Chris joined the "Snowflakes", a vocal group of Claude Thornhill's band, and moved on to become Stan Kenton's lead singer. She recorded for Bethlehem records originally and then began a long association with Atlantic records. Her trademark songs are well known to most people familiar with jazz of the 50s and 60s; among them are "Lullaby of Birdland" and "All about Ronnie."
More-complete bio and discography: http://www.mrlucky.com/songbirds/html/jul99/c_cconnor.html
A good obituary can be found on http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/sep/02/chris-connor-obituary
Strike Up the Band
Chris Connor Lyrics
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Let the trumpet call
While the people shout
"Strike up the band"
Hear the cymbals ring
Callin' one and all
To the martial swing
There is work to be done, to be done
Let's have fun, fun, fun
Come on you son of a son, of a gun
Take your stand
Fall in line, yea a bow
Come along, let's go
Hey, Leader, strike up the band!
There is work to be done, to be done
Let's have fun, fun, fun
Come on you son of a gun, of a gun
Take your stand
Fall in line, yea a bow
Come on, let's go
Hey, Leader, strike up
Hey, Leader, strike up
Hey, Leader, strike up the band!
The lyrics to Chris Connor’s “Strike Up The Band” inspire enthusiasm and encouragement among listeners. The song captures the excitement of marching bands and invites people to join in the celebration. The first few lines highlight the importance of musical instruments such as the drums and trumpets, which are integral to the song’s upbeat rhythm. They create a powerful sound that can be heard by everyone, encouraging them to participate in the music. The phrase “strike up the band” is repeatedly used as a call to action, conveying the importance of music and how it can bring people together.
The upbeat sound of this song is contagious, and the lyrics only add to this sense of liveliness. “There is work to be done”, fits with the insistent tone of the song and encourages people to get up and move to the music. The lyrics appeal to a sense of comradery as they call people to work and have fun together, as well as asking them to take pride in their work when “taking their stand”. The use of the term “son of a gun” in the lyrics is intended to convey a sense of excitement and boldness, encouraging listeners to be unafraid to take risks and seize opportunities. The lyrics, coupled with the energetic music, convey a message of hope and optimism, and inspire a sense of togetherness among listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
Let the drums roll out
Begin the music with a strong beat from the drums
Let the trumpet call
Accompany the drums with the clear and bright sound of the trumpet
While the people shout "Strike up the band"
As people cheer, start the band and begin playing music
Hear the cymbals ring
As the band plays, add the metallic sound of the cymbals to the mix
Callin' one and all
Calling everyone to come together and enjoy the music
To the martial swing
Set the rhythm of the music to a military-like beat
Strike up the band
Tell the band to start playing and encourage them to perform at their best
There is work to be done, to be done
Although there is work to be done, it's important to take a break and have fun sometimes
Let's have fun, fun, fun
Enjoy life to the fullest and make the most of the moment
Come on you son of a son, of a gun
An expression of encouragement to those who may be hesitant to join in the fun
Take your stand
Be confident and take your place alongside others to enjoy the music and festivities
Fall in line, yea a bow
Join the others and show respect for the music and those performing it
Come along, let's go
A call to action to start moving and dancing with the music
Hey, Leader, strike up the band!
A request to the band leader to start playing music and keep the fun going
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEORGE GERSHWIN, IRA GERSHWIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind