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.
St. Louis Blues
Benny Goodman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hate to see that evening sun go down
Cause my baby, he's gone left this town
Feelin' tomorrow like I feel today
If I'm feelin' tomorrow like I feel today
I'll pack my truck and make my give-a-way
Pulls that man around by her, if it wasn't for her and her
That man I love would have gone nowhere, nowhere
I got the St. Louis blues, blues as I can be
That man's got a heart like a rock cast in the sea
Or else he wouldn't have gone so far from me
I love my baby like a school boy loves his pie
Like a Kentucky colonel loves his mint 'n rye
I love my man till the day I die
Benny Goodman's song, St. Louis Blues, is a classic blues tune that depicts the pain and frustration of a lover who has been abandoned by their partner. This theme is emphasized by the repetition of the lyrics, "I hate to see that evening sun go down, cause my baby, he's gone left this town." The singer is unable to come to terms with the fact that their loved one has left and cannot imagine a future without them.
The second verse continues this theme, as the singer laments feeling the same way tomorrow as they do today, and the thought of leaving town crosses their mind. The third verse introduces a new character, the St. Louis woman with her diamond ring, who seems to be the reason the singer's partner has left. Despite her jealousy, the singer acknowledges that without this woman, their partner would have never found success.
The final verse of the song hammers home the pain of the singer's loss, as they describe their love for their partner as being unflinching and steadfast, even though that person is no longer with them. The repetition of the phrase "I love my baby" gives the song a melancholic, nostalgic feeling, as though the singer is trying to hold on to the memories of their lost love.
Line by Line Meaning
I hate to see that evening sun go down
I feel sad to witness the sunset, as it reminds me of my partner who has left me and the town.
Feelin' tomorrow like I feel today
If I still feel as miserable tomorrow as I do today, I will leave everything and everyone behind.
St. Louis woman with her diamond ring
The woman from St. Louis with her extravagant jewelry has complete control over her partner, and without her, he wouldn't be anyone.
I got the St. Louis blues, blues as I can be
I am consumed with the St. Louis Blues, and it makes me feel incredibly down.
I love my baby like a school boy loves his pie
I cherish my partner deeply, like a young boy would his favorite dessert.
Like a Kentucky colonel loves his mint 'n rye
My affection for my partner is as intense as a Kentucky colonel's love for his whiskey.
I love my man till the day I die
I love my partner with all my heart and will continue to do so until the day I pass away.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: William Christopher Handy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DaveBennettMusician
This is such an awesome version. No one can beat Benny!
@robsongs
the best version!
@beachdog67
This recording is over 80 years old. it was already a teenager when I was born. And I still get goosebumps tracking it.
Jesus, what a band!
@tux49
IMO, this is the best version of "St. Louis Blues". The energy of the band, interspersed with the awesome solos (esp. Harry James) and the response of the audience- great stuff!
@hopeelizabethness
outstanding! makes me wish i could have seen them live. what an amazing performance that would have been to watch. sometimes it sucks to have been born in this era..
@canalromantico5282
Que pena que não existem mais essas grandes bandas. Você ouve e não se cansa, pois as músicas são da melhor qualidade.
@ViktoriaTobias
Listening to this with eyes closed and headphones on maximum volume is the best feeling
@TheBernie2201
It's all been said millions of times......Benny is the greatest!
@bobboscarato1313
Great arrangements by Fletcher Henderson!
@juanmanuelparadacontreras9565
Toda una joya del buen Jazz.