It was widely believed, for many years, that Beiderbecke's real name was Leon Bismark Beiderbecke. It is now known that this — like so many other myths about Beiderbecke — is untrue. His real name was Leon Bix Beiderbecke. Bismark was a family name, reflecting the family's German origins, but it was not given to Beiderbecke. "Bix" was a family nickname of his father and older brother, given him as a proper name.
Leon Bix Beiderbecke was born in Davenport, Iowa to a middle-class family. As a teenager he would sneak off to the banks of the Mississippi to listen to the bands play on the riverboats that would come up from the south.
Partially due to frequent absences due to illness, Beiderbecke's grades suffered. His parents felt that sending him to the exclusive Lake Forest Academy in Lake Forest, Illinois, just northwest of Chicago, would provide the attention and discipline needed to improve his schooling.
Beiderbecke's schooling there soon suffered when the only subjects he showed avid interest in were music and sports. Bix soon began going into Chicago as often as possible to catch the hot jazz bands of the day at clubs and speakeasies around Chicago, and too often didn't return in time or was found out the next day.
Beiderbecke was soon asked to leave the Academy due to his academic failings and extra-curricular activities in Chicago, and began his musical career in earnest.
Beiderbecke first recorded with his band "The Wolverine Orchestra" (usually called just The Wolverines, named for "Wolverine Blues" by Jelly Roll Morton because they played it so often) in 1924, then became a sought-after musician in Chicago, Illinois and New York City, New York. He made innovative and influential recordings with Frankie Trumbauer ("Tram") and the Jean Goldkette Orchestra. When the Goldkette Orchestra disbanded after their last recording ("In My Merry Oldsmobile"), in May 1927, Bix and Trumbauer, a 'C' Melody and alto saxophone player, briefly joined Adrian Rollini's band at the Club New Yorker, New York, before moving on to the Paul Whiteman Orchestra, the most popular and highest paid band of the day.
Beiderbecke suffered health problems from an early age, though the relentless schedule of the road and heavy drinking leading to alcoholism began to contribute to and exacerbate a decline in his health. Bix suffered from severe pain in his legs and other ill effects of prohibition era alcohol and with declining work around the New York City area, he took a turn for the worse.
Though his death certificate described the cause of death as pneumonia, and he was in seriously ill health, the circumstances immediately surrounding his death are still unclear. He died at the age of 28, in his apartment at 43-30 46th Street, Sunnyside, Queens, within the confines of the City of New York on August 6, 1931.
I'm More Than Satisfied #1
Bix Beiderbecke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Strung out on lasers and slash-back blazers
Ate all your razors while pulling the waiters
Talking 'bout Monroe and walking on Snow White
New York's a go-go, and everything tastes right
Poor little Greenie, ooh-ooh
Keep her comin'
The Jean Genie loves chimney stacks
He's outrageous, he screams and he bawls (Jean Genie)
Jean Genie, let yourself go, whoah
Sits like a man but he smiles like a reptile
She love him, she love him but just for a short while
She'll scratch in the sand, won't let go his hand
He says he's a beautician and sells you nutrition
And keeps all your dead hair for making up underwear
Poor little Greenie, ooh-ooh
The Jean Genie lives on his back
The Jean Genie loves chimney stacks
He's outrageous, he screams and he bawls (Jean Genie)
Jean Genie, let yourself go, whoah
He's so simple-minded, he can't drive his module
He bites on the neon and sleeps in a capsule
Loves to be loved, loves to be loved
Oh, Jean Genie lives on his back
The Jean Genie loves chimney stacks
He's outrageous, he screams and he bawls (Jean Genie)
Jean Genie, let yourself go, whoah
Go!
Go!
The Jean Genie lives on his back
The Jean Genie loves chimney stacks
He's outrageous, he screams and he bawls (Jean Genie)
Jean Genie, let yourself go, whoah
Go, go go!
I must clarify that the lyrics quoted above are not from Bix Beiderbecke's "I'm More Than Satisfied", but rather from David Bowie's "The Jean Genie". If you could provide me with the correct Bix Beiderbecke lyrics, I would be happy to analyze them for you.
In terms of "The Jean Genie", the lyrics of the song are often interpreted as a tribute to Iggy Pop, a close friend and songwriter who was known for his wild and rebellious stage presence. The titular "Jean Genie" can be seen as a symbol for Iggy and his hedonistic lifestyle, characterized by drug use ("strung out on lasers"), fashion experimentation ("slash-back blazers"), and sexual conquests ("ate all your razors while pulling the waiters"). The references to Marilyn Monroe and Snow White suggest a fascination with Hollywood icons and pop culture.
The line "he sits like a man but he smiles like a reptile" has been widely interpreted as a reference to Iggy Pop's stage persona and energetic performances. The female character in the song who is briefly infatuated with the Jean Genie can be seen as a embodiment of the allure of dangerous and thrilling experiences. The repetition of the chorus and the use of repetition and call-and-response create a sense of a raucous, wild party.
Line by Line Meaning
A small Jean Genie snuck off to the city
A diminutive supernatural being called a Jean Genie made its way secretly into the city.
Strung out on lasers and slash-back blazers
The Jean Genie was addicted to the extravagant lights and fashion of the city.
Ate all your razors while pulling the waiters
The Jean Genie consumed everything in its path, including utensils and the people who served it.
Talking 'bout Monroe and walking on Snow White
The Jean Genie discussed Marilyn Monroe while strolling on the streets named after different characters from 'Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs.
New York's a go-go, and everything tastes right
The city was bustling with energy and excitement, and the Jean Genie relished in the sensory overload.
Poor little Greenie, ooh-ooh
Expressing pity for the Jean Genie's insatiable hunger and thirst for stimulation.
Keep her comin'
Indicating a desire for a continuous flow of whatever the Jean Genie desired at the moment.
The Jean Genie lives on his back
The Jean Genie is a carefree, hedonistic creature.
The Jean Genie loves chimney stacks
The Jean Genie finds beauty even in industrial structures like chimney stacks.
He's outrageous, he screams and he bawls (Jean Genie)
The Jean Genie's wild behavior is not only excessive but also includes vocal expression.
Jean Genie, let yourself go, whoah
Encouraging the Jean Genie to unleash its free spirit.
Sits like a man but he smiles like a reptile
Though the Jean Genie has a human-like form, its smile is reminiscent of a cold-blooded reptile.
She love him, she love him but just for a short while
Someone loves the Jean Genie passionately, but their love is fleeting due to the Jean Genie's fiercely independent nature.
She'll scratch in the sand, won't let go his hand
The aforementioned lover is desperately trying to hold on to the Jean Genie's hand as they walk on the beach.
He says he's a beautician and sells you nutrition
The Jean Genie claims to be a beautician and sells some form of merchandise.
And keeps all your dead hair for making up underwear
In a bizarre twist, the Jean Genie keeps the hair that falls from people's heads for the creation of underwear.
He's so simple-minded, he can't drive his module
The Jean Genie's uncomplicated mental state renders him unable to operate advanced technology or machinery.
He bites on the neon and sleeps in a capsule
The Jean Genie is attracted to neon lights and the convenience of sleeping in small spaces.
Loves to be loved, loves to be loved
Though independent, the Jean Genie craves affection from others.
Go!
An exclamation to continue the energetic pace and lifestyle of the Jean Genie.
Go, go go!
A repeated exclamation to further augment the enthusiasm for the Jean Genie's lifestyle.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: RAYMOND KLAGES, FATS WALLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@roslynmelnik4741
🎉
@harryknackers7892
We love you, Great Granny!
@Daviej5700
Wonderful - Love the pics as usual..
@MylarAndCelluloid
I love the laid back atmosphere on the Chicago Loopers records. So laid back there's a flub here and there but it really doesn't matter. Just three wonderful sides, and the good take of Three Blind Mice (the one you have on your channel) is superlative.
@roybo1930
This Record is the Perfect Perfect! Loaded with some of the best in Jazz ever and I LOVE the vibes along with the FANTASTIC Vocal on this!
@waltergray7722
Great post.
Thank you for sharing.
@irvingkaufman4901
I LOVE this recording, the band, and especially the vocal group! BUT I have a question (and I hope it's not a dumb one): what part did Willard Robison play -- if any -- in this recording session as far as putting it together, gathering the musicians, directing in the studio, etc, OR was his name purely a pseudonym for the label? I noticed that the vocal group possessed the name "Deep River", which is usually associated with Robison. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful recording and for providing any information, Atticus!!! :^D 🎺 IK (formerly Louis Panico - LP)
@gennettor8915
Different take from my copy....
@guntherdertz9554
Gee, its sweel.