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.
Be My Love
Billy Eckstine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This need that you and you alone create
Just fill my arms the way you've filled my dreams
The dreams that you inspire with ev'ry sweet desire
Be my love, and with your kisses set me burning
One kiss is all I need to seal my fate
And hand in hand, we'll find love's promised land
There'll be no one but you, for me eternally
Be my love, for no one else can end this yearning
This need that you and you alone create
Just fill my arms the way you've filled my dreams
The dreams that you inspire with ev'ry sweet desire
Be my love, and with your kisses set me burning
One kiss is all I need to seal my fate
And hand in hand, we'll find love's promised land
There'll be no one but you, for me eternally
In Billy Eckstine's song "Be My Love," the lyrics express an intense desire and longing for a specific person. The singer asks this person to be their love, noting that no one else can satisfy this yearning they feel. The person in question has inspired the singer's dreams, and the mere thought of them makes the singer burn with passion. To the singer, one kiss from this person will seal their fate and lead them to a promised land of love, where they will be together eternally.
The song is a classic example of romantic ballads from the mid-20th century, with its slow tempo, lush orchestration, and heartfelt lyrics. Its simple melody and rich, emotive vocal delivery by Eckstine create a sense of intimacy and vulnerability, drawing the listener into the singer's experience of love and desire.
Overall, "Be My Love" is a heartfelt plea for true love and intimacy, expressed with passion and sincerity. Its timeless themes and classic musical style have made it a beloved standard in the American songbook.
Line by Line Meaning
Be my love, for no one else can end this yearning
Please be my love as no one else can stop my longing for you.
This need that you and you alone create
The feeling of desire is caused only by you and nothing else.
Just fill my arms the way you've filled my dreams
I want you to hold me close like you have been in my dreams.
The dreams that you inspire with ev'ry sweet desire
My dreams are filled with you and every desire I have is because of you.
Be my love, and with your kisses set me burning
Please be my love and let your kisses ignite the flames of passion within me.
One kiss is all I need to seal my fate
All it takes is one kiss from you to determine my destiny.
And hand in hand, we'll find love's promised land
Together, we will discover the place where true love resides.
There'll be no one but you, for me eternally
I want to spend eternity with only you by my side.
If you will be my love
If you choose to become my love.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Nikolaus Brodszky, Sammy Cahn
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...