZAS...DZIEKUJĘ
Chris F
i've always loved this song. such melancholy, such beauty.
Cherie Wright
A great musician - timeless - could listen to Benny's music anytime - love it!
Kenneth Freund
+Cherie Wright This tune along with Moonglow from the 40s never grow old.