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.
My Destiny
Billy Eckstine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Makes no difference what you say or do
I must stay in love with you
That's my destiny
It's the thing you can't control
I belong to you both heart and soul
With a love beyond control
Even the sea runs dry
They're wrong, one thing is sure
Love like mine can never die
That's how it is
And that's how it has to be
You are everything in life to me
You are my destiny
That's how it is
And that's how it has to be
You are everything in life to me
You are my destiny
The song "My Destiny" by Billy Eckstine is a timeless romantic ballad that expresses the intensity of one's love and the inevitability of their destiny. The lyrics convey a sense of helplessness, as the singer proclaims that their fate is to be in love with the person they sing to, regardless of what they say or do. This passionate declaration of love suggests that the two individuals are deeply connected and share a love that is impossible to ignore or fight against.
The second verse juxtaposes the idea that nothing is certain, even the sea running dry, with the certainty of the singer's love. The song suggests that love is the one true constant in life and that it can never die. The repeated chorus emphasizes the intensity of this love, as the singer declares that the person they sing to is their everything and their destiny.
Overall, "My Destiny" is a beautiful, romantic ballad that expresses the power of love and the inevitability of one's fate. It is a timeless classic that has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with audiences today.
Line by Line Meaning
My destiny is to be in love with you
I was born to love you and nothing can change that
Makes no difference what you say or do
It doesn't matter what happens, I will always love you
I must stay in love with you
It's not a choice, I cannot help but love you
That's my destiny
Loving you is my ultimate fate
It's the thing you can't control
My love for you is beyond my control, it's just there and it's not going anywhere
I belong to you both heart and soul
My entire being is devoted to you, I am yours in every possible way
With a love beyond control
My love for you is so intense and overpowering that it cannot be controlled
They say nothing is sure
Many people believe that nothing in life is certain
Even the sea runs dry
Even things that seem unchangeable, like the ocean, can change or disappear
They're wrong, one thing is sure
Despite what others may believe, there is at least one thing that is guaranteed
Love like mine can never die
The kind of love I have for you will never vanish or fade away
That's how it is
This is the way things are, and there's nothing that can be done to change it
And that's how it has to be
My love for you is an unalterable part of who I am
You are everything in life to me
You are the reason I exist, the one thing that makes my life worth living
You are my destiny
Meeting you was no accident, it was meant to be, and now you are the focus of my life
Contributed by Makayla O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Darla Mae
Mr. Eckstine had a voice i could wrap my heart around and never let go. Thank you for posting this song!
Sara R Henry
Billy Eckstine continues to be the best vocalist of all times. Smooth is silk!!!!
Marilyn Pagliuca
Ditto !!
Kaique Caldeira
Lindo demais
red
Music sure has changed over the decades...
Tsk_Riley
And in my opinion not for the better
Marilyn Pagliuca
What a gift!
Mia Hess Music
Bill Eckstein is a smooth and rich as vocal hot fudge, I love B.E.!!!!
Isabella Nevarez
Saw him in Vegas many years ago, he was playing Ceaser Palace Lounge. He came over to our table I fell in love at that moment, he sat we talked, he held both my hands, he had the largest hands I’d ever seen. So beautiful, his eyes were piercing, OMG his voice. We danced to Misty don’t remember who else was playing Lounge. Have nvr forgotten that moment. I still get Misty whenever I play his songs.
David Naquin
Pure quality