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.
Merry-Go-Round
Charlie Barnet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
New Music Daily
I gotta have you now, it's not an option.
You're taking off your blouse and I'm watching.
In front of your mirror, I turn the curtain down.
I couldn't be any clearer what we're gonna do now.
I wanna see you riding and grinding and
Gonna have to keep quiet trying to keep it down.
You're taking off my shirt for another go round.
For another go round.
For another go round.
I gotta have you now, just can't take it.
I wanna put you down when we're faded.
At the top of your lungs, you'll be screaming my name.
And we've gone too far to call it all the way.
I'll pick you up and lay you on the kitchen counter.
Say you couldn't do without it, I'm okay if you're about it.
Down on every direction, got me hypnotized.
I'm hallucinating, going out of my mind.
For another go round
For another go round
The lyrics to Charlie Barnet's song "Merry-Go-Round" are quite explicit, describing a sexual encounter between the singer and his partner. The singer expresses his desire for his partner, saying that it's not an option for him to not have her. He watches as she undresses in front of her mirror and turns down the curtain, indicating that he wants privacy. He then tells her that they're going to have sex, expressing his desire to see her "riding and grinding" and "colliding" with him. They have to keep quiet so as not to be heard, and after they're done, they go for another round.
The singer's language throughout the song is aggressive and passionate, indicating a level of lust that cannot be ignored. He wants his partner now and cannot wait any longer. He describes their encounter as being wild and intense, with both of them losing themselves in the moment. The repetition of the phrase "for another go round" reinforces the idea that they want more and that their desire for each other is insatiable.
Overall, the lyrics to "Merry-Go-Round" are quite explicit and may not be suitable for some listeners. The song is about pure physical attraction and the passion that comes with it. It is a song for those who are unapologetically passionate and lustful.
Line by Line Meaning
I gotta have you now, it's not an option.
I want to be with you right now and I won't take no for an answer.
You're taking off your blouse and I'm watching.
You're undressing and I am looking at you.
In front of your mirror, I turn the curtain down.
I want some privacy while we do what we're about to do.
I couldn't be any clearer what we're gonna do now.
I think it's obvious what we're about to do.
I wanna see you riding and grinding and
I want to watch you move and grind against me.
We're gonna get it right we're colliding we're
Our bodies are going to collide and we will have sex.
Gonna have to keep quiet trying to keep it down.
We need to be quiet because others might hear us.
You're taking off my shirt for another go round.
We're going to have sex again.
I gotta have you now, just can't take it.
I want to have sex with you now and I can't wait any longer.
I wanna put you down when we're faded.
I want to have sex with you when we are under the influence of drugs/alcohol (faded).
At the top of your lungs, you'll be screaming my name.
You will be screaming my name loudly when we have sex.
And we've gone too far to call it all the way.
We have already come this far sexually, might as well finish.
I'll pick you up and lay you on the kitchen counter.
I will lift you up and have sex with you on the kitchen counter.
Say you couldn't do without it, I'm okay if you're about it.
Tell me you need sex as much as I do and I'll be happy to do it.
Down on every direction, got me hypnotized.
Your movements are mesmerizing and I am turned on by them.
I'm hallucinating, going out of my mind.
You are so attractive I feel like I am losing my mind.
For another go round
Let's have sex again.
For another go round.
Let's have sex again.
Writer(s): Charlie Parker
Contributed by Jason R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Stefan Avalos
I have been searching for this for almost forty years. I taped it off AM radio in the early 80s and have typed in the lyrics into internet search engines for twenty years.
Thank you!!!
Possibly Li
Great song! An amazingly catchy melody and sounds amazing on an orthophonic capable machine. Buff Bluebirds are the best!
Roger Ford
Kathleen “Kitty” Lane, one of George T. Simon’s favorite girl singers, and mine, too. Such a shame she recorded so few sides.
patriciobsas278
Lovely version