Carter was born Lillie Mae Jones on 16th May 1929 in Flint, Michigan and grew up in Detroit, where her father led a church choir. She studied piano at the Detroit Conservatory. She won a talent contest and became a regular on the local club circuit, singing and playing piano. When she was sixteen, she sang with Charlie Parker. She later performed with Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis and toured with Lionel Hampton (from whom she received the nickname "Betty Bebop"), when she perfected her scat singing of bebop.
Her career was eclipsed somewhat during the 1960s and 1970s, though a series of duets with Ray Charles in 1961, including the R&B-chart-topping "Baby, It's Cold Outside", brought her a measure of popular recognition. She recorded for various labels during this period, including Peacock, ABC-Paramount, and Atco, but was rarely satisfied with the resulting product. An episode in which a record company A&R man tried to abscond with a set of her master recordings led her to establish her own record label, Bet-Car, in 1970. Some of her most outstanding recordings were first issued on Bet-Car, including the double album The Audience with Betty Carter (1980). She was well-received at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1977 and 1978. In 1987 Carter signed with Verve Records. She won a Grammy in 1988 for her album Look What I Got! and sang in a guest appearance on The Cosby Show in that year.
She died on 26th September 1998.
One Note Samba
Betty Carter Lyrics
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Just one single note is sounded and repeated constantly
Well, my love is like that samba with that simple melody
Just one single, steady feeling that′s repeated constantly
That's the way my love is like the sun that shine above
Is ever burning a constant fire, I will leave you never
For I know that you′ll forever be returning my great desire
And my single note's repeated for my love is constant, too
Yes, if ever I should leave you, I would cry awhile and then
I′d return to you, my true love and my single note again
That′s the way my love is like the sun that shine above
Is ever burning a constant fire, I will leave you never
For I know that you'll forever be returning my great desire
So my single note′s a symbol of the love I have for you
And my single note's repeated for my love is constant, too
Yes, if ever I should leave you, I would cry awhile and then
I′d return to you, my true love and my single note again
I'd return to you, my true love and my single note again
I′d return to you, my true love and my single note again
The lyrics to Betty Carter's song "One Note Samba" speak of a love that is simple yet constant, much like the melody of a samba in Brazil. The song compares this love to the sun that shines above, ever burning with a constant fire. The singer expresses that their love is like a single note, symbolizing the depth of their feelings and the constancy of their affection. The repetition of this single note reflects the endurance of their love. Even if they were to temporarily part, they would always return to each other, just like the recurring single note in the samba.
The lyrics convey a sense of devotion and unwavering love. The use of the samba as a metaphor highlights the song's connection to Brazilian culture and music, adding a vibrant and joyful element to the portrayal of love. Overall, "One Note Samba" emphasizes the simplicity and consistency of love, capturing both its enduring nature and the singer's commitment to their partner.
Line by Line Meaning
In Brazil, they have a samba with a simple melody
The samba in Brazil is known for its straightforward, uncomplicated tune
Just one single note is sounded and repeated constantly
Only one note is played repeatedly throughout the song, creating a consistent rhythm
Well, my love is like that samba with that simple melody
My love resembles the samba with its uncomplicated and unchanging nature
Just one single, steady feeling that's repeated constantly
My love is characterized by a singular and unwavering emotion that persists continuously
That's the way my love is like the sun that shine above
My love resembles the radiant and unceasing nature of the sun
Is ever burning a constant fire, I will leave you never
My love burns eternally and remains steadfast; I will never abandon you
For I know that you'll forever be returning my great desire
I am certain that your love for me will always be reciprocated, fueling my intense longing
So my single note's a symbol of the love I have for you
The single note symbolizes the depth and intensity of my love for you
And my single note's repeated for my love is constant, too
I repeat the single note to mirror the constancy and unwavering nature of my love
Yes, if ever I should leave you, I would cry awhile and then
If by any chance I had to depart from you, I would mourn temporarily and then
I'd return to you, my true love and my single note again
I would come back to you, my genuine love, and resume playing the single note
I'd return to you, my true love and my single note again
I would come back to you, my genuine love, and resume playing the single note
Writer(s): Antonio Carlos Brasileiro De Almeida Jobim, Newton Ferreira De Mendonca
Contributed by Eva A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.