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.

Hallelujah I Love Her So
Count Basie Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Let me tell you 'bout a girl I know
She is my baby and she lives next door
Every mornin' 'fore the sun comes up
She brings me coffee in my favorite cup
That's why I know, yes, I know
Hallelujah, I just love her so

When I'm in trouble and I have no friend

I know she'll go with me until the end
Everybody asks me how I know
I smile at them and say, "She told me so"
That's why I know, oh, I know
Hallelujah, I just love her so

Now, if I call her on the telephone
And tell her that I'm all alone
By the time I count from one to four
I hear her (knock, knock, knock, knock) on my door

In the evening when the sun goes down
When there is nobody else around
She kisses me and she holds me tight
And tells me, "Daddy, everything's all right"
That's why I know, yes, I know
Hallelujah, I just love her so

Now, if I call her on the telephone
And tell her that I'm all alone
By the time I count from one to four
I hear her (knock, knock, knock, knock) on my door

In the evening when the sun goes down
When there is nobody else around
She kisses me and she holds me tight
And tells me, "Daddy, everything's all right"
That's why I know, yes, I know
Hallelujah, I just love her so
Oh, hallelujah
Don't you know, I just love her so?

She's my little woman, waitin' all this time
Babe, I'm a little fool for you, little girl

Overall Meaning

In Count Basie's song "Hallelujah I Love Her So," the singer describes his love for a girl who lives next door. He begins by noting how she brings him coffee in his favorite cup every morning before the sun rises, showcasing his affection for the small, everyday gestures of their relationship. The singer also notes that she is a loyal friend who will stick by him through thick and thin, and he smiles when asked how he knows this, saying that she's told him herself. The love and trust in their relationship is strong and undeniable, as shown through her willingness to come running to him whenever he needs her.

Later in the song, the singer describes how she kisses him and holds him tight and reassures him when things get tough, saying "everything's all right." This demonstrates the deep emotional connection that they share and the comfort they provide each other through the ups and downs of life.

Line by Line Meaning

Let me tell you 'bout a girl I know
I want to tell you about my love interest

She is my baby and she lives next door
She is my significant other and we live near each other

Every mornin' 'fore the sun comes up
Every morning before the sun rises

She brings me coffee in my favorite cup
She brings me coffee in my preferred mug

That's why I know, yes, I know
That is why I am confident

Hallelujah, I just love her so
I love her so much

When I'm in trouble and I have no friend
When I am in a difficult situation and have no one to turn to

I know she'll go with me until the end
I know she will stand by my side until the end

Everybody asks me how I know
People often ask me how I am so certain

I smile at them and say, 'She told me so'
I smile and tell them that she reassured me

Now, if I call her on the telephone
If I call her on the phone