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.
You
Benny Goodman Lyrics
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Every sunset too
Seems to be, bringing me
Memories of you
Here and there, every where
Scenes that we once knew
And they all, just recall
(Oh) How I wish I could forget those, (those) happy yesteryears
That have left a rosary of tears
Your face beams,in my dreams
(In) Spite of all (that) I do
(And) Everything,seems to bring
Memories of you
The lyrics of the song "Memories of You" portray a person who is unable to forget their past and move on with their life. The character wakes up to the sunrise and goes to bed with the sunset, and everything in between seems to remind them of their past. They reminisce about the different places they have visited with their loved one, and all those scenes trigger their memories of the person they once loved. The singer tries to move on and forget those happy moments they once shared but finds it impossible. They even dream of their loved one, and everything they do seems to be a reminder of their past.
The lyrics of the song "Memories of You" are about the lasting pain of lost love. The song's message is clear, and it speaks to people who have experienced heartbreak and are trying to come to terms with it. It's a reminder that even when one tries to forget someone, memories of their time spent with that person will linger on. It's a classic example of how music can connect with people's emotions and the impact it has on people's lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Waking skies, at sunrise
As the sun rises each day, the world awakens to remind me of the memories I have of you
Every sunset too
As the sun sets each day, it brings with it memories of you
Seems to be, bringing me
It feels as though the world is intentionally bringing me memories of you
Memories of you
The memories of you are ever-present in my mind and heart
Here and there, every where
No matter where I go, memories of you follow me
Scenes that we once knew
The places and moments we shared together come flooding back to me
And they all, just recall
Everything around me reminds me of you, bringing back vivid memories
Memories of you
The memories of you are constant, always present in my memories
(Oh) How I wish I could forget those, (those) happy yesteryears
While memories of you bring me joy, I sometimes wish I could forget them to end the pain
That have left a rosary of tears
The memories of you have caused me to shed many tears
Your face beams,in my dreams
Even in my dreams, you are ever-present and bring happiness to my sleep
(In) Spite of all (that) I do
Despite trying to forget or move on, I cannot escape memories of you
(And) Everything,seems to bring
All that surrounds me triggers memories of you and the moments we shared
Memories of you
The memories of you are inescapable and fill my heart and mind constantly
Lyrics © SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC., BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Andy Razaf, Eubie Blake
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ronnie Woods Bellmont Sound's
The nuances in this version are absolutely spot on, this is without doubt the best rendition of a jazz classic.
Pedro Bodden Bodden
Al escuchar estas sutiles melodías sentimos que vale la pena vivir
Adrian Silva
Listen to this story... My old man, was an immigrant back in the 60s. He came here alone, as a teen and sought out the American Dream, just like any immigrant. Throughout the course of his life, growing up in NYC, he obtained a job as Benny Goodmans Chauffer. The other night he was telling me a story about Bennys two daughters, how one of them was one of those stereotypical hippies, who proclaimed peace, always smoking bud, wearing trippy garments and such and how she’s visit her fathers home occasionally. I remember him specifically telling me that one of the best things that came from Benny, apart from his masterful performances, was his loyalty and involvement with his workers, such as my pops. My pops stayed with him a couple years, and when he told me he knew Benny, it was one of the greatest stories, knowing how much I love this mans music. The King of Swing ladies and gents!
Jeremy Hulin
Thank you for the story..brings the master to life!
jenny_jenny_nc
Blessings to you for sharing this story. And your Father Of course, is a blessed man, like dear Mr. Goodman himself. I still adore this music. Lifelong fan. Best to you & yours. From old North Carolina. . ..Jen.
Richard Warner
My mother asked me to play this for their 50th anniversary in '09. I hadn't touched my clarinet in years, but I had "The Benny Goodman Story" on tape, starring Steve Allen. So, I got the rust out, han an accompaniment, and while it wasn't as nearly as fancy as Benny himself, I got through it, and did OK!! WHEW!!!
Elzbieta Zycinska
ŚWIETNE ...SŁUCHANIE TEGO UTWORU NAJPIĘKNIEJSZY CZAS...DZIEKUJĘ
Chris F
i've always loved this song. such melancholy, such beauty.
Cherie Wright
A great musician - timeless - could listen to Benny's music anytime - love it!
Kenneth Freund
+Cherie Wright This tune along with Moonglow from the 40s never grow old.