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.
5 O'Clock in the Morning
Count Basie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And there is no one on the street but me
Well, it's five o'clock in the morning
And there is no one on the street but me
And I am evil, tired and lonely
And you're not where you ought to be
I'd be so happy, baby
This morning, I'd be so happy, baby
If you were where you ought to be
This morning, my whole world is empty, darling
Because you're not here with me
Don't think that I don't love you
Cause I don't write you everyday
Don't feel that I don't need you
Because I haven't much to say
I love you and I need you
So bad that I could cry this morning
Until you are here with me, baby
Well, there's no way in the world for me to be satisfied
The song "Five O'Clock in the Morning" is a soulful ballad about feeling lonely and missing someone special. The lyrics describe a deserted street in the early hours of the morning, with only the singer and their feelings of desperation and emptiness. The singer confesses that they are feeling "evil, tired, and lonely," and they desperately wish that the person they are missing was there with them. The lyrics convey the intensity of the singer's emotions, as they try to express just how much they need the other person, even though they don't always say it or show it.
The singer also tries to reassure the absent person that their absence doesn't change how much they love and need them. They don't write every day or have much to say, but that doesn't mean they don't care. Despite this, the singer's longing and sadness are palpable, and they feel as if their world is empty without their loved one. The chorus repeats the refrain that everything would be better if the other person were there, and that until they are, the singer cannot be satisfied.
Overall, "Five O'Clock in the Morning" is a poignant depiction of the loneliness and yearning that can come with missing someone. It's a song that many people can relate to, even if they haven't experienced the exact same situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Five o'clock in the morning
It's early in the morning, the time when most people are still asleep.
And there is no one on the street but me
The streets are deserted, and there's no one else around except the singer.
Well, it's five o'clock in the morning
The singer is emphasizing the early hour and how unusual it is for anyone to be awake at this time.
And there is no one on the street but me
The emptiness of the streets is emphasized again. It's a lonely and eerie feeling.
And I am evil, tired and lonely
The singer is feeling a range of negative emotions: weariness, loneliness, and even wickedness - perhaps from spending too much time alone.
And you're not where you ought to be
The singer is missing someone who should be with them, but isn't. It's unclear who this person is - a lover, a friend, or someone else altogether.
I'd be so happy, baby
The singer is addressing the absent person, saying that they would be happy if that person were here.
If you are where you ought to be
The condition for the singer's happiness is simple: the person they are missing needs to be where they're supposed to be.
This morning, I'd be so happy, baby
The singer repeats their desire to be with the other person and how happy that would make them feel, even in the early morning hours.
If you were where you ought to be
Again, the singer emphasizes that their happiness depends on the other person being in the right place.
This morning, my whole world is empty, darling
Without the other person, the singer's world is a desolate, lonely place. They are desperate for the person to return.
Because you're not here with me
The singer reminds us that their sadness and loneliness stem from the absence of the other person.
Don't think that I don't love you
The singer addresses the absent person directly, assuring them that they are loved.
Cause I don't write you everyday
Just because the singer doesn't communicate with the other person every day doesn't mean they don't care about them.
Don't feel that I don't need you
The singer expresses their emotional dependence on the other person, emphasizing how much they are missed.
Because I haven't much to say
The singer doesn't have much to say, but this doesn't mean that they don't value the other person's company.
I love you and I need you
The singer reiterates how much they care for the other person and how much they long for their presence.
So bad that I could cry this morning
The emotional weight of the singer's feelings is emphasized through the imagery of crying.
Until you are here with me, baby
The singer emphasizes their longing for the other person to be with them, using a term of endearment to address them.
Well, there's no way in the world for me to be satisfied
The singer concludes the song by emphasizing that without the other person, they cannot be truly happy.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOE LEE WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@robertfine2049
Joe thrills this old man now as much as he did when I saw him live at Newport in the mid-fifties.
@susanb8222
This is the Man! No one better than Joe Williams. Great inprov, tone, tempo, expression. One of the greats!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
@CapnBlood
Great song, great vocalist, great big band!
@gregnunn4196
One of the most phenomenal, gifted, incredible blues singers ever to walk this planet! Perfect accompaniment for The Great Count Basie!
@gypzs9
well said!
@gypzs9
Now...Joe is exactly where he ought to be with this stellar piece.
@goldengirl478
Second to none!!!
@jacquelinewhiteley9437
I LOVE Joe Williams.
@claudiasiefer8495
really?
@loujeskey9936
Joe Williams gotta helluva voice