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.
body & soul
Benny Goodman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For you I sigh, for you dear only
Why haven't you seen it
I'm all for you body and soul
I spend my days in longing
And wondering why it's me you're wronging
I tell you I mean it
I can't believe it
It's hard to conceive it
That you'd turn away romance
Are you pretending
It looks like the ending
Unless I could have just one more chance to prove, dear
My life a wreck you're making
You know I'm yours for just the taking
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul
My life a wreck you're making
You know I'm yours for the very taking
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul
The lyrics to Benny Goodman Trio's song "Body and Soul" express the deep longing and heartache of unrequited love. The singer is desperately in love with someone who seems to be either unaware of their feelings or purposely ignoring them. The lyrics convey a sense of vulnerability and a willingness to surrender oneself completely to this person. The use of the term "body and soul" further emphasizes the idea of giving oneself completely, both physically and emotionally, to the object of affection.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the song, as the singer expresses their sadness and longing for this person. The second stanza adds a sense of confusion and frustration, as the singer wonders why they are being rejected. The third stanza expresses a desperate plea for one more chance to prove their love. Finally, the last stanza reinforces the singer's willingness to surrender themselves completely to this person, no matter the cost.
Overall, "Body and Soul" is a powerful and emotional song that conveys the intensity of unrequited love. The lyrics are simple yet poignant, and the melody adds to the sense of longing and heartache.
Line by Line Meaning
My heart is sad and lonely
I am afflicted with sorrow and loneliness
For you I sigh, for you dear only
My desire and yearning are only for you
Why haven't you seen it
I wonder why you have not noticed my affection
I'm all for you body and soul
You have captured my entire being and essence
I spend my days in longing
My days are consumed with intense desire
And wondering why it's me you're wronging
I question why you mistreat me
I tell you I mean it
I am earnest in my intentions
I'm all for you body and soul
You have complete ownership of my body and soul
I can't believe it
I am incredulous
It's hard to conceive it
It is difficult to comprehend
That you'd turn away romance
I cannot fathom why you would reject this love
Are you pretending
I wonder if you are feigning emotion
It looks like the ending
It appears that this is the conclusion
Unless I could have just one more chance to prove, dear
I need another opportunity to demonstrate my love, my darling
My life a wreck you're making
You are causing chaos in my life
You know I'm yours for just the taking
You are aware that I am yours to claim
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul
I offer myself willingly to you, entirely and completely
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Edward Heyman, Frank Eyton, John Green, Robert Sour
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SwingCla
Benny Goodman in Japan 1980 <Play List> https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrPaVntmR59ubYcmmeFCbz7NYJStjxm6Q
Julian Ayala
When you play the clarinet, this is one of those people that you look up to. And its people like this that make me proud to play something that can make such an amazing sound.
Hector Ben David
Una verdadera joya, clase, elegancia y hermosa interpretación.
William L Robinson
Great tune done by the Benny Goodman group. This is one of my top 10 great songs.
Papillon
Really nice version of this standard.. The guy really knew his way around his instrument and how to deliver consistently great interpretations. Whenever you see him play, he makes it look almost effortless - the sign of a great artist. Thanks for posting this!
anacrusa86
Los buenos (o geniales en este caso) deberían ser inmortales¡¡¡ Q pena no haber nacido antes para verlo tocar (hacer arte) en directo. Goodman será eterno porque su música jamás morirá¡¡¡
Neil F
Amazing to think that when Benny and Teddy played this concert, I was 17 and in US Navy boot camp. My Mom, who was a huge Benny Goodman fan, would have loved this concert as would I. God bless Benny and Teddy.
miguel ayala
Bella melodia para ser apreciada por todas las generaciones
Marilyn Harryman
This was wonderful to watch and hear. My father idolized Benny Goodman, played clarinet like him, and his favorite song was Body and Soul. He died in a crash at age 40 and I would long for him to hear this - he would be 90! However, it was because I was searching for Eddie Duran whom I saw playing at a party yesterday in Napa and was awestruck to find this gem. Thanks so much for the rendering. Eddie was so humble. So many musicians at the party but none with the experience he has had.
William L Robinson
Benny's music made this world happier!