He was the youngest of seven children: five boys, Larry (1895-1975), Everett (born 1896), Ted (born 1900), Harry (1903-1977, popularly known as Bing Crosby) and Bob; and two girls, Catherine (born 1905) and Mary Rose (born 1907). His parents were English-American bookkeeper Harry Lowe Crosby (1871-1950) and Irish-American Catherine Harrigan (1873-1964), (affectionately known as Kate), the daughter of a builder from County Mayo in Ireland. His paternal ancestors Thomas Prence and Patience Brewster were born in England and immigrated to the U.S. in the 17th century; Brewster's family came over on the Mayflower.
Bob Crosby started singing with Anson Weeks (1931-34) and the Dorsey Brothers (1934-35). He led his first band in 1935, when the former members of Ben Pollack's band elected him as titular leader. His most famous band, the Bob-Cats, was a Dixieland jazz group with members from the Bob Crosby Orchestra. Both the Bob Crosby Orchestra and the smaller Bob-Cats group specialized in Dixieland jazz, presaging the traditional jazz revival of the 1940s. Crosby's singing voice was remarkably similar to that of his brother Bing, but without its range.
The Bob Crosby Orchestra and the Bob Cats included (at various times) Yank Lawson, Billy Butterfield, Muggsy Spanier, Matty Matlock, Irving Fazola, Ward Silloway, Warren Smith, Eddie Miller, Joe Sullivan, Bob Zurke, Jess Stacy, Nappy Lamare, Bob Haggart, Walt Yoder, Jack Sperling, and Ray Bauduc.
Hits included "Summertime" (theme song), "In a Little Gypsy Tea Room," "Whispers in The Dark," "South Rampart Street Parade," "March of the Bob Cats," "Day In, Day Out," "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby," "Dolores" and "New San Antonio Rose" (last three with Bing Crosby). A remarkable bass and drums duet between Haggart and Bauduc, "Big Noise From Winnetka," became a hit in 1938-39.
Cecilia
Bob Crosby Lyrics
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Little over sweet sixteen
But the cutest flapper that you've ever seen
When the fellows pass her by
She will always wink her eye
When she talks to them
When she walks with them
This is what they'll cry
Does your mother know you're out Cecilia?
Does she know that I'm about to steal you?
Oh my when I look in your eyes
Something tells me you and I should get together
How bout a little kiss Cecilia
Just a kiss you'll never miss Cecilia
Why do we two keep on wasting time?
Oh Cecilia
Say that you'll be mine
Many funny things occur
While the boys are courting her
I refer to one case in particular
She went with a boy named Joe
Who was always lisping so
When he'd ask this miss
For a little kiss it would sound just like this
Doeth your mother know you're out The-thiel-yuh
Doeth thee know that I'm about to thteal "yuh"
Oh my when I look in your eyth
I feel very you know tho un-neth-the-tha-ry
How about a little kiss The-thiel-yuh
Jutht a kith you'll never mith The-thiel-yuh
Why do we two keep on wathting time?
Oh The-thiel-yuh
Thay that you'll be mine
Mine How about a little kith, the thiel yuh
Jutht a kith you'll never mith, the thiel yuh.
Why do we two keep on wathing time
Oh, the theil yuh
The Bob Crosby song Cecilia tells the story of a darling young lady named Cecilia Green who happens to be a flapper at just over sixteen years old. Her beauty is undeniable as every gentleman that comes across her is lured in by her charm. Whenever she walks or talks with them, they cannot help themselves but to cry out to Cecilia. One particular gentleman seems to have a deep fascination with her and is begging to know if her mother knows she's out and if she's aware that he's about to steal her heart. The song's chorus suggests that something tells him and Cecilia that they should be together and he keeps asking for a little kiss whilst questioning why they keep wasting time.
The lyrics of Cecilia by Bob Crosby showcase the feeling of infatuation and young love. The gentleman that is drawn to Cecilia is so overcome with her charm and beauty that he is willing to steal her away, despite not even knowing if her mother knows that she’s out. The song also has a comical twist with the character Joe, who has a lisp, and the way he says Cecilia’s name. The chorus repeats the desire for a kiss and questions why they are wasting time not being together.
Line by Line Meaning
Little Miss Cecilia Green
Cecilia is a young and inexperienced girl, probably from a rural area.
Little over sweet sixteen
Cecilia is barely an adult, and while she is sweet, she is also inexperienced and naive.
But the cutest flapper that you've ever seen
Despite her youth and inexperience, Cecilia is attractive and stylish, probably due to the influence of the flapper fashion trend of the time.
When the fellows pass her by
Cecilia's beauty attracts attention from men when she is out in public.
She will always wink her eye
Cecilia is coquettish and enjoys flirting with the men who admire her.
When she talks to them
In addition to her physical beauty, Cecilia likely has a charming personality that draws men to her.
When she walks with them
Cecilia is comfortable and confident around men, and enjoys their company.
This is what they'll cry
The men who are attracted to Cecilia are prone to expressing their affection for her in catchy, rhyming phrases.
Does your mother know you're out Cecilia?
The artist is questioning whether Cecilia's parents are aware that she is out and about, likely implying that they would disapprove of her behavior.
Does she know that I'm about to steal you?
The artist is suggesting that he sees the opportunity to take advantage of Cecilia's youth and inexperience to win her affections, perhaps without her parents' approval.
Oh my when I look in your eyes
The singer is aroused by Cecilia's beauty and charm.
Something tells me you and I should get together
The artist is confident that he and Cecilia are meant to be together, despite any obstacles that may be in their way.
How bout a little kiss Cecilia
The singer is asking Cecilia for a romantic gesture, indicating his attraction to her.
Just a kiss you'll never miss Cecilia
The singer is promising that the kiss will be memorable and special, and that Cecilia will not regret sharing it with him.
Why do we two keep on wasting time?
The singer is encouraging Cecilia to pursue a romantic relationship with him and not waste any of their precious youth and energy on anything else.
Oh Cecilia
The artist is using Cecilia's name as an affectionate term of endearment.
Say that you'll be mine
The artist is requesting that Cecilia commit to a romantic relationship with him.
Many funny things occur
Humorous and awkward situations often arise when Cecilia is interacting with her suitors.
While the boys are courting her
Men are vying for Cecilia's affections and competing for her attention.
I refer to one case in particular
The artist is about to relate a specific story that showcases Cecilia's youthful innocence and the pitfalls of dating culture.
She went with a boy named Joe
Cecilia has had romantic encounters with other men before.
Who was always lisping so
Joe has a noticeable speech impediment.
When he'd ask this miss
When Joe would request something of Cecilia.
For a little kiss it would sound just like this
Joe's speech impediment makes his request for a kiss sound humorous and awkward.
Doeth your mother know you're out The-thiel-yuh
The singer is imitating Joe's lisp and teasing Cecilia for her behavior, questioning whether her mother knows she is out with him.
Doeth thee know that I'm about to thteal "yuh"
The singer is again mocking Joe's speech impediment and teasing Cecilia that he is trying to steal her away.
I feel very you know tho un-neth-the-tha-ry
The singer is pretending to struggle with his speech, perhaps to fit in with the humorous tone of the song or to further mock Joe's lisp.
Mine How about a little kith, the thiel yuh
The artist is challenging Cecilia to kiss him, perhaps as a way of showing off his confidence and masculinity.
Jutht a kith you'll never mith, the thiel yuh.
The artist is again encouraging Cecilia to kiss him, promising that she will enjoy it.
Oh, the theil yuh
The singer is once again addressing Cecilia by her name, using it as a term of endearment or affection.
Thay that you'll be mine
The singer is once again asking Cecilia to commit to a romantic relationship with him.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DREYER, RUBY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Trombonology
One of Bob's better vocals. The familial similarity between his tone and brother Bing's is inescapable, but Bob, of course, never attained the sureness and ease that Bing demonstrated so early in his career. Too, Bob had that annoying quick vibrato: Late in life, he attributed it to his brief stint with the Dorsey Brothers' orch., holding Tommy responsible for its development ... which made no sense to me.
@serlistogiette4168
Aw I personally love his quick vibrato movements. I wish I could do it. Bob is said to have the same lower voice as Bing, but he did not share the same range. Also I HAVE NEVER SEEN A PICTURE OF BOB BEFORE SO THID IS REALLY EXCITING TO SEE WHAT HE LOOKS LIKE!
@Trombonology
@@serlistogiette4168 To me, that rapid vibrato gives him an old-fashioned sound for his time; by the Swing Era, when he was starting, I think that device was mostly fading out in pop singing... He seems to have been a nice guy, though. He had great respect for the musicians in his band. It sounds as if Tommy Dorsey was the only working associate he actively disliked. ... Bob and Bing looked like brothers.
@serlistogiette4168
@@Trombonology Hm so the fast spirited and short lived vibrato came before the long ones? Or am I interpreting wrong. I can only do long vibrato I have NO CLUE how he did the fast one.
@Trombonology
@@serlistogiette4168 I would associate that style of vibrato with pop singing of maybe the '20's, not necessarily anything with a jazz influence. In an interview, Bob admitted that when he was with the Dorsey Brothers, he was essentially too inexperienced to take Bing's place. Bing hadn't, of course, actually been the band's official singer, but he was frequently accompanied by them. Tommy had great respect for Bing's singing and maybe in asking Bob to join, expected to find a similarity. He was disappointed and supposedly said, "I got the wrong Crosby!" For his part, Bob found working with Tommy unpleasant and complained that he was forced to sing out of his range, and never got any arrangements written specifically for him. The vibrato, it seems, was unintentional -- he said it took him "about 20 years to overcome." I think he was trying to attribute it to the less-than-desirable conditions he was working in.
@serlistogiette4168
@@Trombonology Ah I feel bad for Bob. I feel like he was an excellent singer but was always a bit in the shadow of his brother. Now of course objectively his brother was considered to be better but it is like comparing two different brands of aged wine. They both have a specially designed taste and purpose. So I feel like when Bob's songs get overlooked it is a shame.