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.
I Wanne Be Loved
Billy Eckstine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want to be loved starting tonight
Instead of merely holding conversation
Hold me tight
I want to be kissed until I tingle
I want to be kissed starting tonight
Embrace until our heartbeats intermingle
I feel like acting my age
I'm past the stage of merely turtle doving
(Be careful, be careful what you do)
I'm in no mood to resist
And I insist the world owes me a loving
I want to be thrilled to desperation
I want to be thrilled starting tonight
(Love me, love me, love me)
With every kind of wonderful sensation
I want to be loved
I feel like acting my age
I'm past the stage of merely turtle doving
I'm in no mood to resist
And I insist the world owes me a loving
I want to be thrilled to desperation
I want to be thrilled starting tonight
With every kind of wonderful sensation
I want to be loved
The lyrics of Billy Eckstine’s “I Wanna Be Loved” convey a strong desire for genuine love, passion, and full-body thrills. He doesn't want to engage in casual conversations or playful flirtations. Instead, he seeks a deep emotional and physical connection with another person. He wants someone to hold him tight, not just for the sake of talking but because they long to be with him. He yearns to be kissed passionately, until his body tingles. He wants to be embraced so tightly that his heartbeat synchronizes with that of his lover. Eckstine emphasizes that he is ready for a mature relationship and is no longer interested in trivial flirting. He insists that the world owes him the love he deserves.
In the second verse of the song, Eckstine intensifies his desire for real love. He asks for every kind of wonderful sensation, indicating that he wants to experience love in every way possible. He wants to be thrilled to desperation, suggesting that he wants to fall deeply and emotionally in love. He repeats the phrase “I want to be loved” throughout the song, expressing his deep longing for someone to truly love him for who he is. He recognizes that he is at a stage in his life where he no longer wants to engage in superficial relationships, but wants something that’s more substantial, something that makes him feel alive.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to be loved with inspiration
I want someone to love me with an inspiring and uplifting feeling.
I want to be loved starting tonight
I want someone to start loving me and showing it tonight.
Instead of merely holding conversation
I want someone who will do more than just talk with me.
Hold me tight
I want someone to hold me in their arms tightly and give me a sense of security.
I want to be kissed until I tingle
I want someone to kiss me until my body begins to tingle with pleasure.
Embrace until our heartbeats intermingle
I want someone to hold me so close that our heartbeats become synchronized and our love is stronger.
Wrong or right
I want someone to love me whether we are right or wrong in our decisions.
I feel like acting my age
I want to be taken seriously and not treated like a child.
I'm past the stage of merely turtle doving
I am no longer interested in superficial or shallow relationships.
(Be careful, be careful what you do)
I am warning my potential partner to be careful with my heart and not hurt me.
I'm in no mood to resist
I am ready to let go of my defenses and be vulnerable to love.
And I insist the world owes me a loving
I believe that I deserve to be loved and I will not settle for less.
I want to be thrilled to desperation
I want to experience love to the point where I am thrilled and exhilarated.
With every kind of wonderful sensation
I want to feel every possible wonderful sensation that love can offer.
Love me, love me, love me
I am emphasizing the importance of being loved and showing affection.
I want to be loved
Overall, I desire to be loved fully and completely.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHNNY GENZALE-
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@geraldsachs1325
what a great song and singer
@otrfan84128
What a voice. Beautiful record.
@stfbrasil1989
What is the voice?
@JukeboxBalowski
@Stf Brasil what????