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.
Good for Nothin' Joe
Charlie Barnet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's not a star in sight
Things are mighty slow
I guess, I'll close up shop
And go home to Joe
I know he won't be glad to see me
Without a penny to the good
I did the best I could
He's just good-for-nothin' Joe
But, oh, I love him so
Guess, I'd die if good-for-nothin' Joe
Ever tried to leave me flat
Oh yes, I'm certain of that
Folks I know can't understand
Why I must have that man
Lord, he sends me like nobody can
Ain't a woman just like that?
I wouldn't mind doin' what I'm doin'
I'd beat these streets till my feet were sore
But when it's slow and I go home to him
Instead of sympathy, he's just as mean as can be
Still there's nothin' I can do
Because I love him so
I'd be good for nothin' too, I know
Without good-for-nothin' Joe
I'd be good for nothin' too, I know
Without good-for-nothin' Joe
I'm goin' home to Joe
The lyrics to Charlie Barnet's song "Good for Nothin' Joe" tell the story of a woman who is facing a difficult situation. The setting is gloomy, with an impending rainstorm and no stars in sight. As a result, the woman decides to close up her shop and head home to her partner, Joe.
The woman acknowledges that Joe won't be happy to see her because she doesn't have any money. However, she doesn't care about that anymore. She did the best she could, and despite Joe being perceived as good-for-nothing, she loves him deeply.
The woman reflects on how strongly she feels for Joe, stating that she would be devastated if he ever tried to leave her without any support. Even though others may not understand her attachment to him, she emphasizes that Joe makes her feel a way that nobody else can. There's a sense of resignation in her acknowledgment of Joe's flaws, yet she remains devoted to him.
Ultimately, the woman admits that she wouldn't mind her current situation if it weren't for Joe's lack of sympathy. She loves him unconditionally, despite his shortcomings. The song portrays a complicated relationship dynamic where the woman's love for Joe overrides any negative treatment she receives from him.
Overall, "Good for Nothin' Joe" is a poignant portrayal of a woman's enduring love for a partner who may not meet societal expectations but means the world to her.
Line by Line Meaning
It's gonna rain any minute
There's trouble coming my way
There's not a star in sight
There's no hope or luck in my life
Things are mighty slow
Business is very slow
I guess, I'll close up shop
I'll finish work for the day
And go home to Joe
And return to my lover Joe
I know he won't be glad to see me
I know he won't be happy to see me
Without a penny to the good
Without any money
But I'm not carin' much what happens
I don't really care about the outcome
I did the best I could
I tried my hardest
He's just good-for-nothin' Joe
He's lazy and worthless
But, oh, I love him so
But, oh, I love him deeply
Guess, I'd die if good-for-nothin' Joe
I would feel devastated if lazy Joe
Ever tried to leave me flat
Ever attempted to abandon me suddenly
Oh yes, I'm certain of that
Oh yes, I am absolutely sure
Folks I know can't understand
People I know can't comprehend
Why I must have that man
Why I must be with that man
Lord, he sends me like nobody can
He pleases me like nobody else
Ain't a woman just like that?
Isn't it typical for a woman?
I wouldn't mind doin' what I'm doin'
I wouldn't mind doing what I'm doing
I'd beat these streets till my feet were sore
I would tirelessly roam these streets
But when it's slow and I go home to him
But when business is slow and I return to him
Instead of sympathy, he's just as mean as can be
Instead of understanding, he's extremely cruel
Still there's nothin' I can do
Yet, I am helpless
Because I love him so
Because I love him deeply
I'd be good for nothin' too, I know
I would be worthless as well, I know
Without good-for-nothin' Joe
Without lazy Joe
I'd be good for nothin' too, I know
I would be worthless as well, I know
Without good-for-nothin' Joe
Without lazy Joe
I'm goin' home to Joe
I'm heading back to Joe
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: RUBE BLOOM, TED KOEHLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dread Milk
Lyrics!
It's gonna rain any minute
There's not a star in sight
Things are mighty slow
I guess, I'll close up shop
And go home to Joe
I know he won't be glad to see me
Without a penny to the good
But I'm not carin' much what happens
I did the best I could
He's just good-for-nothin' Joe
But, oh, I love him so
Guess, I'd die if good-for-nothin' Joe
Ever tried to leave me flat
Oh yes, I'm certain of that
Folks I know can't understand
Why I must have that man
Lord, he sends me like nobody can
Ain't a woman just like that?
I wouldn't mind doin' what I'm doin'
I'd beat these streets till my feet were sore
But when it's slow and I go home to him
Instead of sympathy, he's just as mean as can be
Still there's nothin' I can do
Because I love him so
I'd be good for nothin' too, I know
Without good-for-nothin' Joe
I'd be good for nothin' too, I know
Without good-for-nothin' Joe
I'm goin' home to Joe
Brian G
Another Great Artist with so much Talent, Beauty & Grace. Singing with Charlie Barnet's Band. One of Lena's early hits. Beautifully sad, beautifully sung. Love, Love Lena.
Larry Slemp
Brian G ..... and four years later I read your great comment.....sad that I'm only the second one to like!
Sunshiney Day
Sad song, but true. The vocal is totally amazing. Lena is the BEST.
Delifine
Oh I love this song so much! Thanks for posting!
Jan Skácelík
Best version ever. Love this song
Dread Milk
Lyrics!
It's gonna rain any minute
There's not a star in sight
Things are mighty slow
I guess, I'll close up shop
And go home to Joe
I know he won't be glad to see me
Without a penny to the good
But I'm not carin' much what happens
I did the best I could
He's just good-for-nothin' Joe
But, oh, I love him so
Guess, I'd die if good-for-nothin' Joe
Ever tried to leave me flat
Oh yes, I'm certain of that
Folks I know can't understand
Why I must have that man
Lord, he sends me like nobody can
Ain't a woman just like that?
I wouldn't mind doin' what I'm doin'
I'd beat these streets till my feet were sore
But when it's slow and I go home to him
Instead of sympathy, he's just as mean as can be
Still there's nothin' I can do
Because I love him so
I'd be good for nothin' too, I know
Without good-for-nothin' Joe
I'd be good for nothin' too, I know
Without good-for-nothin' Joe
I'm goin' home to Joe
amorzz100
Gems 💎
AstroSonic1967
Carl, I have this song by Kay Starr on the Modern label on 78. It was a live recording and she changed the line "Instead of sympathy, He's just as mean as can be!" to Instead of sympathy, He beats the hell out of me." I'm going to have to post the version by Kay Starr one of these days.
Erin Condon
We all know a good for nothing Joe.
MetalSlayin Brotha
AHS Murderhouse🔥😎 AHS from Season 1-4 were LIT in my opinion. 1984 was awesome to.