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.
Everything I Have Is Yours
Billy Eckstine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The more I can see
My love is yours alone
You came and captured
A heart that was free
Now there's nothing I can call my own
Everything I have is yours, you're part of me
I would gladly give the sun to you
If the sun were only mine
I would gladly give the earth to you
And the stars that shine
Everything that I possess, I offer you
That my dream of happiness come true
I'd be happy just to spend my life
Waiting at your beck and call
Everything I have is yours
My life, my all
Everything that I possess, I offer you
That my dream of happiness come true
I'd be happy just to spend my life
Waiting at your beck and call
Everything I have is yours
My life, my all
The lyrics of Billy Eckstine's song "Everything I Have Is Yours" express the depth of the singer's love and devotion towards his significant other. The more Eckstine is with his lover, the more he realizes that his love is solely for them. His heart was once free, but it now belongs to his lover who captured it. The singer promises to give everything he has to his lover because they are a part of him, even his destiny.
Eckstine's promise to give his lover the sun, the earth, and the stars that shine illustrates the extent of his love and dedication. He is willing to give up the universe for his lover, and everything that he possesses, including his life, is theirs. The singer is willing to do everything in his power to make his lover happy, expressing his happiness just to be at their beck and call. The lyrics paint a picture of an unconditional and passionate love that surpasses boundaries and sacrifices everything for the sake of the other.
Line by Line Meaning
The more I'm with you
I realize more and more how much I love being in your company
The more I can see
Through spending time with you, I understand more about myself and how I feel for you
My love is yours alone
I have given my heart to you completely, and my love is only for you
You came and captured
You won my heart and made me fall deeply in love with you
A heart that was free
Before I met you, I was unattached and had not found someone who I felt this strongly for
Now there's nothing I can call my own
Since falling in love with you, I have given myself fully to you and have nothing left that is exclusively mine
Everything I have is yours, you're part of me
I have given my all to you and feel like we are one united entity
Everything I have is yours, my destiny
My fate is tied to the love and connection I have with you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you
I would gladly give the sun to you
I would do anything to make you happy and would give you anything that was in my power, no matter how big
If the sun were only mine
I know I can't give you the actual sun, but if it was something I could control, I would give it to you in a heartbeat
I would gladly give the earth to you
You mean that much to me, that I would give you everything, even the planet we live on
And the stars that shine
I would give you everything and anything that is beautiful, just like you
That my dream of happiness come true
All I want is for you to be happy, and I will do anything to make that happen
I'd be happy just to spend my life
Being with you brings me so much joy, that I don't need anything else besides your love and companionship
Waiting at your beck and call
I am always here for you, and will do anything you need or want because my love for you is unconditional
Everything I have is yours
I have given everything to you, and will continue to do so because of how strongly I feel for you
My life, my all
You are everything to me, and I would give my life for you if necessary
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, ONErpm, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Burton Lane, Harold Adamson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bud Lehn
I had the pleasure of seeing Billy in the 70's. Handsome man, great dresser, and terrific singer. Magic.
harry bolster
Billy Eckstine is one of my favorite singers--I'm 83 and sing the old beautiful songs on YouTube--Here are three of my favorite Billy Eckstine songs: I Apologize (my version is on YouTube), Tenderly (my version is recorded and waiting to be put on YouTube) and Everything I Have Is Yours (my version will be recorded soon). Let's keep the old music easily available for all to enjoy. And thanks direfranchement for sharing!!
Bob Rivers
+harry bolster bobby rivers im 84 and he was one of my favorites great memories
Linn Turner
I remember hearing this as a little girl. My Mom always listened to the radio. Glad I was exposed to really great music such as this. Billy Eckstine voice silky smooth and deep.
Grew into a jazz buff later in life. Glad this great music influenced me in my listening choices. I am thrilled to be able to pull these old singers and songs up and drift off again.
Susan Dhifaoui
ahhh. this voice could cut through cold butter. so warm, so rich. I remember hearing this song when I was a little girl and from that moment on, I have been a fan. thank you Mr. Eckstine for your gift
Barry Schlesinger
The best in his era. Underrated talent. Now Billy is singing for the angels,
Jay Young
Barry Schlesinger Interesting that he and his look a like, Lena Horne, never did a duet together, both having lived in the same town, Pittsburgh!
ummglick
Pure voice of the one and only.Incomparable!
Cleat Dobbins
It just doesnt get ANY BETTER than this!!!!!! FANTASTIC!!! I worked with him many years ago. He was in his seventies and I was in my early twenties and he let me hang with he and his buddies all night after his concert because he was so impressed that someone my age new everything about him and his music! It's a night I'll never forget Mr. B!! I was in heaven!
Sara R Henry
Billy Eckstine had beautiful harmony in so many of his songs. Also, a very wide of span in his voice...way about the 10th to almost a 16th on the piano.