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.
Rhapsody In Blue
Charlie Barnet Lyrics
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I'm somewhere in another world, alone with you
Sharing all the joys we used to know
Many moons ago
Once again your face comes back to me
Just like the theme of some forgotten melody
In the album of my memory
It seems like only yesterday
The small cafe, a crowded floor
And as we danced the night away
I hear you say forever more
And then the song became a sigh
Forever more became goodbye
Cause you remained in my heart, but
Tell me darling in there still a spark?
Or only lonely ashes of the flame we knew
Should I go on whistling in the dark,
Serenade in blue
The lyrics of Charlie Barnet's song "Rhapsody In Blue" depict a person who is nostalgically transported to a world of memories through music. The Serenade in Blue, which is the title of another popular song, is used as a trigger to evoke memories of a lost love. The singer recalls a time when they were together with their lover sharing the joys of life that were experienced "many moons ago." The mention of the theme of the forgotten melody is symbolic of how memories can be preserved like notes in albums of our minds. The Serenade in Blue represents the sentimental connection that the singer has with their lover, which they desperately want to rekindle.
As the song progresses, the singer becomes more introspective about his feelings toward his lost love. They ask themselves whether the flame they once shared still burns or whether all that remains are only lonely ashes. The phrase "whistling in the dark" connotes uncertainty, where the singer is unsure of the future of their past relationship. They question whether it is worth taking the risk of reaching out to their ex-lover, knowing that they might not feel the same way. In essence, the song portrays the bittersweet feelings one experiences when attempting to rekindle a lost love.
Line by Line Meaning
When I hear that Serenade in blue
Whenever I listen to the melody of Serenade in blue
I'm somewhere in another world, alone with you
I feel like I have been transported to another world where we are both alone
Sharing all the joys we used to know
Reminiscing on all the happy moments we shared in the past
Many moons ago
A long time has passed since we last shared those moments together
Once again your face comes back to me
I start to think about you once again
Just like the theme of some forgotten melody
Similar to how a forgotten melody flickers in my memory, your face appears too
In the album of my memory
In my mind's eye, where I store all my cherished memories
It seems like only yesterday
It feels like it happened not too long ago
The small cafe, a crowded floor
The memories of the small cafe fill my mind - one that was so crowded
And as we danced the night away
As we danced until the night was over
I hear you say forever more
I recollect you whisper 'forever more' in my ears
And then the song became a sigh
As time passed, the song transformed into a sigh
Forever more became goodbye
'Forever more' that was whispered earlier, turned into a goodbye
Cause you remained in my heart, but
Despite it all, you always had a special place in my heart
Tell me darling in there still a spark?
Do you think there is still hope for us, my beloved?
Or only lonely ashes of the flame we knew
Perhaps, all that remains is just the remnants of the passion we felt for each other
Should I go on whistling in the dark,
Should I still continue to hope for a brighter future with you?
Serenade in blue
This melody, Serenade in Blue, brings back so many memories to me
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Warren, Mack Gordon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind