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.
Whispering
Benny Goodman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gorgeous and dressed in blue
Don't worry I'm not looking at you
Gorgeous and dressed in blue
I know it drives you crazy
When I pretend you don't exist
When I'd like to lean in close
And run my hands against your lips
Still I sense there's a rapport
So whisper me your number
I'll call you up at home
Whisper me your number
I'll call you up at home
Don't worry I'm not looking at you
Don't worry I'm not looking at you
Gorgeous and dressed in blue
Don't worry I'm not looking at you
I know you see me see you
As you see me walk on past
When there's nothing more I'd like to do
Then come in close and hear you laugh
Though we haven't even spoken
Still I sense there's a rapport
So whisper me your number
I'll call you up at home
Yea whisper me your number
I'll call you up at home
Whisper me your number
I'll call you up at home
Hmm whisper me your number
I'll call you up at home
The lyrics of Benny Goodman Quartet's song Whispering depict a shy romantic encounter between two strangers. The singer reassures the person he is interested in that he is not staring at her while admiring her beauty, which is presented through her blue attire. However, the singer longs to be closer to her and to hear her laughter. He conveys his feelings of attraction without direct contact or conversation, but he believes that there is a connection between them. The singer suggests that the woman gives him her phone number so he can call her, and he emphasizes this request by repeating it at the end of the song.
The lyrics present a situation that many can relate to - the fear of rejection and the hope for a romantic connection with someone. The song's gentle and repetitive melody supports its romantic tone, and the use of the verb "whisper" contributes to the song's intimate atmosphere. The lyrics also illustrate how non-verbal communication, like eye contact or sensing a "rapport," can convey messages of attraction and interest.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't worry I'm not looking at you
I acknowledge your presence, but I'm refraining from staring to avoid making you uncomfortable.
Gorgeous and dressed in blue
I can't help but notice how breathtaking you appear in your blue attire.
I know it drives you crazy
I'm aware that my nonchalant behavior may provoke some kind of a response from you.
When I pretend you don't exist
I'm pretending like you don't exist as not to come off as invasive.
When I'd like to lean in close
I'm very much interested in you and I'd like to physically approach you.
And run my hands against your lips
I am fantasizing about caressing your lips with my hands.
Though we haven't even spoken
Even though we have not communicated verbally yet.
Still I sense there's a rapport
I feel there's an underlying connection between us despite not having talked.
So whisper me your number
I request that you share your personal contact details with me discreetly.
I'll call you up at home
I'll make the effort to reach out to you through your phone number.
I know you see me see you
I'm confident that you notice me observing you.
As you see me walk on past
As I continue walking away from you after we cross paths.
When there's nothing more I'd like to do
When nothing else is on my mind other than wanting to connect with you.
Then come in close and hear you laugh
I would love to approach you and make you laugh while being in proximity.
Hmm whisper me your number
Once again, I urge you to whisper me your contact details.
I'll call you up at home
I'll take the initiative to call you through the number you give me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Richard Coburn, Vincent Rose, John Schonberger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@samdanner6806
I love this song. I heard this when I was a child. I am now 68 years old and I still love it..
@wasteofspace20
Dizzy Gillespie does a fascinating remake of this beauty called “Groovin High” from 1955. Check it out and let me know what you think.
@simontaylor2319
The Greatest Jazz combo ever, The Beatles of their day in terms of popularity
@chrisround941
A beautiful arrangement, beautiful music brings tears to my eyes, I’m crying my eyes out.
@Viktor_Bolsov
Benny, you were a good man.
@chrisround941
The best
@SoleilAndalou
Benny Goodman, j'adore : merci pour le partage.🥰🥰🥰❤❤❤🌹🌹🌹🌹
@elis6299
Terrific
@jonstein6868
only knew this tune indirectly (through the BeBop treatment ´Groovin High´), but it´s great to come back to the original and hear such great playing. Thanks for posting!
@JuanFecit
Great band, great recording, and great Teddy Wilson!
Thanks for sharing.