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.
Shine On Harvest Moon
Betty Carter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I ain′t had no lovin' since January, February, June or July
Snowtime ain′t no time to stay outdoors and spoon
Shine on, shine on harvest moon for me and my guy!
Shine on, shine on, shine on harvest moon up in the sky
I ain't had no lovin' since January, February, June or July
Snowtime, oh no, ain′t no time to stay outdoors and spoon
Oh shine on, shine on, shine my cares away
Shine on harvest moon for me and my guy!
The lyrics to Betty Carter's song "Shine On Harvest Moon" convey a longing for love and affection in the midst of the cold winter months. The repeated refrain of "shine on, shine on, shine on harvest moon" reflects a desire for a romantic connection, symbolized by the moon's light illuminating the night sky. The mention of not having any "lovin'" since January, February, June, or July highlights the singer's loneliness, as if time has stood still without any affectionate encounters.
The lyrics also emphasize the unsuitability of snowy weather for outdoor romance, implying that the lack of love during these months is due to the unfavorable conditions. However, the singer pleads for the moon to shine on, implying a hope that their love will be rekindled despite the circumstances. There is a sense of yearning and longing for a deeper connection with their partner, as exemplified by the line "shine on harvest moon for me and my guy."
Overall, "Shine On Harvest Moon" captures the yearning for love and warmth during a time when it may be harder to find, using the symbolism of the moon as a guiding light to illuminate the darkness and bring forth affection and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Shine on, shine on, shine on harvest moon up in the sky
Illuminate, illuminate, illuminate the autumn moon in the celestial sphere
I haven't experienced any affection since January, February, June, or July
I have not received any love or affection since the months of January, February, June, or July
Snowtime isn't the appropriate time to remain outdoors and engage in romantic activities
Winter is not a suitable season for outdoor activities and romantic intimacy
Shine on, shine on harvest moon for me and my guy!
Continue shining, continue shining autumn moon for both me and my partner!
Oh shine on, shine on, shine my cares away
Oh please continue to shine and alleviate my worries
Shine on harvest moon for me and my guy!
Continue to illuminate the autumn moon for me and my partner
Writer(s): Jack Norworth, Jeff Richmond, Nora Bayes
Contributed by Mateo D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.