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.
Kiss Of Fire
Billy Eckstine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Those devil lips that know so well the art of lying
And though I see the danger, still the flame grows higher
I know I must surrender to your kiss of fire
Just like a torch, you set the soul within me burning
I must go on, I'm on this road of no returning
And though it burns me and it turns me into ashes
I can't resist you, what good is there in trying?
What good is there denying you're all that I desire?
Since first I kissed you my heart was yours completely
If I'm a slave, then it's a slave I want to be
Don't pity me, don't pity me
Give me your lips, the lips you only let me borrow
Love me tonight and let the devil take tomorrow
I know that I must have your kiss although it dooms me
Though it consumes me, your kiss of fire
Since first I kissed you my heart was yours completely
If I'm a slave, then it's a slave I want to be
Don't pity me, don't pity me
Give me your lips, the lips you only let me borrow
Love me tonight and let the devil take tomorrow
I know that I must have your kiss although it dooms me
Though it consumes me, your kiss of fire
In Billy Eckstine's Kiss of Fire, the singer acknowledges that their love interest is dangerous and deceitful, but they are unable to resist their allure. The singer compares their love interest's lips to flames, and though they see the danger, they cannot help but surrender to the passion. The singer's fascination with this person is so consuming that they do not want to be pitied for their enslavement to them, even if it leads to their doom. The singer is so desperate for their love interest's lips that they would do anything to have them, even if it meant sacrificing tomorrow.
The lyrics exhibit a theme of reckless passion and addiction to a love interest, who may not have the best intentions. The singer's desire for this person goes beyond logic and reason and is purely driven by their intense attraction. The poem portrays an idea that love can be like fire, capable of lighting up the soul but also causing immense destruction. Despite the acknowledgement of the danger, the singer remains willing to risk it all for one more kiss of fire from this person.
Line by Line Meaning
I touch your lips and all at once the sparks go flying
As soon as I touch your lips, there is an intense attraction between us.
Those devil lips that know so well the art of lying
Your lips are so tempting and yet so dangerous because they can deceive me.
And though I see the danger, still the flame grows higher
Although I'm aware of the risk, the attraction is still getting stronger.
I know I must surrender to your kiss of fire
I'm convinced that I have no choice but to act on my attraction to you.
Just like a torch, you set the soul within me burning
You ignite my passion and my soul with a single touch.
I must go on, I'm on this road of no returning
There is no turning back for me, I'm committed to this path.
And though it burns me and it turns me into ashes
Even though this relationship is destructive, I can't give it up.
My whole world crashes without your kiss of fire
Without your passion, my life would be meaningless and empty.
I can't resist you, what good is there in trying?
I'm powerless against your allure, so there's no point in fighting it.
What good is there denying you're all that I desire?
There's no point in pretending that I don't want you, because you're everything to me.
Since first I kissed you my heart was yours completely
Since the first kiss, I've surrendered completely to your love.
If I'm a slave, then it's a slave I want to be. Don't pity me.
I'm willing to give up control to you because I want to be your devoted lover. I don't want your pity.
Give me your lips, the lips you only let me borrow
I want to be closer to you and indulge in your passion.
Love me tonight and let the devil take tomorrow
Let's enjoy our time together and not worry about the future consequences.
I know that I must have your kiss although it dooms me
I'm aware that being with you might be dangerous, but I still can't resist your passion.
Though it consumes me, your kiss of fire
Even if your love is destructive, I'm still drawn to it and want to indulge in it.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RICHARD GUY BAILEY, TOM GALLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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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...
@MehmetAsmaz
Great...
@djmutt2000
I can picture Wade singing this to Ember