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.
Isn't This A Lovely Day
Billy Eckstine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The thunder and lightning
Seem to be having their way
But as far as I'm concerned, it's a lovely day
The turn in the weather
Will keep us together
So I can honestly say
That as far as I'm concerned, it's a lovely day
Isn't this a lovely day
To be caught in the rain?
You were going on your way
Now you've got to remain
Just as you were going, leaving me all at sea
The clouds broke, they broke and oh!
What a break for me
I can see the sun up high
Tho' we're caught in the storm
I can see where you and i
Could be cozy and warm
Let the rain pitter patter
But it really doesn't matter
If the skies are gray
Long as I can be with you it's a lovely day
The song Isn't This a Lovely Day is originally composed by Irving Berlin and performed by Billy Eckstine and Sarah Vaughan. The song begins with a description of the stormy weather, which, from the perspective of the singer, in no way takes away from the loveliness of the day. The singer is presumably in the company of a person they care about, and the storm, instead of driving them apart, ends up bringing them closer together, "The turn in the weather, will keep us together, so I can honestly say that as far as I'm concerned, it's a lovely day".
In the chorus, the singer questions if this day isn't the perfect day to be caught in the rain, seeing as the weather has already brought the two people together. They reflect on how just as they were going to part ways, the clouds broke, leaving them with the prospect of sharing a cozy and warm moment together. The rain may be creating a noise, but it is of no significance as long as they can remain in each other's company, concluding with, "Long as I can be with you, it's a lovely day."
The song is not only an ode to love but is also a testament to the power of making the best of a bad situation. In life, things can be tough, and storms may come, but we can choose to focus on the positive aspects and hold on to the things that matter most.
Line by Line Meaning
The weather is fright'ning
The current weather is scary with excessive amounts of thunder and lightning
The thunder and lightning
The natural processes of thunder and lightning are occurring heavily in the atmosphere
Seem to be having their way
They appear to be dominating the current weather conditions
But as far as I'm concerned, it's a lovely day
Despite the fright'ning weather, I still consider it as a beautiful day
The turn in the weather
The change in weather pattern
Will keep us together
Will make it possible for us to stay together
So I can honestly say
I can sincerely express that
That as far as I'm concerned, it's a lovely day
The weather has not affected my positive outlook on this day
And everything's o.k.
Everything is going well in general
Isn't this a lovely day
This current day seems like an amazing day
To be caught in the rain?
Despite getting soaked in the rain, this moment still appears charming
You were going on your way
You were in the process of departing
Now you've got to remain
But, now you must stay put due to the weather situation
Just as you were going, leaving me all at sea
Exactly when you were leaving and confusing me
The clouds broke, they broke and oh!
Suddenly, the clouds above finally cleared up
What a break for me
This change of weather condition has turned out to be a good thing for me
I can see the sun up high
The sun can be seen up in the sky now
Tho' we're caught in the storm
Despite being stuck in the thunderstorm
I can see where you and i
I can visualize where we can be at this very moment
Could be cozy and warm
We can have a comfortable and warm moment together despite the rain
Let the rain pitter patter
Even though there is rain falling lightly
But it really doesn't matter
It doesn't really have any significance
If the skies are gray
The dull color of the sky being grey
Long as I can be with you it's a lovely day
All that truly matters is being with you, which makes this day lovely
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nick Zoohowza
on Jelly, Jelly
The “meaning” of Jelly Jelly seems to have been written by ChatGPT. Surely “jelly”, like “jelly roll” was intended in this song to refer to sex/genitalia, and not something to spread on toast.
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on Kiss Of Fire
Absolutely Absolutely Absolutely Amazing Grace his voice was"GOD"gift to us class jazz lovers listeners u'dig now can you dig dat baby,baby from da'conductor nelfoster from chocolate cle city ohio chocolate rocks...