Chick Webb represented the triumph of the human spirit in jazz and life. Hunchbacked, small in stature, almost a dwarf with a large face and broad shoulders, Webb fought off congenital tuberculosis of the spine in order to become one of the most competitive drummers and band leaders of the big band era. Perched high upon a platform, he used custom-made pedals, goose-neck cymbal holders, a 28-inch bass drum and a wide variety of other percussion instruments to create thundering solos of a complexity and energy that paved the way for Buddy Rich (who studied Webb intensely) and Louie Bellson.
William Henry Webb bought his first set of drums with his earnings as a newsboy, and he began playing in bands on pleasure boats. After moving to New York in 1925, he led bands in various clubs before settling in for long regular runs at the Savoy beginning in 1931. Although Benny Carter and Johnny Hodges played with the band early on, the Webb band was oddly short on major soloists during its heyday from the mid-'30s onward; the young alto sax player Louis Jordan made the biggest impression after leaving the band. But the band made up for it with a crisp ensemble sound, Webb's disciplined, ferociously driving drum pyrotechnics, trumpeter Taft Jordan's impressions of Louis Armstrong, and most of all, a series of strong compositions and charts by Edgar Sampson ("Blue Lou" and "Stomping at the Savoy" among them). In 1935, Webb hired the teenaged Ella Fitzgerald after she won a talent contest at the Apollo Theatre, became her legal guardian, and rebuilt his show around the singer, who provided him with his biggest hit record, "A Tisket-A-Tasket," in 1938. The band's fame continued to grow, fueled by its reputation as a giant-killer in the Savoy battles and a continuous string of Decca 78s that featured such irresistible numbers as "T'aint What You Do (It's the Way That You Do It)" and the B-side of "Tasket," "Liza." But Webb's precarious health began to give way, and after a major operation in Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, he died (his last words reportedly were, "I'm sorry, I've got to go."). After Webb's death, Fitzgerald fronted the the band until it finally broke up in 1942.
Darktown Strutters Ball
Chick Webb Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Better be ready 'bout half past eight
I mean don't be late
Be there when the band starts playin'
Remember when you get there honey
Dance all over the floor
Dance all over my shoes
Set 'em all alight
At the darktown strutters ball
I'll be down to get you in a push cart honey
Better be ready 'bout half past eight
I mean don't be late
Be there when the band starts playin'
'Member when you get there honey
Shim sham wins them all
Dance all over my shoes
When the band plays the Jelly Roll's blues
Set 'em all alight
At the darktown strutters ball
The lyrics of Chick Webb's song "Darktown Strutters Ball" paint a vivid picture of a night of dancing and revelry in a lively, bustling city known as Darktown. The singer promises to pick up his partner in a taxi or pushcart at half past eight, urging them not to be late to the party. Once they arrive, he implores his partner to dance all over the floor, even on his shoes, as the band plays the Jelly Roll blues. The energy of the music and the dancing sets the scene alight, creating a joyful and celebratory atmosphere.
The song captures the spirit of the 1920s, a time when jazz music and dance were at the forefront of cultural expression. Darktown Strutters Ball was a popular song during this time and was frequently played by jazz musicians. It has been covered by various artists throughout the years, including the Ink Spots, Louis Armstrong, and Fats Waller. The song's historical significance is not merely in its popularity but also in what it represented. The song was one of the first songs in popular music to depict and celebrate the Black culture of America. Despite this, the conservative white radio stations at the time hesitated to air Black music, which almost kept Darktown Strutters Ball from failing to chart. Thankfully, dance halls picked up the tune, and it became hugely successful.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll be down to get you in a taxi honey
I will come to pick you up using a taxi, dear
Better be ready 'bout half past eight
You should make sure you're ready by around 8:30
I mean don't be late
Being punctual is important, so please don't be late
Be there when the band starts playin'
Make sure you arrive before the band begins to play their music
Remember when you get there honey
I want you to keep in mind, dear, that
Dance all over the floor
It's time to dance and enjoy the music extensively
Dance all over my shoes
You can even step on my shoes while dancing if you like
When the band plays the Jelly Roll blues
We should dance energetically when the band plays the Jelly Roll blues music
Set 'em all alight
Our dancing should be so fiery that sparks fly and capture others' attention
At the darktown strutters ball
We will be having this fun time at the darktown strutters ball
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Shelton Brooks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Benn
WOW
Wonderful sounds from a fantastic orchestra.
The 78 disc has been restored etc?
From a 72yo Aussie fan.
78Source
Hi John,
Glad you enjoyed it....
Yes, the original 78 has been restored; all clicks, crackle and noise have been removed but the higher frequencies remain intact allowing the original recording to sing again!
Regards,
Mark
Eugenio Scano
Hi Mark! did you use a particular software for restoring 78rpms?
SELMER B.Action
The real an unmatched King of swing
Fluffshep Network
Agreed.
Eddie Rivera
SeLMER, absolutely!
Eddie Rivera
Original king of swing!
Hilda Rios
Is it just Me? or did Anyone hear that song in Bridesmaids while Annie was watching Tyler dance?