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.
Countdown
Count Basie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
fueron bellos momentos hasta el tierno romance
que siempre recordaré
Fue una linda experiencia la que vivimos tú y yo
pero es cierto lo que dicen
todo tiene un final
el encanto se acabó
pero mientras nos amamos
fuímos felices los dos
Ilusión fue una bella ilusion
creer que lo nuestro nunca iba a acabar
que nada ni nadie nos podría separar
pero fue distinta a la realidad(bis)
Fue un gran amor, que vivimos tú y yo
fueron bellos momentos hasta el tierno romance
que siempre recordaré
Fue una linda experiencia la que vivimos tú y yo
pero es cierto lo que dicen
todo tiene un final
La pasión se fue apagando
el encanto se acabó
pero mientras nos amamos
fuímos felices los dos
Ilusión fue una bella ilusion
creer que lo nuestro nunca iba a acabar
que nada ni nadie nos podría separar
pero fue distinta a la realidad(bis)
The lyrics of "Countdown" by Count Basie describe a love that was once great and beautiful but has now come to an end. The singer reflects on the happy moments and tender romance they shared and how they will always remember them. However, they acknowledge that it is true that all good things must come to an end, and that their passion and charm slowly faded away.
Despite the end of their love, the singer realizes that they were happy while they were together. The lyrics express a sense of nostalgia and bittersweet emotions, as they reflect on the illusion they had that their love would never end and nothing could come between them. However, the reality proved to be different, and their love came to an end.
Overall, the lyrics of "Countdown" explore the themes of love and its transient nature. While it may come to an end, the memories and experiences that were shared will always be cherished.
Line by Line Meaning
Fue un gran amor, que vivimos tú y yo
We had a great love, you and I
fueron bellos momentos hasta el tierno romance
We had beautiful moments up to the tender romance
que siempre recordaré
That I will always remember
Fue una linda experiencia la que vivimos tú y yo
It was a lovely experience that we had, you and I
pero es cierto lo que dicen
But it’s true what they say
todo tiene un final
Everything has an ending
La pasión se fue apagando
The passion faded away
el encanto se acabó
The charm was gone
pero mientras nos amamos
But while we loved each other
fuímos felices los dos
We were both happy
Ilusión fue una bella ilusion
Illusion was a beautiful illusion
creer que lo nuestro nunca iba a acabar
To believe that what we had would never end
que nada ni nadie nos podría separar
That nothing or no one could separate us
pero fue distinta a la realidad(bis)
But it was different from reality (repeat)
Writer(s): Ali Rakhshandeh, Iman Shahidi, Scott Williams
Contributed by Makayla T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.