He also championed African-American composers of the same period such as Eubie Blake, James P. Johnson, Andy Razaf, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, presenting their work not in a polemical way, but as simply the obvious equal of that of their white contemporaries.
His dedication to his great love – what he called the "Great American Song" – left him equally adept at performing the witty lyrics of Bessie Smith's "Gimme a Pigfoot (And a Bottle of Beer)" or Gershwin and Duke's "I Can't Get Started." Short stated his favorite songwriters were Ellington, Arlen and Kern, and he was instrumental in spearheading the construction of the Ellington Memorial in New York City.
He was born in Danville, Illinois, United States, where one of his school classmates was Dick Van Dyke. He began performing as a busker after leaving home at the age of eleven for Chicago, with his mother's permission.
He started working in clubs in the 1940s. In 1968 he was offered a two-week stint at the Café Carlyle in New York City, to fill in for George Feyer. Short (accompanied by Beverly Peer on bass and Dick Sheridan on drums) became an institution at the Carlyle, as Feyer had been before him, and remained there as a featured performer for over 35 years. There, a combination of traits – his seemingly effortless elegance; his vocal phrasing (perfected, as was that of Frank Sinatra, at the feet of Miss Mabel Mercer, with perhaps also some help from Ethel Waters); his talent for presenting unknown songs worth knowing while keeping well known songs fresh; his infectious good cheer; and his resolute, self-disciplined professionalism – earned him great respect and made him tremendously popular. Bobby Short was generous with his impromptu all-night performances at his various favorite cafes and restaurants. He was a regular patron at Ted Hook's Backstage, located at Eighth Avenue and Forty-Fifth Street.
1972: Short sings theme song in James Ivory's film Savages.
1976: Short sings and appears in a commercial for Revlon's perfume "Charlie."
1985: Short sings and appears in the beginning portion of the Misfits of Science theme song.
1986: Short appears in the Woody Allen film Hannah and Her Sisters. Then Allen used his recording "I Happen To Like New York" for opening title of Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993).
1991: Short stars as blues musician Ches Collins on the TV series In the Heat of the Night in which he sings the title track, Sweet, Sweet Blues.
1994: Short reprises his role as blues musician Ches Collins on the TV series In the Heat of the Night.
1999: Short appears in the Movie "Man of the Century"
2000: The Library of Congress designates Short a Living Legend, a recognition established as part of its bicentennial celebration.
2003: Short sings and plays piano in at least one episode of 7th Heaven on TV.
2004: Short announces he will end his regular appearances at the Café Carlyle by the end of the year, in favor of touring, traveling and spending time with friends.
2005: Short dies of leukemia at New York Presbyterian Hospital on March 21, 2005, aged 80 and is buried in Atherton Cemetery in Danville, Illinois, the city of his birth.
I've Got You on My Mind
Bobby Short Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But granting all your virtues, Dear, you've certain feelings as well
You don't sing enough, you don't dance enough
You don't drink the great wines of France enough
You're not wild enough
You're not gay enough
You don't let me lead you astray enough
You don't live enough, you don't dare enough
You don't make my sad life sunny enough
Yet, sweetheart, funny enough
I've got you on my mind
Although I'm disinclined,
You're not so hot, you,
But I've got you on my mind
I'd thank the gods above
If I could only love
Somebody not you
But I've got you on my mind
Let my poor upset leisure be
Otherwise my pet treasure be
And arrange to let pleasure be
A bit less refined.
For, darling, not until
I get that famous thrill
Will I be resigned
I've got you on my mind
The lyrics to Bobby Short's song, "I've Got You On My Mind," express a conflicted feeling of love and frustration towards the subject of the song. While the singer acknowledges the positive qualities of their love interest, they also feel dissatisfied with certain aspects of their personality. They list out several things their lover doesn't do enough of, such as singing, dancing, living, and being wild. They also express a desire for their lover to let them lead them astray and make their life more exciting. Despite these criticisms, the singer admits that they can't help but think about their lover constantly and that they're not able to fall in love with anyone else.
The lyrics paint a picture of a relationship that is not perfect but still holds a strong emotional pull. The singer is torn between wanting their lover to change and accepting them for who they are. The repetition of the phrase "I've got you on my mind" emphasizes the intensity of the singer's feelings and the internal struggle they are going through. In the end, the singer seems to accept that they won't be able to move on until they feel that "famous thrill," which may be a reference to a passionate or exciting moment with their lover.
Overall, "I've Got You On My Mind" is a complex portrayal of love and the difficulties that come with accepting someone fully. The lyrics express a mix of affection, frustration, and longing that many people may be able to relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
You can't be much surprised to hear I think you're sweller than swell
It shouldn't come as a surprise to hear that I think you're amazing
But granting all your virtues, Dear, you've certain feelings as well
Despite all your great qualities, you still have some room for improvement
You don't sing enough, you don't dance enough
You should try to sing and dance more often
You don't drink the great wines of France enough
You should indulge in some of the world's finest beverages more frequently
You're not wild enough
You need to have more excitement in your life
You're not gay enough
You need to be more lighthearted and carefree
You don't let me lead you astray enough
You need to be more adventurous and let me show you some new experiences
You don't live enough, you don't dare enough
You should take more risks and live life to the fullest
You don't give enough, you don't care enough
You need to show more generosity and empathy towards others
You don't make my sad life sunny enough
You should try to bring more happiness and joy to my life
Yet, sweetheart, funny enough
Despite all this, I still find you amusing and enjoyable
I've got you on my mind
You're always on my mind
Although I'm disinclined,
Even though I don't really want to
You're not so hot, you,
You're not perfect, but
But I've got you on my mind
I can't help but think about you
I'd thank the gods above
I would be grateful to a higher power
If I could only love
If I could only fall in love with
Somebody not you
Anyone other than you
But I've got you on my mind
I can't stop thinking about you, no matter how hard I try
Let my poor upset leisure be
Let me relax and unwind from my chaotic life
Otherwise my pet treasure be
Or else my beloved possession will be lost
And arrange to let pleasure be
And plan to have some enjoyable experiences
A bit less refined.
Without worrying too much about perfection
For, darling, not until
Because, my dear, only when
I get that famous thrill
I experience that wonderful rush of emotion
Will I be resigned
Will I be able to accept my current situation
I've got you on my mind
You're always on my mind
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLE PORTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind