He was born as William Thomas Murray in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of immigrants from Ireland. He became fascinated with the theater and joined a traveling vaudeville troupe in 1893. He also performed in minstrel shows early in his career. He made his first recordings for a local phonograph cylinder company in San Francisco, California in 1897. He started recording regularly in the New York City and New Jersey area in 1903, when the nation's major record companies as well as the Tin Pan Alley music industry were concentrated there.
In 1906 he waxed the first of his popular duets with Ada Jones. He also performed with Aileen Stanley, the Haydn Quartet, the Premier Quartet, and the American Quartet (the latter two actually being the same group), in addition to his solo work.
He had a strong tenor voice with excellent enunciation and a more conversational delivery than common with bel canto singers of the era. On comic songs he often deliberately sang slightly flat, which he felt helped the comic effect.
While he often performed romantic numbers and ballads which sold well at the time, his comedy and novelty song recordings continue to be popular with later generations of record collectors.
Murray's popularity faded with changes in public taste and recording technology; the rise of the electric microphone in the mid 1920s coincided with the rise of the crooners. His "hammering" style, as he called it, essentially yelling the song into the recording horn, did not work in the electronic era, and it took him some time to learn how to soften his voice. While he continued to work, his singing style was considered "dated" and less in demand. In the late 1920s and early 1930s he also did voices for animated cartoons, especially the "follow the bouncing ball" type which incorporated songs from his salad days. He also did radio work.
Murray made his last recordings in 1943 and retired to Freeport, Long Island, New York in 1944. He died in nearby Jones Beach.
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Billy Murray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Better hurry and let's meander.
Ain't you goin', ain't you goin'?
To the leader man, ragged meter man?
Oh ma honey, oh ma honey,
Let me take you to Alexander's
Grand stand brass band,
Ain't you comin' along?
Come on and hear, come on and hear,
Alexander's Ragtime Band.
Come on and hear, come on and hear,
It's the best band in the land!
They can play a bugle call like you never heard before.
So natural that you want to go to war.
That's just the bestest band what am, aw honey lamb.
Come on along, come on along,
Let me take you by the hand.
Up to the man, the funny man,
Who's the leader of the band!
And if you care to hear the Swanee River played in ragtime,
Come on and hear, come on and hear,
Alexander's Ragtime Band!
Oh ma honey, oh ma honey,
There's a fiddle with notes that screeches.
Just like a chicken, like a chicken.
And the clarinet, is a coloured pet.
Come and listen, come and listen,
To a classical band what's peaches.
Come now, somehow,
Better hurry along!
Come on and hear, come on and hear,
Alexander's Ragtime Band.
Come on and hear, come on and hear,
It's the best band in the land!
They can play a bugle call like you never heard before.
So natural that you want to go to war.
That's just the bestest band what am, aw honey lamb.
Come on along, come on along,
Let me take you by the hand.
Up to the man, the funny man,
Who's the leader of the band!
And if you care to hear the Swanee River played in ragtime,
Come on and hear, come on and hear,
Alexander's Ragtime Band!
Ain't that just the bestest band what am, aw honey lamb.
Come on and hear, come on and hear,
Alexander's Ragtime Band.
The lyrics to Alexander's Ragtime Band by Billy Murray describe the excitement people have for going to hear the band play. The singer urges his honey to come with him to Alexander's Grand Stand Brass Band where they will hear ragtime music played with fervor. The band is described as the best in the land, playing a bugle call that makes people feel ready to go to war. The song also mentions other instruments in the band such as the fiddle and clarinet. The singer highlights the desire to hear the familiar tune of Swanee River played in a ragtime style by the band.
The song captures the joy and energy of the early 1900s ragtime music scene. Ragtime music was a revolutionary style, blending African American rhythms with European classical music. It became hugely popular in the early 20th century and launched the careers of some of the most celebrated jazz musicians. Alexander's Ragtime Band was one of the biggest hits, and its infectious melody and lyrics inspired people to dance and sing along. The song became a classic and has been covered by many artists over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh ma honey, oh ma honey, Better hurry and let's meander.
Hey darling, let's walk quickly and aimlessly.
Ain't you goin', ain't you goin'? To the leader man, ragged meter man?
