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.
In the Still of the Night
Billy Eckstine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As I gaze from my window
At the Moon in its flight
My thoughts all stray to you
In the still of the night
While the world is in slumber
Oh, the times without number
Do you love me as I love you
Are you my life to be, my dream come true
Or will this dream of mine fade out of sight
Like the Moon growing dim on the rim of the hill
In the chill, still of the night
The lyrics to Billy Eckstine's song In The Still of the Night are about love and longing. The singer is looking out of his window at the moon while thinking about a special someone. He wonders if they feel the same way that he does, asking them if they love him as much as he loves them. The lyrics convey a sense of yearning and uncertainty, as the singer worries that his dream of being with the person he loves might not come true.
The first verse creates a vivid image of a quiet night as the singer gazes out of his window. He is lost in his thoughts, which inevitably turn to the person he loves. The second verse contrasts the stillness of the night with the world around him, which is in slumber. The singer has likely been awake for some time, unable to sleep due to his feelings for this person. The chorus then expresses his desire to be with them, using the moon as a metaphor for the potential of their love. However, he fears that this dream might not come true, and the moon could fade away like a dying hope.
Overall, the lyrics to In The Still of the Night are poignant and emotive, conveying the uncertainty and longing that are often a part of falling in love.
Line by Line Meaning
In the still of the night
During the silent, lonely hours of the night
As I gaze from my window
Looking out into the dark sky from a window
At the Moon in its flight
Watching the Moon moving through the sky
My thoughts all stray to you
Thinking of a loved one while alone
While the world is in slumber
While everything around is asleep and quiet
Oh, the times without number
The many times I've thought and felt this way
Darling, when I say to you
When I ask you this question
Do you love me as I love you
Do you have the same depth of love for me that I have for you?
Are you my life to be, my dream come true
Will you be the person who makes my life complete?
Or will this dream of mine fade out of sight
Will my dream of a loving relationship disappear?
Like the Moon growing dim on the rim of the hill
Just like the Moon becomes less bright and fades away in the distance
In the chill, still of the night
During the cold, quiet hours of the night
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Cloud9, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joeasmythe
Back in the day, Mr. B. was our idol. He made our frat parties romantic and we all were in love with life.
@pierabergamaschi5576
Bella canzone e.bellissimo VIDEO!!👌👏🐦💝
@albertgerace9737
A classic favorite of mine and many others i'm sure! GREAT sound and style!
@MrMonroman
He's just got a magic, different type of voice...I love it.
@casamurphy
I'd give my right arm to be able to sing like this. Also, notice that this arrangement was by Quincy Jones,wow! I just love the way the band does the little "bada bada da whaa whaa" after the applause...pure class!
@bklynrizz714
Greatest male voice ever.
@MrSandamiani
Me to, absolutly the best!
@ronbullman7788
Memorys of when singers could sing
@lindakarp5980
Seriously!!!!!
@paulgentile1024
beyond incredible