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.
If
Billy Eckstine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I had everything I'd still be a slave to you
If I ruled the night, stars and moon so bright
Still I'd turn for light to you
If the world to me bowed yet humbly I'd flee to you
If my friends were a crowd I'd turn in my need to you
If I ruled the earth what would life be worth
If I ruled the night, stars and moon so bright
Still I'd turn for light to you
If the world to me bowed yet humbly I'd flee to you
If my friends were a crowd I'd turn in my need to you
If I ruled the earth what would life be worth
If I hadn't the right to you
The lyrics of Billy Eckstine's song "If" speak of a love that transcends even the highest positions of power and material wealth. The singer sings that even if he were made a king or had everything he could possibly desire, he would still be a slave to the object of his affection. He praises this person's worth by saying that even if he ruled the night and had everything the world could offer, he would still turn to this person for light and meaning in his life. Additionally, even if the singer were to have countless friends or rule over the earth, life would be meaningless without this person. The singer's love is all-consuming and he would give up anything for this love.
The song can be interpreted as a commentary on the human condition and the importance of love in our lives. The singer's love for this person is what gives his life meaning and he would be lost without it. This sentiment is universal, as everyone seeks love and purpose in their lives. The song paints a picture of a love that is all-encompassing, all-consuming, and everlasting.
Overall, Billy Eckstine's "If" is a beautiful love song that speaks to the depths of the human heart. The lyrics convey the idea that love is the most valuable thing in life, even above power, wealth, and material possessions.
Line by Line Meaning
If they made me a king I'd be but a slave to you
Even if I was put in a position of power, I would still be loyal to you and subject to your will.
If I had everything I'd still be a slave to you
Even if I possessed the world, I would still submit to your desires and needs.
If I ruled the night, stars and moon so bright
Still I'd turn for light to you
Even if I had control over the beauty of the night, I would still look to you as the light of my life.
If the world to me bowed yet humbly I'd flee to you
If the whole world worshipped me, I would still pursue you with humility.
If my friends were a crowd I'd turn in my need to you
Even if I was surrounded by a multitude of friends, I would still lean on you in my times of need.
If I ruled the earth what would life be worth
If I hadn't the right to you
If I had dominion over the entire world, it would be meaningless without having you by my side.
If I ruled the night, stars and moon so bright
Still I'd turn for light to you
Once again, even if I had power over the beauty of the night, my ultimate source of light would still be you.
If the world to me bowed yet humbly I'd flee to you
This refrain emphasizes that despite everything in the world, the singer would still choose humility and seek comfort with the one he loves.
If my friends were a crowd I'd turn in my need to you
The repetition of this line emphasizes the importance of seeking support from the people we love, no matter who else is in our lives.
If I ruled the earth what would life be worth
If I hadn't the right to you
Finally, the song culminates in the idea that life is only worth living when we have the love of the person who means everything to us.
Contributed by Henry B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Walter Gray
I love this song, and I love this rendition of it.
Thank you for sharing.
roscoe c. tarver
Love this song
Sara R Henry
The best music played during Tal Henry and I Sara R Henry dated,