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 Foolish Heart
Billy Eckstine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Beware my foolish heart
How white the ever constant moon
Take care my foolish heart
There's a line between love and fascination
That's hard to see on an evening such as this
For they both have the very same sensation
Her lips are much too close to mine
Beware my foolish heart
But should our eager lips combine
Then let the fire start
For this time it isn't fascination
Or a dream that will fade and fall apart
It's love, this time it's love
My foolish heart
The song "My Foolish Heart" by Billy Eckstine, written by Victor Young and Ned Washington, is a beautiful and heartfelt love song with intensely emotional and profound lyrics. It begins with the singer addressing his own heart, asking it to be cautious as the night is inviting, and the moon is ever constant and white. The heart is implored to be careful, as it could easily fall into the trap of love, and cause the singer to lose himself in the magic of a kiss.
The second verse speaks of the thin line between love and fascination, which the singer is having a hard time deciphering in the midst of this enchanting evening. He fears that his eager heart might lead him astray and closer to the lips of his lover. But there's a sense of resignation, as he knows that if their lips meet, it will unleash a fire that can't be quenched.
The final verse has a sense of hope and acceptance, as the singer realizes that this time it's different. It's not just fascination or a fading dream; it's love. His foolish heart has finally found its true calling, and he's willing to let it lead the way.
Overall, "My Foolish Heart" is a song that speaks to the human experience of falling in love, the fears, the doubts, the joys, and the sense of surrender that it entails.
Line by Line Meaning
The night is like a lovely tune
The peaceful and serene night feels like a melodious tune.
Beware my foolish heart
My heart is prone to making foolish decisions and I need to be cautious.
How white the ever constant moon
The moon is soothingly consistent and perfectly white in the sky.
Take care my foolish heart
My heart needs to be careful and protect itself against being easily swayed.
There's a line between love and fascination
It is difficult to distinguish between being in love and being fascinated by someone.
That's hard to see on an evening such as this
It is especially challenging to determine the difference on calm and romantic evenings.
For they both have the very same sensation
The emotions felt in both cases are quite similar and hard to differentiate.
When you're lost in the magic of a kiss
The feeling of love or fascination is especially strong when caught up in the magic of a kiss.
Her lips are much too close to mine
The person I am with is in extremely close proximity to me.
Beware my foolish heart
I need to be careful and protect myself against impulsive and unwise actions.
But should our eager lips combine
If we give in to our passionate desires and kiss each other.
Then let the fire start
The passion will ignite and become intense.
For this time it isn't fascination
This is not merely fascination with the person; it is something deeper and stronger.
Or a dream that will fade and fall apart
This is not just an unattainable dream or fantasy that will ultimately fail.
It's love, this time it's love
This is real love and not just a fleeting moment of infatuation.
My foolish heart
Despite being foolish at times, my heart is now filled with genuine love.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Ned Washington, Victor Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@yulder999
The night is like a lovely tune
Beware my foolish heart
How white the ever constant moon
Take care my foolish heart
There's a line between love and fascination
That's hard to see, on an evening such as this
For they both give the very same sensation
When you're lost in the magic of a kiss
Her lips are much too close to mine
Beware my foolish heart
But should our eager lips combine
Then let the fire start
For this time it isn't fascination
Or a dream that will fade and fall apart
It's love, this time it's love
My foolish heart
.........
It's love, this time it's love
My foolish heart
Remember Lien in Vietnam until end of time.
@ralphnieves7690
THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE "BILLY ECKSTINE" FOREVER WILL BE LISTENED TO.....ENJOY
@suzannebeards9305
My Dad used to sing this to my Mom when they were 'courting'. Makes me so emotional.
@ritapacitti9599
Nice story, good for you with such a beautiful memory to cherish.
@kennethridout7471
What a voice, memorable
@margish48
My father sang if for my mother also! I'll never forget it.
@juliemccarthy18
Pure magic. Rich velvet. A wonderful range up and down the scale. A mark of his talent is: he sounds as fresh and compelling 70 years after first recording this standard. I much prefer him to his contemporaries. It is the tambor or internal sound he produces + his emoting + his musical talent that gets my vote. Absolutely love this guy - wonderful.
@janetsmith4650
First heard this in the mid 50’s. Have never forgotten the Eckstine performance! There’s only 1 Billy Eckstine
@harrisfreedman9006
One of the greatest singers of all time...i loved this guy....back in the 50's
@erzahler1930
Why does no one make music like this anymore? We need more Billy Eckstines, especially in today's Covid era.
@dinerdashing
I know. The music of yesterday is still so lovely, unlike the music of today.
Maranatha!
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