William "Count" Basie (August 21, 1904– April 26, 1984) was a jazz pianist,… Read Full Bio ↴William "Count" Basie (August 21, 1904– April 26, 1984) was a jazz pianist, organist, composer, and bandleader.

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.

And I Love Her
Count Basie Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I give her all my love
That's all I do
And if you saw my love
You'd love her to
I love her

She gives my everything
And tenderly

The kiss my lover brings
She brings to me
And I love her

A love like ours
Could never die
As long as I
Have you near me

Bright are the stars that shine
Dark is the sky
I know this love of mine
Will never die
And I love her

Bright are the stars that shine
Dark is the sky
I know this love of mine

Will never die
And I love her, ooh

Overall Meaning

Count Basie's version of the iconic Beatles song, "And I Love Her," provides a soulful and romantic interpretation of the original tune. The lyrics describe a deep and abiding love, where the singer professes to give their whole heart and everything they have to the person they love, and express a certainty that love like theirs could never die. The imagery of the bright stars and dark sky further emphasizes the depth of the singer's devotion, suggesting a kind of timeless quality to their love.

The song's opening lines, "I give her all my love / That's all I do," immediately establish the singer's singular focus on the one they love. This is further reinforced by the line, "And if you saw my love / You'd love her to," suggesting that the object of the singer's affection is so wonderful that even a stranger would understand the depth of their love. The chorus, "And I love her," serves as a simple yet powerful declaration of the singer's feelings.

The second verse shifts the focus to the person the singer loves, describing how they give "everything" and bring tender kisses. The repetition of the line, "And I love her," reinforces that these actions are the reasons behind the singer's deep feelings. The final repetition of the chorus, with its emphasis on the stars and sky, brings a sense of cosmic scale to the song, suggesting that the love between the two individuals is a force that transcends all else.

Line by Line Meaning

I give her all my love
The extent of my affections for her is immeasurable

That's all I do
My sole purpose is to give her my love

And if you saw my love
If you could witness the love I have for her

You'd love her to
You would be compelled to love her as I do

I love her
My love for her is unconditional and unwavering

She gives my everything
She provides me with everything I need in life

And tenderly
She does so with care and affection

The kiss my lover brings
Her kisses are special and meaningful to me

She brings to me
She brings me joy and happiness

And I love her
My love for her is all-encompassing

A love like ours
Our love is unique and special