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.
Blue Christmas
Billy Eckstine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll be so blue just thinking about you
Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
Won't mean a thing, if you're not here with me
And when those blue snowflakes start fallin'
That's when those blue memories start callin'
You'll be doin' all right, with your Christmas of white,
I'll have a Blue Christmas that's certain
And when that blue heartache starts hurtin'
You'll be doin' all right, with your Christmas of white,
But I'll have a blue, blue, blu, blue Christmas
The song "Blue Christmas" by Billy Eckstine talks about the sadness of spending the holidays without a loved one. The lyrics convey the sense of loneliness and longing that one feels during the festive season without the person they care about. The first verse describes how everything related to the festive season, such as the decorations on the tree, loses its meaning when someone is not there to share it with. The second verse talks about the memories that keep coming back, especially when the snowflakes start falling. It highlights the pain and heartache that one feels, knowing that they won't be able to spend the holiday season with their loved one.
The chorus, "You'll be doin' alright, with your Christmas of white, but I'll have a blue, blue Christmas," shows how the other person may be enjoying the festive season, but for the person singing these lyrics, it won't be the same without them. The repetition of the word 'blue' emphasizes the loneliness and sadness that they feel, and the final line of the chorus repeats the word 'blue' four times, emphasizing how much they miss their loved one.
Overall, the song "Blue Christmas" is a touching reminder of the importance of being with the one you love during the festive season. The lyrics talk about how even the brightest and happiest of times can be overshadowed by a sense of loss and loneliness.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll have a Blue Christmas without you
I will have a sad and lonely Christmas because you won't be with me to share the joy.
I'll be so blue just thinking about you
I will feel depressed and melancholy because I cannot have you by my side during this festive season.
Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
The colorful ornaments and embellishments on the Christmas tree don't matter to me as much as your presence would have.
Won't mean a thing, if you're not here with me
The decorations and the festive atmosphere would fail to cheer me up if I have to spend the holiday season without you.
And when those blue snowflakes start fallin'
When I see the blue snowflakes fall outside, it reminds me of the happy times we spent together during previous Christmases.
That's when those blue memories start callin'
My mind will drift off to memories of our happy times and those very fond moments will bring a feeling of sadness and blue sentiments.
You'll be doin' all right, with your Christmas of white,
You will be happy and content, having a beautiful white Christmas with or without me.
But I'll have a blue, blue Christmas
I will have a sad and lonely Christmas and be stuck with blue emotions that will remind me of your absence.
I'll have a Blue Christmas that's certain
I am sure that I will have a Christmas that won't be joyous but filled with sadness because you will not be there.
And when that blue heartache starts hurtin'
I will feel a great sense of pain and heartache because the person who played a big part in bringing joy to my life is not with me on this special occasion.
But I'll have a blue, blue, blu, blue Christmas
I will be plagued with sadness and melancholy feelings throughout the holiday season, making it a blue Christmas.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Billy Hayes, Jay Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@therussiandragon616
First time listening to this. Elvis certainly took it and ran.