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.
What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry?
Benny Goodman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm sorry sweetheart and yet
Though you shouldn't be lenient with me
I hope you'll forgive and forget
What can I say, dear, after I say I'm sorry?
What can I do to prove it to you, I'm sorry?
I didn't mean to ever be mean to you
I was all wrong but right or wrong I don't blame you
Why should I take somebody like you and shame you
I know that I made you cry, and I'm so sorry dear
So what can I say, dear, after I say I'm sorry?
You made me glad, I made you sad
I made you lonesome and blue
And who ever knew
Who'd ever think that I would be crying to you
What can I say, dear, after I say I'm sorry?
What can I do to prove it to you, I'm sorry?
I didn't mean to ever be mean to you
If I didn't care I wouldn't feel like I do
I was all wrong but right or wrong I don't blame you
Why should I take somebody like you and shame you
I know that I made you cry, and I'm so sorry dear
So what can I say, dear, after I say I'm sorry?
The lyrics to Benny Goodman's "What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry?" are a heartfelt apology to a loved one for causing them pain and sadness. The first verse acknowledges that the singer's actions have caused their sweetheart to cry and apologizes for it. The second verse explores the feeling of guilt and regret that the singer experiences, and they ask what they can do to prove their sincerity and make amends. They express genuine remorse for their behavior and recognize the hurt that they've caused.
The repetition of the question "What can I say?" reflects the singer's feelings of helplessness and uncertainty about how to make things right. They acknowledge that their apology alone may not be enough, but they hope that their loved one will forgive them and move forward with their relationship. The lyrics also highlight the complexity of relationships and the ups and downs that come with them. The singer reflects on how they made their loved one feel sad and lonesome, but also recognizes the unexpected turn of events that has led them to seek comfort and reconciliation from the one they hurt.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know why, I made you cry
I regret making you upset, but I'm not exactly sure why I did it.
I'm sorry sweetheart and yet
I apologize and admit my fault, but it doesn't excuse what I did.
Though you shouldn't be lenient with me
I understand that I don't deserve forgiveness easily or quickly.
I hope you'll forgive and forget
I pray that you can forgive me and move on from this painful moment.
What can I say, dear, after I say I'm sorry?
How can I make things right again after asking for forgiveness?
What can I do to prove it to you, I'm sorry?
What actions can I take to show you that I'm truly remorseful?
I didn't mean to ever be mean to you
I never intended to hurt or harm you in any way.
If I didn't care I wouldn't feel like I do
My strong emotions show how much I truly care about you despite my mistakes.
I was all wrong but right or wrong I don't blame you
I realize that I was completely wrong in my actions, and I don't blame you for feeling hurt.
Why should I take somebody like you and shame you
I feel terrible knowing that I caused you to feel ashamed or embarrassed.
I know that I made you cry, and I'm so sorry dear
I am aware that my actions caused you pain, and I'm deeply sorry for that.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WALTER DONALDSON, ABE LYMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Kirby
This is from BG in HiFi recorded in 1954: my first of a zillion Goodman albums.