Eckstine was an American jazz singer and bandleader who also played trumpet, valve trombone, and guitar. He also performed briefly as Billy X. Stine. His nickname was Mr. B. Although best known as a singer, his openness to new music made him a strong influence on modern jazz, particularly bebop, as he gave employment to many of the musicians who founded the style.
After singing with the Earl Hines band from 1939 to 1943 he led his own band from 1944 to 1947. The band featured at various times a large number of rising jazz stars, including:
Saxophones: Gene Ammons, Dexter Gordon, Sonny Stitt, Lucky Thompson, Charlie Parker, Wardell Gray, Budd Johnson, Leo Parker
Trumpets: Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Kenny Dorham, Fats Navarro
Drums: Art Blakey
Singers: Lena Horne, Sarah Vaughan
Eckstine later formed an octet, then went solo, becoming a popular ballad singer while remaining an important figure in jazz. His huge, distinctive baritone made him one of the first African American singers to have mainstream success. He was the composer of the blues classic "Jelly, Jelly" and also recorded the R&B top hit "Stormy Monday Blues" in 1942 (not to be confused with T-Bone Walker's 1947 "Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday Is Just As Bad)"). Most of his success as a singer came with ballads, including "Everything I have is Yours", "Blue Moon", "Caravan," "Prisoner of Love," "You Go to My Head," and "That Old Black Magic". His last hit was "Passing Strangers", a duet with Sarah Vaughan released in 1957.
Eckstine was a style leader and noted sharp dresser. He designed and patented a high roll collar that formed a B over a Windsor-knotted tie, which became known as a Mr. B. Collar. In addition to looking cool, the collar expanded and contracted without popping open, which allowed his neck to swell while playing his horns. The collars were worn by many a hipster in the late 1940s and early 1950s.
In 1984, Eckstine recorded his final album, I Am A Singer, featuring beautiful ballads arranged and conducted by Angelo DiPippo.
All the Things You Are
Billy Eckstine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Something to make my heart beat the faster.
What did I long for? I never really knew.
Finding your love I've found my adventure,
Touching your hand, my heart beats the faster,
All that I want in all of this world is you.
[Chorus]
That makes the lonely winter seem long.
You are the breathless hush of evening
That trembles on the brink of a lovely song.
You are the angel glow that lights a star,
The dearest things I know are what you are.
Some day my happy arms will hold you,
And some day I'll know that moment divine,
When all the things you are, are mine!
The lyrics to "All the Things You Are" by Billy Eckstine are a heartfelt ode to love and the adventure that comes with it. The singer has always longed for excitement in his life, but was unsure of what that might be until he found the love of his life. Now that he has, he realizes that all he could ever want or need in this world is her.
The chorus of the song is particularly beautiful and poetic, comparing the singer's love to the promised kiss of springtime that brings hope and joy after a long, lonely winter. Her mere presence is like the breathless hush of evening before a lovely song begins. She is an angelic presence in his life, lighting up everything around her like a star. The singer is aware that some day soon he will hold her in his arms and all of the wonderful things that she is will be his.
Overall, the lyrics of "All the Things You Are" are a beautiful tribute to love and the way in which it can transform even the most mundane experiences into something magical and exciting. The power of the emotion is palpable in every note and every word, making this song a timeless classic that will continue to touch the hearts of listeners for generations to come.
Line by Line Meaning
Time and again I've longed for adventure,
Repeatedly, I have desired a thrilling experience,
Something to make my heart beat the faster.
Something that would accelerate the pulsation of my heart.
What did I long for? I never really knew.
I was unaware of what I was truly seeking.
Finding your love I've found my adventure,
Discovered in your love, I have found the excitement I sought.
Touching your hand, my heart beats the faster,
My heart quickens upon the touch of your hand.
All that I want in all of this world is you.
You are everything I desire in this entire world.
You are the promised kiss of springtime
You are the guarantee of a tender embrace during the spring season.
That makes the lonely winter seem long.
Your affection makes the melancholy winter feel endless.
You are the breathless hush of evening
You are the silent and captivating serenity of nightfall.
That trembles on the brink of a lovely song.
That quivers with the anticipation of an enchanting melody.
You are the angel glow that lights a star,
You are the radiance of an angel illuminating a star.
The dearest things I know are what you are.
The most cherished aspects of existence are embodied in you.
Some day my happy arms will hold you,
At some point, my ecstatic arms will embrace you.
And some day I'll know that moment divine,
At some point, I will experience that spiritual moment of joy.
When all the things you are, are mine!
The moment when all that you embody becomes mine!
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nick Zoohowza
on Jelly, Jelly
The “meaning” of Jelly Jelly seems to have been written by ChatGPT. Surely “jelly”, like “jelly roll” was intended in this song to refer to sex/genitalia, and not something to spread on toast.
Da'chocolate conductor nelfoster u'dig from the chocolate cle city ohio
on Kiss Of Fire
Absolutely Absolutely Absolutely Amazing Grace his voice was"GOD"gift to us class jazz lovers listeners u'dig now can you dig dat baby,baby from da'conductor nelfoster from chocolate cle city ohio chocolate rocks...