He began on alto saxophone, but quickly switched to tenor making a name for himself in bands like Andy Kirk's. He joined Count Basie's band in 1939 and stayed with him until 1948. He had been selected by Basie due to the sudden death of Herschel Evans, which Tate states he predicted in a dream. After his period with Basie ended he worked with several other bands before his own gained success starting in 1953 in Harlem. His band would work at the "Celebrity Club" there until 1974. After that he co-led a band with Paul Quinichette and worked with Benny Goodman in the late 1970s.
In 1981 he was seriously injured by scalding water at a hotel shower and later suffered from a serious illness. The 1990s saw him slow down, but he remained active playing with Lionel Hampton among others.
In 1992 he also took part in the documentary, Texas Tenor: The Illinois Jacquet Story. He lived in New York until 2001 when he moved to Arizona to be cared for by his daughter. He died soon after, aged 87.
Day By Day
Buddy Tate Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And day by day my love seems to grow
There isn't any end to my devotion
It's deeper dear by far than any ocean
I find that day by day you're making all my dreams come true
So come what may I want you to know
I'm yours alone, and I'm in love to stay
Buddy Tate's song, "Day By Day," is a beautiful ode to the power of love. The song speaks about how the singer's love for their partner grows deeper day by day. The lyrics are an embodiment of the romantic notion that love is an everlasting emotion that grows and thrives given the right conditions. The singer expresses their undying love and devotion to their partner that grows with each passing day, and that there is no limit to their commitment.
The lyrics also touch on the theme of dreams fulfilled. The singer talks about how their partner is making all of their dreams come true day by day, emphasizing the importance of love in the fulfillment of personal aspirations. The song gives off an optimistic and positive outlook on love and its role in shaping one's life. The emotional power of the song is intensified by the use of the oceanic metaphor, an image of endless depth and vastness that captures the depth of the singer's love and devotion.
Line by Line Meaning
Day by day I'm falling more in love with you
Each passing day, my affection towards you increases
And day by day my love seems to grow
As time passes, my love for you continues to intensify
There isn't any end to my devotion
My commitment to you has no limit or conclusion
It's deeper dear by far than any ocean
My love for you transcends even the vastest seas
I find that day by day you're making all my dreams come true
You are making my aspirations a reality with each passing day
So come what may I want you to know
Regardless of what happens, I need you to understand
I'm yours alone, and I'm in love to stay
I belong to you exclusively, and my love for you is unshakeable
As we go through the years day by day
As time progresses, my love for you remains constant and unwavering
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Sammy Cahn, Alex Stordhal, Paul Weston
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind