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.
Song for You
Billy Eckstine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've sung a lot of songs I've made some bad rhyme
I've acted out my love in stages
With ten thousand people watching
But we're alone now and I'm singing this song for you
I know your image of me is what I hope to be
I've treated you unkindly but darlin' can't you see
Darlin' can't you please see through me
Cause we're alone now and I'm singing this song for you
You taught me precious secrets of the truth witholding nothing
You came out in front and I was hiding
But now I'm so much better and if my words don't come together
Listen to the melody cause my love is in there hiding
I love you in a place where there's no space or time
I love you for in my life you are a friend of mine
And when my life is over
Remember when we were together
We were alone and I was singing this song for you
You taught me precious secrets of the truth witholding nothing
You came out in front and I was hiding
But now I'm so much better and if my words don't come together
Listen to the melody cause my love is in there hiding
I love you in a place where there's no space or time
I love you for in my life you are a friend of mine
And when my life is over
Remember when we were together
We were alone and I was singing this song for you
We were alone and I was singing this song for you
The lyrics of Billy Eckstine's song "Song for You" express the singer's contemplation of his own life, career, and relationships. The first two lines suggest that the singer has experienced a lot in his life and career, but it has not always been perfect - he has made mistakes and created bad rhymes. The singer then acknowledges the importance of the person to whom the song is dedicated. He recognizes that he may have not always been kind to this individual, but he hopes that they can see past this to his true self. The presence of the two themes - career and relationships - is central to this song, as the singer considers both aspects of his life.
The verse "You taught me precious secrets of the truth witholding nothing. You came out in front and I was hiding. But now I'm so much better and if my words don't come together" may suggest that the singer has been mentored by this person on the receiving end of the song. They taught him the "precious secrets" of the truth and helped him emerge from hiding. The last line of the verse, "Listen to the melody cause my love is in there hiding", refers to the fact that even when the singer cannot find the right words to express his feelings, the feeling is still there in the music.
This song is not only a declaration of love but also an acknowledgment of the ups and downs of one's life, a tribute to a mentor and an expression of gratitude for the lesson learned.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been so many places in my life and time
I've traveled far and wide and had many experiences in my life.
I've sung a lot of songs I've made some bad rhyme
I've written many songs, some of which weren't very good.
I've acted out my love in stages
I've expressed my love publicly, often through performances.
With ten thousand people watching
I've performed in front of large crowds.
But we're alone now and I'm singing this song for you
Despite my public persona and past performances, I'm now alone with you and this is a personal song for you.
I know your image of me is what I hope to be
I understand that you have an idea of who I am, and I strive to live up to that image.
I've treated you unkindly but darlin' can't you see
I acknowledge that I haven't always been kind to you, but I hope you can understand why.
There's no one more important to me
You are the most important person in my life.
Darlin' can't you please see through me
I want you to understand me on a deeper level, beyond my public persona.
You taught me precious secrets of the truth witholding nothing
You've shared important truths with me without holding anything back.
You came out in front and I was hiding
You were brave and upfront, while I was hiding behind a public persona.
But now I'm so much better and if my words don't come together
I've grown and changed, but if I have trouble expressing myself verbally,
Listen to the melody cause my love is in there hiding
listen to what I'm singing because I'm expressing my feelings through the music.
I love you in a place where there's no space or time
My love for you is infinite and transcends time and space.
I love you for in my life you are a friend of mine
I love you not just romantically, but also as a friend and companion.
And when my life is over
When I die
Remember when we were together
Remember the time we spent together.
We were alone and I was singing this song for you
We were together, and I sung this song just for you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Leon Russell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nick Zoohowza
on Jelly, Jelly
The “meaning” of Jelly Jelly seems to have been written by ChatGPT. Surely “jelly”, like “jelly roll” was intended in this song to refer to sex/genitalia, and not something to spread on toast.
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on Kiss Of Fire
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...