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.
Someone To Watch Over Me
Billy Eckstine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Still were often told, seek and ye shall find
So I'm going to seek a certain lad I've had in mind
Looking everywhere, haven't found him yet
Hes the big affair I cannot forget
Only man I ever think of with regret
I'd like to add his initial to my monogram
There's a somebody I'm longing to see
I hope that he turns out to be
Someone who'll watch over me
I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood
I know I could always be good
Someone who'll watch over me
Although he may not be the man some
Girls think of as handsome
To my heart he carries the key
Won't you tell him please to put on some speed
Follow my lead, oh, how I need
Someone to watch over me
The lyrics of Billy Eckstine's song "Someone To Watch Over Me" depict a longing for companionship and protection from someone special. The opening lines suggest that love can be blind, but one must still seek it out. This sets the tone for the rest of the song as the singer searches for a specific person despite not knowing who or where they are.
The second verse reveals that this person is someone the singer cannot forget, and they are the only person they think of with regret. The monogram reference suggests that the singer wants to make a commitment to this person and have them as a permanent part of their life. However, they are lost without this person, and they are asking for help finding them, referred to as a shepherd to the lost lamb.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Someone to watch over me," emphasizing the importance of having someone to care for and protect them. The final verse reveals that the person the singer is searching for may not be conventionally attractive, but they hold the key to their heart. The singer pleads with this person to hurry and follow their lead, indicating that they are ready for a committed relationship and the security of knowing someone is there for them.
Overall, the lyrics of "Someone To Watch Over Me" convey a desire for love and companionship, and the vulnerability that comes with that. The singer is searching for someone specific, but also acknowledges the importance of having someone to care for them. The song is a reminder of the universal need for human connection and the comfort that comes with having someone to watch over us.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a saying old says that love is blind
Love is often irrational and can't be predicted
Still were often told, seek and ye shall find
Despite the unpredictability of love, people are encouraged to actively search for it
So I'm going to seek a certain lad I've had in mind
I am going to actively search for a specific person whom I desire
Looking everywhere, haven't found him yet
I have searched far and wide, but I have not yet found the person I am looking for
Hes the big affair I cannot forget
The person I am searching for is very important to me and I can't get them out of my mind
Only man I ever think of with regret
The person I am searching for is the only one I have any regrets about not being with
I'd like to add his initial to my monogram
I would like to have a romantic relationship with him and have our initials combined in a monogram
Tell me, where is the shepherd for this lost lamb?
I need someone to guide me and help me find the person I am searching for
There's a somebody I'm longing to see
There is a person I am very eager to see
I hope that he turns out to be
I hope that the person I am looking for fits my ideal partner
Someone who'll watch over me
I want someone who will take care of me and protect me
I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood
I am vulnerable and lost without someone to guide and protect me
I know I could always be good
I am confident that I could be a good partner if I find someone to love me
Someone who'll watch over me
I want someone who will always be there for me and care for me
Although he may not be the man some
The person I am looking for may not fit society's standards of an ideal partner
Girls think of as handsome
Other girls may not find him physically attractive
To my heart he carries the key
To me, the person I am looking for holds the key to my heart and happiness
Won't you tell him please to put on some speed
Please tell him to hurry and come to me
Follow my lead, oh, how I need
I need his love and guidance, and I am willing to lead the way towards that
Someone to watch over me
I need someone to care for and protect me, emotionally and physically
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, O/B/O DistroKid, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jimshelton115
When I was 13 my brother came home from NY & told I ought to listen to this singer sing . I did & have been ever since & every chance I had to see him see in person I did .. thanks Billy Eckstine
@champ419
There will never be another singer come near Billy, he was just so special, thanks so much Mr E.
@jimmartens9411
Amen
@glennjohnson8170
Glenn Johnson Al,my late mum loved Billy Eckstine.Today,when i listen to his voice,boy,she was sure right!
@16powerful
my Mothers favourite singer, my parents went dancing in the 40s....
@patrickryan1515
He was a couple of decades ahead of my 'listening' years. After I had heard it all I began to turn to the likes of Billy, Sarah and Ms. Simone. Although I had listened to some really great pop music, I must say these predecessors had it all over the rest when it comes to full music satisfaction. These artists and their counterparts will carry me through my final years on this earth, allowing by their soothing and uplifting performances me to grow old gracefully and to eventually join them at the source of all this profound greatness.
@earlebrown7833
I know, right!
@waterlily6543
Boy you said it better thanks
@bklynrizz714
The greatest male voice ever.
@PamelaCovey
This incredible man's voice is like music, even without the instruments. Phenomenal range and quality, just beautiful