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.
Sing Me a Swing Song
Benny Goodman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Feeling the way I am
Any old band'll go bust
If it ain't got that jam
When a body needs a body
On the ballroom floor
Then a body asks a body
Oh baby, I don't want you
To croon soft and mellow
Let me warn you in advance
Sing me a swing song and let me dance
Oh baby, I don't want
Any moon bright and yellow
You can have your sweet romance
Sing me a swing song and let me dance
Mr. Trombone, play some corn
I ain't carin' what notes
Mr. Trumpet, grab a horn
Brother, give me hot notes
Oh baby, I don't want
Any tune on a cello
Give the rhythm men a chance
Sing me a swing song and let me dance
Let me warn you in advance
Sing me a swing song and let me dance
You can have your sweet romance, just
Sing me a swing song and let me dance
Mr. Trombone, play some corn
I ain't carin' what notes
Mr. Trumpet, grab a horn
Brother, give me hot notes
Oh baby, I don't want
Any tune on a cello
Give the rhythm men a chance
Sing me a swing song and let me dance
Old Chick Webb is beatin' it out
Makes me feel like I want to shout
All the boys are ready to prance, so
Sing me a swing song and let me dance
"Sing Me a Swing Song" by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra is a fun, uptempo song that celebrates swing music and dancing. The singer requests a song that's energetic and lively, and encourages the musicians to play with enthusiasm and flair. The lyrics highlight the importance of rhythm and beat in swing music and convey the desire to dance and get lost in the music.
The song encapsulates the joy and spirit of swing music, which was a popular genre in the 1930s and early 1940s. It features a vibrant big band sound with horns and percussion, and the lyrics express a desire to dance and enjoy the music. The verses build up to the chorus, where the singer requests a swing song that will make them want to dance.
The lyrics also showcase the importance of individual musicians in a swing band. Each instrument is highlighted and given a chance to shine, from the trombone to the trumpet to the rhythm section. The song celebrates the talent and virtuosity of musicians, and the way they work together to create a cohesive and exciting sound.
Line by Line Meaning
Give me a song that's robust
I want a lively song
Feeling the way I am
Because of my mood
Any old band'll go bust
Any band that doesn't play good music won't succeed
If it ain't got that jam
If it lacks energy or excitement
When a body needs a body
When someone wants to dance with someone else
On the ballroom floor
In the dancing area
Then a body asks a body
When one dancer asks another
"What's a swing band for?"
What is the point of having a band that can't play swing music?
Oh baby, I don't want you
I don't want a gentle, slow song
To croon soft and mellow
To sing softly and sweetly
Let me warn you in advance
I'm telling you now
Sing me a swing song and let me dance
Play an energetic swing song so I can dance
Any moon bright and yellow
Any romantic slow music won't do
You can have your sweet romance
You can save that lovey-dovey music for someone else
Mr. Trombone, play some corn
Trombone player, play something exciting
I ain't carin' what notes
It doesn't matter which exact notes you play, as long as they sound good
Mr. Trumpet, grab a horn
Trumpet player, pick up your instrument
Brother, give me hot notes
Please play some thrilling music
Give the rhythm men a chance
Let the drummers and other musicians get in on the action
Old Chick Webb is beatin' it out
Chick Webb, the drummer, is playing brilliantly
Makes me feel like I want to shout
I'm so excited, I feel like yelling
All the boys are ready to prance, so
Everyone is ready to dance, so play some swing music
Sing me a swing song and let me dance
For the love of swing music and dancing, play a dynamic swing song
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: HOAGY CARMICHAEL, STANLEY ADAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Dave and Zsa Zsa brought me here
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Benny Goodmam and Helen Ward, Memories, Good Memories !!!! Thank You .
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