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.
Trust in Me
Billy Eckstine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Have no fear, give me your hand, my dear
Trust in me in all you do
Have the faith I have in you
Love will see us through
If only you trust in me
Cling to me and I'll be strong
We can get along
As long as you trust in me
While there's a moon on high
While there's a bird to fly
While there's a you and I
You can be sure I love you
Stand beside me all the while
Face the future with a smile
Trust in me and
I'll be worthy of you
The lyrics of Billy Eckstine's song "Trust in Me" are powerful and poignant, expressing emotions of love, trust, and support. The singer opens by urging the listener to approach without hesitation or doubt, asking them to have faith and take his hand. He emphasizes the importance of trust and faith in each other, assuring that love will inevitably bring them through any obstacles or challenges.
The chorus further emphasizes the importance of trust, stating that through trust and faith, they can get along and conquer anything together. The singer mentions external factors such as the moon and a bird to highlight the significance of their unity and love. He then goes on to encourage the listener to face the future with a smile, as long as they stand by him and trust in his love.
In the final lines, the singer promises to be worthy of the listener's trust, making a heartfelt pledge of commitment, love, and support.
Line by Line Meaning
Come to me without more speculation
Approach me without overthinking or doubting.
Have no fear, give me your hand, my dear
Do not be afraid and trust me completely.
Trust in me in all you do
Believe in me and my abilities, completely and unconditionally.
Have the faith I have in you
Have confidence in yourself just as I have confidence in you.
Love will see us through
Our love for each other will be enough to overcome any obstacle.
If only you trust in me
Our love will blossom only when you put your faith and trust in me.
Come to me when things go wrong
Reach out to me when things aren't going well or when you are in trouble.
Cling to me and I'll be strong
Hold on to me, and I will be your support, and I will be strong for you.
We can get along
We can make it work if we both put in the effort.
As long as you trust in me
Our relationship can grow and flourish only when you trust me undoubtedly.
While there's a moon on high
As long as the moon is bright in the sky.
While there's a bird to fly
As long as there are birds soaring high up in the sky.
While there's a you and I
As long as there is the two of us, our love will continue to thrive.
You can be sure I love you
I assure you that I am deeply in love with you.
Stand beside me all the while
Stay by my side not only during the good but also through the bad times.
Face the future with a smile
Remain optimistic and look forward to what lies ahead, with positivity and happiness.
Trust in me and
Believe in me completely and...
I'll be worthy of you
I will prove to be deserving of your trust, love, and companionship.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MILTON AGER, NED WEVER, JEAN SCHWARTZ
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...