Calloway was a master of energetic scat singing and led one of the United States' most popular big bands, Cab Calloway and his Orchestra, from the start of the 1930s through to the late 1940s. Calloway's band featured performers including trumpeters Dizzy Gillespie and Doc Cheatham, saxophonists Ben Webster and Chu Berry, New Orleans guitar ace Danny Barker and bassist Milt Hinton. Calloway continued to perform until his death in 1994 at the age of 86.
Calloway was born to a middle-class family in Rochester, New York, and lived there until 1918. He later lived in Baltimore, Maryland. His father, Cabell Calloway II, was a lawyer, and his mother, Martha Eulalia Reed, was a teacher and church organist. His parents recognised their son's musical talent, and he began private voice lessons in 1922. He continued to study music and voice throughout his formal schooling. Despite his parents' and vocal teachers' disapproval of jazz, Calloway began frequenting and eventually performing in many of Baltimore's jazz clubs, where he was mentored by drummer Chick Webb and pianist Johnny Jones.
After graduating from high school, Calloway joined his older sister, Blanche, in a touring production of the popular black musical revue Plantation Days (Blanche Calloway herself went on to become an accomplished bandleader before her brother did, and he often credited his inspiration to enter show business to her). Calloway attended Lincoln University, Pennsylvania , and left in 1930 without graduating.
When the tour ended in Chicago in the autumn, Cab decided to remain in Chicago with his sister, who had an established career as a jazz singer in that city. His parents had hopes of their son becoming a lawyer like his father, so Calloway enrolled in Crane College. His main interest, however, was in singing and entertaining, and he spent most of his nights at the Dreamland Cafe, the Sunset Cafe, and the Club Berlin, performing as a drummer, singer, and emcee. At the Sunset Cafe he met and performed with Louis Armstrong who taught him to sing in the scat style.
The Cotton Club was the premier jazz venue in the country, and Cab Calloway and his Orchestra (he had taken over a brilliant but failing band called "The Missourians" in 1930) were hired as a replacement for the Duke Ellington Orchestra while they were touring. Calloway quickly proved so popular that his band became the co-house band with Ellington's, and he and his group began touring nationwide when not playing at the Cotton Club. Their popularity was greatly enhanced by the twice-weekly live national radio broadcasts on NBC at the Cotton Club. Calloway also appeared on Walter Winchell's radio program and with Bing Crosby in his show at the Paramount Theatre. As a result of these appearances, Calloway, together with Ellington, broke the major broadcast network colour barrier.
Unlike many other bands of comparable commercial success, Calloway's gave ample soloing space to its lead members, and, through the varied arrangements of Walter 'Foots' Thomas, provided much more in the way of musical interest.
In 1931, he recorded his most famous song, "Minnie the Moocher". That song, together with "St James Infirmary Blues" and "The Old Man of the Mountain", were performed for the Betty Boop animated shorts Minnie the Moocher, Snow White, and The Old Man of the Mountain respectively. Through rotoscoping, Cab not only gave his voice to these cartoons but his dance steps as well. Cab took advantage of this and timed his concerts in some communities with the release of the films in order to make the most of the attention. As a result of the success of "Minnie the Moocher" he became identified with its chorus, gaining the nickname "The Hi De Ho Man". He also performed in a series of short films for Paramount in the 1930s (Calloway and Ellington were featured on film more than any other Jazz Orchestra of the era). In 1943 he appeared in the high-profile 20th Century Fox musical film, Stormy Weather.
In his later career, Calloway became a popular personality, appearing in a number of films and stage productions that utilised both his acting and singing talents. In 1952, he played the prominent role of Sportin' Life in a production of the Gershwin opera Porgy and Bess. Another notable role was Yeller in The Cincinnati Kid (1965). In 1967 Calloway co-starred as Horace Vandergelder in an all-black revival of Hello, Dolly! (even though the original production was still running) starring Pearl Bailey. This was a major success, and led to a cast recording released by RCA. In 1973-1974 he was featured in an unsuccessful Broadway revival of The Pajama Game.
Calloway attracted renewed interest in 1980 when he appeared as a supporting character in the film The Blues Brothers, performing "Minnie the Moocher", and again when he sang "The Jumpin' Jive" with the Two-Headed Monster on Sesame Street. This was also the year in which the cult film Forbidden Zone was released, which included rearrangements and parodies of Cab Calloway songs written by Danny Elfman, a Calloway fan.
On 18th November 1994 Calloway died, having suffered a major stroke six months earlier. In 1998, The Cab Calloway Orchestra (directed by Cab's grandson C. "CB" Calloway Brooks) was formed to honour Cab Calloway's legacy nationally and internationally.
Hoy-Hoy
Cab Calloway Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you're full of joy
Just beat your heart, roll your eyes, say hoy
Hoy-hoy
When you're feeling high every girl and boy
Will talk a little, peck just a little bit
Hoy-hoy, hoy, hoy-hoy-hoy
Climb into the bandwagon don't be too late
Get your shoes shined it's everyone's fate
If the babies in the cradle
Have found a new toy
Then they throw the rattle away
And say hoy, hoy, hoy, hoy
The lyrics to Cab Calloway's song "Hoy-Hoy" describe the feeling of being in the groove and filled with joy. The song encourages listeners to express their happiness by beating their hearts, rolling their eyes, and saying "hoy." This may be interpreted as a call to let go of inhibitions and fully embrace the moment.
The lyrics suggest that when people are in a state of euphoria, it becomes contagious. Everyone around, regardless of gender or age, will join in and talk a little, express affectionate gestures, and say "hoy." This portrays a sense of unity and celebration.
The song also alludes to the idea of seizing the moment. Calloway sings about climbing onto the bandwagon and not being too late. This could symbolize a reminder to take advantage of opportunities and not miss out on the joyous experiences that life presents.
In the last verse, the song mentions babies in the cradle finding a new toy. This can be seen as a metaphor for discovering something exciting or novel. The babies throw away their old rattle, signifying a willingness to let go of the past and embrace new happiness.
Overall, "Hoy-Hoy" exudes a sense of exuberance and encourages listeners to let loose, share the joy, and fully embrace the present moment.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're in the groove
When you're in a great state of mind and everything is going smoothly
And you're full of joy
And you're filled with happiness and excitement
Just beat your heart, roll your eyes, say hoy
Express your enthusiasm and energy by pounding your chest, rolling your eyes, and shouting 'hoy'
Hoy-hoy
A joyful exclamation to emphasize the excitement and energy
When you're feeling high every girl and boy
When you feel uplifted, enthusiastic, and happy, it affects everyone around you
Will talk a little, peck just a little bit
People will engage in small talk and show affection, even if it's just a little
Hoy-hoy, hoy, hoy-hoy-hoy
Continuing to express joy and excitement through the exclamation 'hoy'
Climb into the bandwagon don't be too late
Join in and participate in the excitement and enjoyment before it's too late
Get your shoes shined it's everyone's fate
Prepare yourself and be ready to fully embrace the experience as it is something everyone is destined to be a part of
If the babies in the cradle
Even the youngest and most innocent individuals
Have found a new toy
Have discovered something new and exciting
Then they throw the rattle away
They discard their old and mundane possessions
And say hoy, hoy, hoy, hoy
And express their joy and excitement through the exclamation 'hoy'
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@r.l.2517
One of my favorite of many Cab Calloway songs. Smooth.
@DhionatasLegends
King dice
@JJMac-tl3xg
what year was this released?
@DhionatasLegends
J.J. Mac dhhsjs
@carllafong4791
1938