As a pianist, he had a distinctive and influential style (the song title "Splanky" is an onomatopoetic reference to the sound of his playing), equally at home in the barrelhouse and the concert hall. Willie "The Lion" Smith, James P. Johnson, and Fats Waller were among his influences.
As a bandleader, he created an organization (built upon the remains of Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra) that was a favorite both of dancers and of vocalists such as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and, of course, Billie Holiday. Equally important, it kept many musicians employed through lean years. Many jazz musicians of note built their chops and earned their bread and butter in Basie's organization.
In addition to Basie, the swinging "All American Rhythm Section" of his orchestra included greats such as Walter Page (bass), Jo Jones (drums), and Freddie Green (guitar). It was the greatest, most swinging rhythm sections in the history of jazz. Chief among its vocalists were, first, Jimmy Rushing and, later, Joe Williams. Over the years it boasted sidemen and soloists like Herschel Evans (tenor sax), Lester Young (tenor sax), Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis (tenor sax), Buddy Tate (tenor sax), Illinois Jacquet (tenor sax), Earle Warren (alto sax), Jack Washington (alto & baritone sax), Harry "Sweets" Edison (trumpet), Buck Clayton (trumpet), Thad Jones (trumpet), Snooky Young (trumpet), Benny Morton (trombone), Benny Powell (trombone), and Dicky Wells (trombone).
Basie also collaborated with artists such as Zoot Sims and Oscar Peterson, and recorded with ensembles large and small, including the Count Basie Trio, the Count Basie Sextet, and the Kansas City Seven. Notable arrangers included Eddie Durham (who helped shape the Basie Orchestra's sound) and Neal Hefti.
Solitude
Count Basie Lyrics
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You haunt me
With dreadful ease
Of days gone by
In my solitude
You taunt me
With memories
I sit in my chair
And filled with despair
There's no one could be so sad
With gloom everywhere
I sit and I stare
I know that I'll soon go mad
In my solitude
I'm afraid
Dear Lord above
Send back my love
I sit in my chair
Filled with despair
There's no one, no one
No onecould be so sad
With gloom everywhere
I sit and I stare
I know that I'll soon go mad
In my solitude
I'm afraid
Dear Lord above
Send back my love
The song "Solitude" by Count Basie is a melancholic piece that deals with themes of loneliness and heartbreak. The singer of the song is haunted by memories of a lost love, and in his solitude, he is unable to escape the painful reminders of their past. The use of the word "haunt" in the opening lines creates a sense of unease and despair, setting the tone for the rest of the song. The lyrics also suggest that the memories of this lost love are so vivid that they feel like they could come back to life at any moment, "taunting" the singer and preventing him from moving on.
The second paragraph paints a picture of the physical and emotional state of the singer. He is sitting alone in his chair, filled with despair and feeling as though he is going mad. The repetition of the phrase "no one could be so sad" reinforces the idea that the singer is completely consumed by his grief and cannot see a way out of his solitude. Ultimately, he turns to a higher power for help, pleading with the "Dear Lord above" to bring his love back to him.
Line by Line Meaning
In my solitude
During my lonely moments
You haunt me
You keep appearing in my thoughts
With dreadful ease
Effortlessly, causing me great distress
Of days gone by
From times in the past that no longer exist
You taunt me
You tease me with something that I cannot have
With memories
Recollections of past events
That never die
That continue to exist and cause me pain
I sit in my chair
I remain seated in a position of sadness
And filled with despair
Overwhelmed with hopelessness
There's no one could be so sad
No one else could feel as despondent as I do
With gloom everywhere
Surrounded by darkness and sadness
I sit and I stare
I gaze blankly without purpose or direction
I know that I'll soon go mad
I am aware that my depression is affecting my mental health
In my solitude
During my lonely moments
I'm afraid
I am scared
Dear Lord above
A plea to God
Send back my love
Bring back the person who I have lost
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON, EDDIE LANGE DE, IRVING MILLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind