And yet Charlie Barnet was only significant in jazz for about a decade (1939-1949). Although his family wanted him to be a lawyer, he was a professional musician by the time he was 16 and ironically in his career made more money than he would have in business. Barnet arrived in New York in 1932 and started leading bands on records the following year, but his career was quite erratic until 1939. Many of Barnet's early records are worthy but some are quite commercial as he attempted to find a niche. Best is a sideman appearance on a 1934 Red Norvo date that also includes Artie Shaw and Teddy Wilson.
In 1939, with the hit recording of "Cherokee" and a very successful run at the Famous Door in New York, Charlie Barnet soon became a household name. In addition to the fine trumpeter Bobby Burnet (who soloed on many of Barnet's Bluebird records), such sidemen as guitarist Bus Etri; drummer Cliff Leeman; singers Lena Horne, Francis Wayne, and Kay Starr; pianist Dodo Marmarosa; clarinetist Buddy DeFranco; guitarist Barney Kessel; and even trumpeter Roy Eldridge spent time with Barnet's bands. Although at the height of his popularity during 1939-1942 (when his orchestra could often play a close imitation of Ellington's), Barnet's recordings for Decca during 1942-1946 were also of great interest with "Skyliner" being a best-seller.
By 1947 Barnet was starting to look toward bop. Clark Terry was his star trumpeter that year, and in 1949 his screaming trumpet section included Maynard Ferguson, Doc Severinsen, Rolf Ericson, and Ray Wetzel. Barnet, however, soon lost interest and near the end of 1949 he broke up his band. Semi-retired throughout the remainder of his life, Charlie Barnet occasionally led swing-oriented big bands during short tours and appearances, making his last recording in 1966.
Empty Saddles
Charlie Barnet Lyrics
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There's a breeze, though the wind has died
Though I'm alone in the old corral
Seems there is someone at my side
Empty saddles in the old corral
Where do you ride tonight?
Are you roundin' up the dogies, the strays of long ago
Empty saddles in the old corral
Where do you ride tonight?
Are there rustlers on the border, or a band of Navajo
Are you headin' for the Alamo?
Empty guns covered with rust
Where do you talk tonight?
Empty boots covered with dust
Where do you walk tonight?
Empty saddles in the old corral
My tears will be dried tonight
If you'll only say I'm lonely as you carry my old pal
Empty saddles in the old corral
There is no smoke, still the fires burn,
There's no song, still I hear guitars,
There is no dust, still the ghosts return
Softly to vanish through the bars
The lyrics of Charlie Barnet's song "Empty Saddles" paint a somber and nostalgic picture of the old west. The first paragraph sets the tone by describing a strange and eerie atmosphere in the old corral. Despite being alone, the singer feels a presence, indicating a sense of longing and longing for companionship.
The chorus, "Empty saddles in the old corral, where do you ride tonight?" further emphasizes the absence of riders and their horses. The empty saddles symbolize the void left behind by those who have departed. It raises the question of where these riders have gone and what they might be doing in the present. The mention of rounding up dogies (stray cattle), the trail of buffalo, and possible encounters with rustlers or Native tribes like the Navajo creates a sense of adventure, but also hints at the dangerous and unpredictable nature of the old west.
The second paragraph turns the focus to empty guns covered with rust and empty boots covered with dust. These images add to the desolation and abandonment felt in the old corral. The guns and boots represent the absence of action and movement, suggesting that those who once occupied them have either met a tragic fate or moved on to new horizons. The questions posed -- "Where do you talk tonight? Where do you walk tonight?" -- further emphasize the longing for connection and companionship with the departed.
The lyrics of the final chorus reinforce the theme of loneliness and loss. The empty saddles serve as a reminder of the singer's own sadness, and they express a desire for someone to acknowledge and understand their feelings. The mention of tears being dried indicates a longing for solace and comfort. The use of the term "old pal" suggests that the absent riders were once close companions, intensifying the emotional impact.
The concluding lines of the song add a touch of melancholy and nostalgia. The absence of smoke, song, and dust suggests a lack of life and vibrancy, yet the presence of ghosts introduces a sense of lingering spirits. These phantoms from the past come back briefly before ultimately fading away, highlighting the transient nature of memories and the bittersweet longing for what was lost. Ultimately, the lyrics of "Empty Saddles" convey a sense of longing, loneliness, and the deep connection people feel with the past and the individuals who have departed.
Line by Line Meaning
There's something strange in the old corral
In the familiar place, there is an unexplained presence
There's a breeze, though the wind has died
Despite the absence of wind, a gentle gust can still be felt
Though I'm alone in the old corral
Even though I am the only one present in this place
Seems there is someone at my side
It appears as if there is a companion by my side
Empty saddles in the old corral
Unoccupied horse saddles within the familiar enclosure
Where do you ride tonight?
Where is your journey taking you at this moment?
Are you roundin' up the dogies, the strays of long ago
Are you herding the wandering cattle, those lost in the past?
Are you on the trail of buffalo?
Are you pursuing the path of the mighty buffalo?
Are there rustlers on the border, or a band of Navajo
Are there cattle thieves along the border, or a group of Native Americans?
Are you headin' for the Alamo?
Are you making your way towards the historic Alamo?
Empty guns covered with rust
Unused firearms, now tarnished with rust
Where do you talk tonight?
Where are your words being exchanged tonight?
Empty boots covered with dust
Unoccupied boots, coated in layers of dirt
Where do you walk tonight?
Where are your footsteps leading you tonight?
My tears will be dried tonight
My sadness and sorrow will fade away tonight
If you'll only say I'm lonely as you carry my old pal
If you would just acknowledge my loneliness as you bear my dear friend
There is no smoke, still the fires burn
Though there is no visible sign, the flames of passion continue to blaze
There's no song, still I hear guitars
Even in the absence of melody, the sound of guitars reaches my ears
There is no dust, still the ghosts return
Despite the absence of debris, the spirits come back
Softly to vanish through the bars
Gently fading away, disappearing through the confinement of barriers
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: BRENNEN HILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind