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.
Imagination
Billy Eckstine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It makes the cloudy day sunny
Makes the bee think of honey
Just as I think of you
Imagination is crazy
Your whole perspective gets hazy
Starts you asking a daisy
Have you ever felt the gentle touch
And then a kiss, and then, and then
Find it's only your imagination again
Oh, well
Imagination is silly
You go around willy-nilly
For example, I go around wanting you
And yet I can't imagine that you want me too
Billy Eckstine's "Imagination" is a love song that describes the power of imagination. The lyrics highlight how our thoughts and ideas can completely alter our perception of reality, particularly when it comes to love. The song begins by stating that imagination is funny, and can turn a cloudy day sunny. This is a clear indication that our thoughts and imagination can influence and shape our emotional state.
The second stanza emphasizes how imagination can be crazy, explaining that it can make our whole perspective hazy. As our minds become absorbed in our own thoughts and feelings, we can lose sight of what is real and what is not. The lines "Starts you asking a daisy, what to do, what to do" brings home the point that our imagination can lead us to doubt our own feelings, and leave us uncertain of what steps to take.
The final verse of the song takes a different approach and highlights the silliness of imagination. The lyrics describe a sense of desire and love that is one-sided and unrequited. Despite hoping that the other person reciprocates, there is doubt and uncertainty as to whether their feelings match our own.
Overall, the song is a powerful example of how our imagination can impact how we experience love and relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Imagination is funny
The concept of imagination is amusing.
It makes the cloudy day sunny
The power of imagination can change negative things in a positive way.
Makes the bee think of honey
Imagination can stimulate thoughts of desirable things.
Just as I think of you
The subject of this song is on the artist’s mind.
Imagination is crazy
The impact of imagination can be intense.
Your whole perspective gets hazy
Imagination can cause confusion and disorientation.
Starts you asking a daisy
One may even turn to nature for answers when in the depths of their imagination.
What to do, what to do
When lost in one’s imagination, they may struggle to determine what comes next.
Have you ever felt the gentle touch
Asking the listener if they have ever experienced a specific feeling or sensation.
And then a kiss, and then, and then
Continuing to present a narrative of past experience with a romantic partner.
Find it's only your imagination again
Suggesting that one’s imagination can be deceptive and lead them to believe in a false reality.
Oh, well
An expression of disappointment or resignation after realizing that the imagined situation is not real.
Imagination is silly
The concept of imagination can seem foolish.
You go around willy-nilly
When lost in one’s imagination, they may act in a carefree and reckless manner.
For example, I go around wanting you
The artist admits to having romantic feelings for someone.
And yet I can't imagine that you want me too
The artist cannot fathom that their love interest could reciprocate their feelings.
Lyrics © Freibank Musikverlags und vermarktungs GmbH, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Johnny Burke, Jimmy Van Heusen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
yankiemog
Got to face it, anyone who knew music from 1930 to 1970 lived in a magic world.