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.
Nobody
Billy Eckstine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hiegh ho, who cares
Nobody writes his songs for me
No one belongs to me
That's the least of my cares
I may be sad at times
And disinclined to play
To go your own sweet way
Nobody's arms belong to me
No arms feel strong to me
I admire the moon as a moon, just a moon
Nobody's heart belongs to me today
The song "Nobody's Heart" by Billy Eckstine is a melancholic yet cathartic ballad about feeling emotionally detached and indifferent. The repetition of the phrase "nobody's heart belongs to me" evokes a sense of loneliness and isolation. The singer seems to have accepted their situation and is not seeking pity, as is evident in the lines "that's the least of my cares" and "no one belongs to me." Despite feeling sad at times, the singer finds solace in solitude, as expressed through the lines "it's not bad at times to go your own sweet way."
The verse "nobody's arms belong to me, no arms feel strong to me" further reinforces the idea of detachment and lack of emotional connection. However, the final line "nobody's heart belongs to me today" hints at a flicker of hope that perhaps someday, somebody will love and belong to the singer. Overall, the song conveys a sense of resignation yet a quiet determination to keep going and find happiness in oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Nobody's heart belongs to me
I do not possess anyone's affection
Hiegh ho, who cares
I am not bothered by this fact
Nobody writes his songs for me
I do not have a personal songwriter
No one belongs to me
I do not have any personal connections
That's the least of my cares
This is not a major concern for me
I may be sad at times
I occasionally feel sorrowful
And disinclined to play
I'm not always in the mood for recreational activities
But it's not bad at times
It's not always a bad thing
To go your own sweet way
To chart your own path
Nobody's arms belong to me
I do not have anyone's embrace
No arms feel strong to me
I do not feel physically supported by anyone
I admire the moon as a moon, just a moon
I appreciate the moon for what it is, not for any personal significance or attachment
Nobody's heart belongs to me today
Today, like any other day, I do not have anyone's love or affection
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LORENZ HART, RICHARD RODGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bernicemahar4147
I thought Billy Eckstine was the handsomest and most romantic singer when I was a young girl. That voice of his gave me goosebumps!!! I didn’t have my own records, so I had to beg my older sister to let me listen to hers. There has never been another voice to compare to his!!!!
@narindersingh2776
What a beautiful song. My wife and I met in Scotland and heard this song in 1954.
Then we called it our song and even now we have the same feelings whenever we hear this great singer singing our song.
We hope to keep listening to this amazing heart throbbing song.
Thank you to this great artist who sang the song. "Billy Eckstine"
@robbiediles4242
You are both lovely and BLESSED ❤❤❤
@jillfoley6389
Gives me goosebumps when I play this and you don't get them much when you're 76 . Such a beautiful song and a lovely man, so handsome. He's out of this world.
@marciaantonia1886
Música maravilhosa isso é muito bom de ouvir obrigada pela postagem 🤩😘
@dawnreece6074
Stunning voice and talent . My dad left me with a good musical education. He loved this man ❤️
@junewatts7253
What a beautiful voice there will never be another like him. I think he will live for ever with his music.
@pathutson9319
I have no words that would do justice to this mans remarkable voice. There will never be another like him. He was unique. Thank you for posting this exquisite song. 🕊❤️☘☘☘
@jenmatthews9247
Pat Hutson 🏴🏴
@karenmcdonnell6274
What a beautiful singer, massively underated