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.
The Wrong Idea
Charlie Barnet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
We've come a long way from where we began,
Oh I'll tell you all about it when I see you again, when I see you again.
Why'd you have to leave so soon, yeah,
Why'd you have to go,
Why'd you have to leave me when I needed you the most,
I know you're in a better place but it's always going to hurt,
Carry on,
Give me all the strength I need to carry on.
It's been a long day without you my friend,
And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
We've come a long way from where we began,
Oh I'll tell you all about it when I see you again, when I see you again.
Ooooooooooooooo
How do I breathe without you feeling so cold,
I'll be waiting right here for ya till the day you're home.
Carry on,
Give me all the strength I need to carry on.
So let the light guide your way, yeah,
Hold every memory as you go,
And every road you take will always lead you home, home
It's been a long day without you my friend,
And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
We've come a long way from where we began,
Oh I'll tell you all about it when I see you again, when I see you again.
Ooooooooooooooo
When I see you again, see you again, When I see you again
The lyrics of Charlie Barnet's song "The Wrong Idea" are emotionally charged and poignant, revolving around themes of loss, longing, and the eventual hope for reconnection in the afterlife. The singer reflects on the absence of a dear friend and the deep impact their departure has had on them. The opening lines convey a sense of time passing and the anticipation of being reunited with their friend in the future, highlighting the growth and distance that has come between them since the beginning of their relationship.
The lament of the singer is palpable as they question the circumstances of their friend's sudden departure, expressing confusion and pain at being left when they needed them the most. The emotional weight of their absence is profound, with the singer grappling with the conflicting feelings of knowing their friend is in a better place while still feeling the enduring ache of their absence. The plea for strength to carry on in the face of this loss underscores the resilience and vulnerability woven throughout the lyrics.
The repeated refrain of "It's been a long day without you my friend" serves as a poignant reminder of the void left by their friend's absence and the yearning for their return. The singer vows to keep their memory alive and to await the day when they can be reunited once more. The imagery of waiting for their friend until the day they come home evokes a sense of steadfast loyalty and unwavering love, demonstrating the enduring bond between them.
The concluding lines about letting the light guide their friend's way, cherishing memories, and finding solace in the knowledge that every road will eventually lead them back home encapsulate a sense of acceptance, closure, and hope for the future. The ultimate promise of reuniting with their friend when they see them again reinforces the enduring nature of their connection and the belief in a reunion beyond this life. Overall, the lyrics of "The Wrong Idea" evoke feelings of love, loss, and the enduring power of friendship that transcends time and distance.
Line by Line Meaning
It's been a long day without you my friend,
Reflecting on the absence of a close friend and the impact it has had on me throughout the day.
And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
I look forward to sharing all my experiences with you when we reunite.
We've come a long way from where we began,
Acknowledging the journey we have been on together and the progress we have made.
Oh I'll tell you all about it when I see you again, when I see you again.
Reiterating my desire to catch up with you and share everything when we meet again.
Why'd you have to leave so soon, yeah,
Expressing sadness and confusion over your sudden departure.
Why'd you have to go,
Questioning the reasons behind your departure.
Why'd you have to leave me when I needed you the most,
Feeling abandoned during a time when I needed your support the most.
'Cause I don't really know how to tell ya that I'm feeling much worse,
Struggling to convey the depth of my emotions and the impact of your absence on me.
I know you're in a better place but it's always going to hurt,
Understanding that you are now in a better place, but still feeling the pain of your absence.
Carry on,
Finding the strength to continue and persevere despite the challenges.
Give me all the strength I need to carry on.
Asking for support and strength to keep going in the face of adversity.
Ooooooooooooooo
A musical interlude expressing emotions of longing and nostalgia.
How do I breathe without you feeling so cold,
Struggling to cope without your comforting presence and warmth.
I'll be waiting right here for ya till the day you're home.
Patiently anticipating your return until the day we are reunited.
So let the light guide your way, yeah,
Wishing for guidance and protection for you on your journey.
Hold every memory as you go,
Encouraging you to cherish our shared memories as you continue forward.
And every road you take will always lead you home, home
Believing that every path you choose will eventually bring you back home.
When I see you again, see you again, When I see you again
Anticipating the joy of reuniting with you and reconnecting when we finally meet again.
Writer(s): Charlie Barnet
Contributed by Brody E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@deejay830
Both styles have their pluses and minuses but all the bands of this era had one thing in common, a superb standard of musicianship and arranging that has never been bettered
@alexkije
They were all in-tune and on-time.
@jlassie
Sammy Kaye really threw a fit when this record came out, and switched to Varsity Records in retaliation against Victor. I think he took it personally how the recording company actually pressed it under the name 'Sing and Sweat with Charlie Barnet', since it was an obvious dig at his own 'Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye'. But tempers appeared to have cooled a few months later, and he returned back to Victor after Varsity went bankrupt.
@scottstacey7447
If that was the case, than it was highly ironic that Charlie Barnet would take his date to hear Sammy Kaye every time their bands played in the same town. Kaye asked Barnet why Barnet would come by so often, Charlie replied, "When I want to romance a girl, I would take her to dance to this band."
@larryshackley8074
Billy May was just 23 when he co-wrote this song with Charlie Barnet. The beginning of a great career.
@americandancebands814
Billy May got his start playing trombone and arranging with the Pittsburgh territory Baron Elliott Orchestra. His sense of musicianship and humor were exemplified by his own Capital instrumental recordings of the 1950s. He also directed and produced the accompaniment for Sinatra's "comeback" sides, e.g. "South of the Border."
His sense of satire was really exemplified by "Wunnerful Wunnerful" Capital's spoof of the Lawrence Welk Show, which he also produced and directed.
@larryshackley8074
@@americandancebands814 - That's how I first became acquainted with him: via Stan Freberg! Clearly Billy May maintained his hatred for "cute bands" for decades!
@scotnick59
Incredibly, Charlie married (legally albeit briefly) 11 times
@jlassie
Barnet spoofs Kay Kyser head on in the intro to the vocal, adopting a fake southern drawl and crediting May as 'Slappy Havert', a clear reference to Kyser's own Sully Mason (who May appears to be intentionally imitating). Plus, the band is playing Barnet's own theme song, 'Make Believe Ballroom' behind the vocal intro, similar to how Kyser always ran through a riff of his theme song, 'Thinking Of You'.
@RecordCollector96
And he spoofs a tenor band at 2:10.