Started as a mere musical joke for friends, the trio became popular on the clubbing stage in St.Petersburg (2002) and Moscow (2003). Their program combines cover versions of Tom Waits’ songs, author’s compositions, American Gothic, own life experiences, stories told by friends and urban mythology. The Billy’s Band musicians call their style Funeral Dixieland with an Infinite Happy End. ... See their official website: http://www.billysband.ru/
Tackling anything by Tom Waits is like wrestling an alligator: do it well and you`ve got a new pair of shoes:, screw up and you`re dead, Jack. Describing themselves as a Dixiland funeral with an infinite happy end, Billy`s band is on the fringe in its St.Petersburg home and will be on the fringe of the fringe here. Bandleader, Billy Novik heard Waits` “Early Years, vol.1”, and that is all she wrote. Novik barks gruff and hip (in Russian and English) just like Waits – or perhaps Cookie Monster on a vodka bender. A great deal of the band`s repertoire is Waits` stuff, and when the band ventures out on its own, the genius, the oddity, and the antiquated charm still shines, just like those alligator shoes I was talking about.
Billy's Band, the Tom Waits-inspired outfit from St. Petersburg, Russia, was held up at the Canadian border Friday while on its way to the Rochester International Jazz Festival. But fest co-producer John Nugent, who has a lot of experience in dealing with passport issues and paper problems, managed to talk the guys into the country in time for their shows at Max of Eastman Place. Safely onstage, they stole the night with their blend of beat-poet ballads, off-kilter rhythms and comedic timing. CDs were snapped up by consumers hungry for the band's brand of compelling weirdness. All of the English-language ones were gone by the second show, but I bought two, anyway: Anybody out there speak Russian?
The word on the street, which I picked up rather late, was that the guys from St. Petersburg, Russia were tearing down the house over at Max. Having had plenty of straight-ahead jazz from the Hammers, I left early to see what the fuss was about. And now, after the fact, I'm kicking myself that I didn't heed the advice sooner.
Billy's Band is like a combined Dixieland and polka band that plays almost jazzy. When you hear a big smash, it's one of the dudes crashing cymbals over his head to a crazy march. The lead singer/bassist (yeah, it's a bassist heading the ship) Billy Novik has a voice that can only be compared to Louis Armstrong. It's gritty and feels like it comes straight out of his gut. But he's a funny little white guy with a funny hat and even funnier stories about being told the difference between a bass and a coffin ("the dead guy's inside of the coffin").
They were wearing worn-down trench coats and no shirts, letting their bellies show for everyone. You might call them strange, but just call them special. They were that kind of underground street band that's got oodles of talent, but you don't want them to be too big because that dark atmosphere really suits their style. The crowd went wild for these guys, bringing them out for an encore and standing ovation. might pick up a CD tomorrow -- they were that good.
If Thursday night is the unofficial start of the weekend, Friday is the real thing. Go out, enjoy the late-night stuff. If any of Billy's Band gets up there, I'm gonna be lovin' it.
Ice creAm man
Billy's Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With a sidewalk sundae, strawberry surprise
I got a cherry popsicle right on time
I got a big stick, mama, that blow your mind
'Cause I'm your ice cream man
Yes, I'm a one-man band
I'm your ice cream man
Baby, missed me in the alley, baby, don't you fret
I'll be coming back around and don't forget
When you're tired and you're hungry, you want something cool
You know I got something better than swimming pool
Yes, I'm your ice cream man
Yes, I'm a one-man band
I'm your ice cream man
Honey, I'll be good to you
Well, if you see me coming, you got no change
Don't worry baby, it can be arranged
Show me you can smile, honey, just for me
And I'll fix you with a drumstick and do it for free
'Cause I'm your ice cream man
Yes, I'm a one-man band
I'm your ice cream man
Honey, I'll be good to you
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, I'm your ice cream man
I'm the one-man band
I'm your ice cream man
Honey, I'll be good to you
Yeah, I'm your ice cream man
I'm the one-man band
I'm the ice cream man
Honey, I'll be good to you
I'm the ice cream man
Yes, I'm a one-man band
I'm the ice cream man
Honey, I'll be good to you
I'm the ice cream man
I'm the one-man band
I'm the ice cream man
Honey, I'll be good to you
I'll be good to you
I'll be good to you, yeah
I'll be good to you
...
The lyrics to Billy's Band's song "Ice Cream Man" evoke nostalgia for a simpler time when the neighborhood ice cream truck was a treat. In the first verse, the ice cream man comes by on his daily route with a range of frozen desserts, including a cherry popsicle that the singer is excited to try. He promises that his frozen treats will "blow [your] mind" and sets himself up as a "one-man band" who can provide all the entertainment and treats you need.
In the second verse, the ice cream man assures listeners that he'll be back if they miss him the first time. He knows that sometimes you need a cold treat to beat the heat and hunger, and he can provide something even better than a swimming pool. The ice cream man is a friendly and reliable presence in the neighborhood, and he seems to take pride in bringing joy to his customers.
In the final verse, the ice cream man offers a solution for those who don't have any money to pay for their ice cream. He encourages them to smile at him and promises to give them a drumstick for free. His motto seems to be that everyone deserves a cool treat, regardless of their financial situation.
Overall, "Ice Cream Man" is a fun and upbeat song that celebrates the simple pleasures of childhood.
Line by Line Meaning
Click by your house about two forty-five
I will arrive near your house around 2:45pm
With a sidewalk sundae, strawberry surprise
I have a dessert consisting of ice cream and strawberries that I can serve you
I got a cherry popsicle right on time
I have a cherry-flavored frozen treat available when you need it
I got a big stick, mama, that blow your mind
I have an impressive frozen dessert on a stick that will amaze you
'Cause I'm your ice cream man
I am the one who provides you with delicious frozen treats
Yes, I'm a one-man band
I am the sole provider of these treats, like a one-man musical group
Honey, I'll be good to you, yeah
I will treat you kindly and provide you with tasty treats
Baby, missed me in the alley, baby, don't you fret
If you did not see me in the alley, don't worry, I will come back around
I'll be coming back around and don't forget
I will return to your area so you can get your frozen treat fix
When you're tired and you're hungry, you want something cool
If you're feeling fatigued and need refreshment, frozen treats will cool you down
You know I got something better than swimming pool
I can provide a more enjoyable experience than swimming in a pool
Well, if you see me coming, you got no change
If you cannot afford my frozen treats, I will work with you to find a solution
Don't worry baby, it can be arranged
Do not worry, we can work out a way for you to enjoy my treats
Show me you can smile, honey, just for me
I would appreciate it if you smiled at me in exchange for a frozen treat
And I'll fix you with a drumstick and do it for free
I will give you a free ice cream cone if you smile at me
Yeah, yeah, yeah
This is a meaningless interjection used for emphasis or enthusiasm
I'm the ice cream man
I am the provider of delicious frozen treats
I'll be good to you
I will treat you kindly and provide you with tasty treats
Contributed by Amelia K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
FrenchFigaro
Goddammit ! this cover is just...Awsome is not enough ! MORE !
k0ndem0r
Wow...Brilliant.thanks for sharing.
Foersterderwotollist
so great, go on
fred flinstone
Meh. Voice seems forced, not natural.