Billy Stewart began singing publicly with his mother's group, the Stewart Gospel Singers, as a teenager. He made the transition to secular music by filling in occasionally for the Rainbows, a D.C. area vocal group led by future soul star Don Covay. It was also through the Rainbows that Stewart met another aspiring singer, a very young Marvin Gaye. Seminal rock and roller Bo Diddley has been credited with discovering Stewart playing piano in Washington, D.C. in 1956 and inviting him to be one of his backup musicians. This led to a recording contract with Bo Diddley's label, Chess Records, and Bo Diddley played guitar on Stewart's 1956 recording of "Billy's Blues". Stewart then moved to Okeh Records and recorded "Billy's Heartache" backed by the Marquees, another D.C. area group which was now featuring Marvin Gaye.
Back at Chess in the early 1960s, Stewart began working with A&R man Billy Davis. He cut a song called "Fat Boy". Showing additional promise with his recordings of "Reap What You Sow" and "Strange Feeling", major chart success was not far away. Stewart hit both the pop and R&B charts big in 1965 with the songs, “I Do Love You” and “Sitting in the Park.” His improvisational technique of doubling-up, scatting his words and trilling his lips made his style unique in the 1960s.
In 1966, wishing to appeal to a wider audience, Stewart recorded the LP "Billy Stewart Teaches Old Standards New Tricks" in 1966. The first single released from that album was Billy's radical stand-out interpretation of the George Gershwin classic "Summertime", a top ten hit on both the pop and R&B charts in 1966. The follow-up single was Billy's remake of the Doris Day hit "Secret Love", which just missed the top ten on the R&B chart.
While Stewart continued to record throughout the remainder of the 1960s, his weight problem worsened and he developed diabetes. He also suffered minor injuries in a motorcycle accident in 1969. His life was tragically cut short on January 17, 1970, just 2 months prior to his 33rd birthday, when the car he was driving plunged into the Neuse River in North Carolina, killing him and three members of his band.
Billy Stewart was inducted into the Washington Area Music Association Hall of Fame in 1982.
I'm In Love
Billy Stewart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What a rare mood I'm in!
Why, it's almost like being in love
There's a smile on my face
For the whole human race
Why it's almost like being in love
Like a bell that is ringing for me
And from the way that I feel
When the bell starts to peal
I would swear I was falling
I could swear I was falling
It's almost like being in love
The song "I'm In Love" by Billy Stewart perfectly captures the feeling of being in love through its upbeat melody and charming lyrics. The song begins by describing the overwhelming sense of happiness and joy that comes with love. The opening line "What a day this has been!" sets the tone for the rest of the song, conveying the excitement and wonder that comes with newfound love. The second line "What a rare mood I'm in!" further describes this feeling, highlighting just how special and unique this moment is for the singer.
The chorus of the song, with the repeating line "Why it's almost like being in love," perfectly conveys the feeling of being swept up in the moment. The second verse of the song adds to this feeling, with the singer describing how "all the music of life seems to be like a bell that is ringing for me." The imagery of the bell ringing adds to the feeling of being in love, as if the world is celebrating with the singer.
The song's final lines "I could swear I was falling, it's almost like being in love" perfectly encapsulate the feeling of being lost in the moment of falling in love. With its catchy melody and romantic lyrics, it's no wonder this song has remained a classic for decades.
Line by Line Meaning
What a day this has been!
Today has been an extraordinary day!
What a rare mood I'm in!
I am experiencing an unusual mood!
Why, it's almost like being in love
My feelings are similar to those of someone in love!
There's a smile on my face
I am happy and showing an expression of joy!
For the whole human race
I have a positive outlook on the entire human population!
Why it's almost like being in love
My emotions are reminiscent of that of someone who is in love!
All the music of life seems to be
Every aspect of life appears to be musical!
Like a bell that is ringing for me
It feels as if a bell is ringing specifically for me!
And from the way that I feel
Based on my current emotions!
When the bell starts to peal
When the sound of the bell intensifies!
I would swear I was falling
I would confidently state that I am falling for someone or something!
I could swear I was falling
I am convinced that I am falling!
It's almost like being in love
My feelings are similar to someone in the midst of love!
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLE PORTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@richardtiscareno1558
My dad and I listened to Billy on the couch at home...I miss my pops...Richard Tiscareno
@briankathurima1421
Amazing! Great Artists always acknowledge our Heavenly Father in all….
@arnold4870
What times , now that I'm nearly seventy , these songs make me cry. So many , many are gone now. I miss them. Now I hear they play oldies at funerals ,
@themmman342
Few performers could match the talent of Billy Stewart. Drummer, piano player, composer and excellent singer. His incredible voice lives on in all his great songs. The legacy continues.
@teresarodriguez2674
One of the best voices, one of a kind, stuttering was his unique gift that no one else can match.
@jonathancunningham4271
Billy Stewart was a genius simple and plain.
@alexcantu2804
When you hear his voice, lyrics, you automatically know ,Billy Stewart, he had his own style
@jamesprevard6555
I'm from this eara...& don't know why he hasn't been inducted into the rocking roll hall of fame !
@cynthialaninidiaz1791
Awwww I love this jam!! 💙💙💙💙💙🎼🎼🎼🎼 rest easy billy Stewart
@baddbuoy1
Billy Stewart was one of the greatest live performers on the eastern seaboard. He traveled the Carolinas and was a major star in the "Beach Music" scene. A consummate performer with some of the best stage dancing that I have ever seen. I can close my eyes and see Billy spining around on the stage like a top. Yea, Billy was a fat boy but he could sing and dance like no oher RIP----Thad