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.
Roll
Benny Goodman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, I got a gal, she lives up on the hill
Well, this woman's tryin' to quit me, Lord, but I love her still
She's got eyes like diamonds, they shine like Klondike gold
She's got eyes like diamonds, they shine like Klondike gold
Ev'ry time she loves me, she sends my mellow soul
Well, you're so beautiful, you've got to die someday
Well, you're so beautiful, you've got to die someday
Pretty baby, I'm goin' away and leave you by yourself
Pretty baby, I'm goin' away and leave you by yourself
You've mistreated me, now you can mistreat somebody else
The lyrics of Benny Goodman and His Orchestra's song "Roll 'em" narrate the story of a man who has a girlfriend who lives up on the hill, but she is trying to quit him. Despite her attempts, he still loves her. The lyrics describe the woman's eyes as shining like Klondike gold, and when she loves him, she sends his soul soaring. The man ultimately acknowledges that his beautiful girlfriend will eventually die, but all he wants is a little loving before she fades away. The song ends with the man telling his girlfriend that he's leaving her because she has mistreated him, and she can now mistreat somebody else.
The song's lyrics effectively capture the common theme of love and loss. The singer finds himself in a dilemma that many people face when they are in love but their partners want out; they try to plea with them to stay but in the end, they have to let go. Despite his love, the man comes to the realization that his girlfriend will eventually leave him, and all he wants is to have some beautiful memories that he can hold dear.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I got a gal, she lives up on the hill
I have a girlfriend who resides high up on the hill
Well, this woman's tryin' to quit me, Lord, but I love her still
My girlfriend wishes to break up with me, but my love for her still remains
She's got eyes like diamonds, they shine like Klondike gold
Her eyes sparkle like diamonds and shine like Klondike gold
Ev'ry time she loves me, she sends my mellow soul
Whenever she loves me, I feel relaxed and at peace
Well, you're so beautiful, you've got to die someday
You are incredibly beautiful, but eventually you will pass away
All I want's a little loving, just before you pass away
All I desire is a little love from you before you depart from this life
Pretty baby, I'm goin' away and leave you by yourself
My dear, I am leaving you alone and going away
You've mistreated me, now you can mistreat somebody else
You have treated me poorly, so now you may treat someone else that way
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Joe Turner, Pete K. H. Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Randy S
Benny Goodman was quite possibly one of the greatest artists of the era. A true masterpiece.
Jack Nason
Not possibly, but in fact one of the greatests!
Gordon Ackerman
Benny was an accomplished classical musician as well as a popular musician. His recording of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto is a landmark, as good as the best.
Louis Mcelwee
Not only composed by Mary Lou Williams but its also her arrangement.
BRONC0WILLY
This is truly great music! I grew up listening to this type of music but not in the 40s! Mom and Dad played it around the house while I was growing up in the 60s. I just can't get enough!
Carol Johnson
Love how they make it jump and pop.
Keeping that tempo light and free and easy.
Suicide Goose
+Carol Johnson Lol I read poop...
James
Hello Carol, how are things going with you?
Millions of Records / Ernie B
Another great version of this can be found on the CD by Benny Goodman, Sid Catlett, Peggy Lee, titled "Roll 'Em! Live In 1941". Also includes brilliant version of Flying Home.
dancebandleader
Good for you! This is one of the great arrangements and performances of the swing era.