Aren't you going to hear the band, led by the ragged meter man?
Oh ma honey, oh ma honey, Let me take you to Alexander's Grand stand brass band, Ain't you comin' along?
Hey darling, let me take you to hear Alexander's brass band at the grand stand. Won't you come with me?
Come on and hear, come on and hear, Alexander's Ragtime Band. Come on and hear, come on and hear, It's the best band in the land!
Come and listen to Alexander's Ragtime Band â the best band around!
They can play a bugle call like you never heard before. So natural that you want to go to war.
They play the bugle so well you'll feel like going to war it's so natural and moving.
That's just the bestest band what am, aw honey lamb. Come on along, come on along, Let me take you by the hand. Up to the man, the funny man, Who's the leader of the band!
That's just the best band, my dear. Come with me and meet the charismatic leader.
And if you care to hear the Swanee River played in ragtime, Come on and hear, come on and hear, Alexander's Ragtime Band!
If you want to hear the Swanee River played in ragtime, come and listen to Alexander's Ragtime Band!
There's a fiddle with notes that screeches. Just like a chicken, like a chicken. And the clarinet, is a coloured pet. Come and listen, come and listen, To a classical band what's peaches. Come now, somehow, Better hurry along!
The fiddle screeches like a chicken, and the clarinet is like a colourful pet. Come and listen to the classical band, it's amazing. Come quickly!
Ain't that just the bestest band what am, aw honey lamb.
Isn't this just the best band around, my dear?
Come on and hear, come on and hear, Alexander's Ragtime Band.
Come and listen to Alexander's Ragtime Band!
Contributed by Jordyn H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@emiliajohnson4904
Oh, ma honey, oh, ma honey, better hurry and let's meander
Ain't you go-in'? Ain't you go-in'? To the leader-man, ragged meter man?
Oh, ma honey, oh, ma honey, Let me take you to Alexander's
Grand stand brass band, ain't you coming' along?
Chorus:
Come on and hear! Come on and hear! Alexander's ragtime band!
Come on and hear! Come on and hear! It's the best band in the land!
They can play a bugle call like you never heard before
So natural that you want to go to war
That's just the best-est band what am, oh, ma honey lamb
Come on along, come on along, let me take you by the hand
Up to the man, up to the man, who's the leader of the band
And if you care to hear the Swanee River played in rag-time
Come on and hear, come on and hear,
Alexander's Rag-Time Band
Verse 2:
Oh, ma honey, oh, ma honey, there's a fiddle with notes that screeches,
Like a chicken, like a chicken, and the clarinet is a colored pet
Come and listen, come and listen, to a classical band what's peaches
Come now, somehow, better hurry along!
Chorus:
Come on and hear! Come on and hear! Alexander's ragtime band!
Come on and hear! Come on and hear! It's the best band in the land!
They can play a bugle call like you never heard before
So natural that you want to go to war
That's just the best-est band what am, oh, ma honey lamb
Come on along, come on along, let me take you by the hand
Up to the man, up to the man, who's the leader of the band
And if you care to hear the Swanee River played in rag-time
Come on and hear, come on and hear,
Alexander's Rag-Time Band
@auroramacula
I'm certainly addicted to Billy Murray now. I can't spend a day without listening to his handsome voice (and oh, what a handsome face too)! These oldies are helping me to keep my sanity alright with all the homework from online school and general anxiousness of the quarantine. Thanks to you, Vaudeville!
@murraywatson9238
Yee! Ragtime! :3
And whatever works! It's natural to feel a little frazzled sometimes, especially with quarantine stuffs. Good job staying afloat, we're proud of you uwu :3c
@Camtcan
down bad
@Davidthepopocultureking07
Yank my doodle oh so dandy
@logancomics
Have you heard his version of Meet Me In St Louis? Itâs marvelous :D
@TimFatchen
Thank you for posting this original.
@system1912
This was one of the earlier songs played by the Titanic's ill fated band as she was sinking. As recalled by Titanic survivor Commander Joseph Boxhall in a recording of his account of events made in 1962.
@rayman17578
Thats dedication for sure they really loved playing
@rayman17578
@@spindriftdrinker Dancing with Tears in my Eyes get it đ
@Freakingfantasticfilms
It may have been played a few times in the Sinking.