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.
I Want to Rock
Cab Calloway Lyrics
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Wouldn't it be fun for each one to rock all of the time
I want to rock, just rock, it's a pleasure to swing
Come and join the crowd, shout out loud, rock is really the thing
You have to stomp your feet and clap your hands so come on, begin
We're gonna swing and sway till that great day
So lace up your shoes, throw 'way your blues
Take a little bow, step on out, come and rock it with me
Oh, rock it, rock it, rock it, brother Calloway
Hold the rock here (digthis little break then cut on out)
Solid, boys, that beat, I want to rock, just rock, yes, the feeling is fine
Wouldn't it be fun for each one to rock all of the time (beat that jam on out)
I want to rock it and a rock it and a rock it and a rock it, it's a pleasure to swing
Come and join me crowd, shout out loud rock is feeling the thing
(Oh, rock it, pa)
You stomp your feet and clap your hands so come on, begin
We're gonna swing and sway till that great day
Lace up your shoes, throw away your blues
Rock, rock
It's easy and free
Take a little bow, step up now, come on, rock it with me
In Cab Calloway's "I Want to Rock," the lyrics express the singer's desire to dance and rock to the rhythm of the music. The repetition of the phrase "I want to rock, just rock" emphasizes how much the singer desires to feel the music and encourages others to join in. The lyrics are meant to be fun and upbeat, urging the listener to stomp their feet and clap their hands along to the music. The emphasis on the pleasure and easy-going nature of rocking, and the encouragement to throw away one's blues, highlights the therapeutic value of music.
Moreover, the lyrics repeatedly use the word "swing," which is a staple genre of jazz music. The reference to jazz is not only prevalent through the word choice, but throughout the entire song. This is due to the stop-time sections, which are sections where the band would play only on specific beats, and the lead singer or the horn section would play rhythmically on their own. Another important aspect of the song is the scatting section, which was a popular improvised vocal technique invented by Cab Calloway himself. This section adds an energetic layer to the song and adds to the theme of having fun while listening to music.
In conclusion, "I Want to Rock" is an energetic and fun jazz song that encourages people to dance and rock to the rhythm of the music. The scatting section, the stop-time sections, and the use of swing as a genre showcases the innovation and creativity of jazz music.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to rock, just rock, if the feeling is fine
I want to engage in the rhythm and energy of rock music, but only if it feels enjoyable and invigorating.
Wouldn't it be fun for each one to rock all of the time
Imagine how enjoyable life would be if everyone could constantly experience the thrill of rock music together.
I want to rock, just rock, it's a pleasure to swing
Swinging and moving to the beat of rock music is an enjoyable and pleasurable experience for me.
Come and join the crowd, shout out loud, rock is really the thing
I invite others to join me in experiencing the excitement of rock music, and encourage them to express themselves freely with enthusiasm.
You have to stomp your feet and clap your hands so come on, begin
To truly engage in rock music, it is critical to express oneself physically by rhythmically stomping and clapping, so let's start moving!
We're gonna swing and sway till that great day
Let's keep moving and grooving to the beat of rock music until we eventually reach a point of ultimate musical euphoria.
So lace up your shoes, throw 'way your blues
Get ready to enjoy and experience the fun and excitement of rock music while leaving behind any negative emotions or worries.
I want to rock, just rock, it's so easy and free
Rock music is a simple and liberating experience that is accessible and enjoyable for everyone to engage in.
Take a little bow, step on out, come and rock it with me
Let's celebrate and embrace the thrill of rock music together by taking a bow, stepping forward, and engaging in the music with passion and enthusiasm.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BUSTER HARDING, LARRY CLINTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind