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 a Crush On You
Bobby Short Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Would be to capture me
But you had such persistence, you wore down my resistance
I fell and it was swell
I'm your big and brave and handsome Romeo
How I won you I shall never, never know
It's not that you're attractive
When you came into view
I've got a crush on you, sweetie pie
All the day and night-time give me sign
I never had the least notion that
I could fall with so much emotion
Could you coo, could you care
For a cunning cottage we could share
The world will pardon my mush
'Cause I have got a crush on you
Could you coo, could you care
For a cunning cottage
That we could share
The world will pardon my mush
'Cause I have got a crush, my baby, on you
In "I've Got a Crush on You" by Bobby Short, the singer is addressing an individual who has successfully caught their attention and affection. They acknowledge that there are many other people who would be interested in pursuing them, but somehow this person caught their eye and wouldn't give up until they had won their heart. The singer compares themselves to a "big and brave and handsome Romeo" who is amazed that they were able to win this person over. It's not necessarily because this person is physically attractive, but rather because something about them makes the singer's heart race when they're in their presence.
The chorus of the song expresses the singer's feelings very directly: they have a crush on this person, and it's consuming their thoughts day and night. They never thought they could feel such strong emotions for someone else. The final verse asks this person if they could potentially see themselves in a relationship with the singer, living in a cozy little cottage together. The singer recognizes that their feelings may be seen as "mushy" or overly sentimental, but they don't care because they are so smitten.
Line by Line Meaning
How glad the many millions of Annabelles and Lillians
There are many women in the world, all with different names.
Would be to capture me
They would all be happy if they could have me as their partner.
But you had such persistence, you wore down my resistance
You were very persistent, and you were able to wear down my defenses and make me fall for you.
I fell and it was swell
I fell in love with you, and it felt great.
I'm your big and brave and handsome Romeo
I want to be your protector and your lover.
How I won you I shall never, never know
I'm not sure how I was able to win your heart.
It's not that you're attractive
You're not necessarily the most physically attractive person I've ever met.
But, oh, my heart grew active
But despite that, my heart became very passionate and energetic when I saw you.
When you came into view
As soon as I saw you for the first time.
I've got a crush on you, sweetie pie
I have a strong attraction and fondness for you, my dear.
All the day and night-time give me sign
Throughout the day and night, I see signs that make me think of you and feel affection for you.
I never had the least notion that
I never would have thought that
I could fall with so much emotion
I could fall in love with so much passion and intensity.
Could you coo, could you care
Would you be willing and able to express your love and affection for me?
For a cunning cottage we could share
Do you want to live in a small, cozy house with me?
The world will pardon my mush
People will forgive me for being sentimental and romantic.
'Cause I have got a crush on you
Because I am deeply, passionately in love with you.
Could you coo, could you care
Would you be willing and able to express your love and affection for me?
For a cunning cottage
For a small, cozy house that we could share.
That we could share
That we could live in together and call our own.
The world will pardon my mush
People will forgive me for being sentimental and romantic.
'Cause I have got a crush, my baby, on you
Because I am deeply, passionately in love with you, my dear.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind