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.
I'm Confessin'
Count Basie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me, do you love me too?
I'm confessin' that I need you,
Honest I do, need you every moment.
In your eyes I read such strange things,
But your lips deny they're true,
Will your answer really change things
Making me blue?
I'm afraid some day you'll leave me,
Saying "can't we still be friends"
If you go, you know you'll grieve me,
All in life on you depends.
Am I guessin' that you love me,
Dreaming dreams of you in vain,
I'm confessin' that I love you, over again.
In Count Basie's classic 1930s hit "I'm Confessin'," the singer is expressing their love and need for someone else while also questioning whether the feeling is reciprocated. The chorus of the song features the singer confessing their love and need for the other person, stating that they depend on them for everything in life. The lyrics are heartfelt and vulnerable, showcasing the singer's anxiety about their relationship and the possibility of being left alone.
In the verses, the singer discusses their confusion about the other person's feelings through poignant, yet simple imagery. They read "strange things" in their eyes, but are told otherwise by their lips. This contradiction is the source of the singer's worry and fear of being left alone, as they feel like they cannot trust what the other person is saying. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and desperation for validation, as the singer asks if their love is reciprocated and if they are just "dreaming dreams of you in vain."
Overall, "I'm Confessin'" is a poignant and timeless expression of love, vulnerability, and fear of rejection.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm confessin' that I love you,
I am openly admitting that I have feelings of love for you.
Tell me, do you love me too?
I am asking if you reciprocate my feelings of love for you.
I'm confessin' that I need you,
I am admitting that I cannot live without you and I need you in my life.
Honest I do, need you every moment.
I mean what I say and I need you every instance of time.
In your eyes I read such strange things,
I see conflicting emotions in your eyes.
But your lips deny they're true,
You say the opposite of what I see in your eyes.
Will your answer really change things
I wonder if your reply will alter the current situation.
Making me blue?
Would the outcome of your reply make me feel sad?
I'm afraid some day you'll leave me,
I'm scared that someday you might abandon me.
Saying "can't we still be friends"
Assuming you leave, would you still like to maintain a friendship?
If you go, you know you'll grieve me,
If you happen to leave, you will cause me immense sorrow.
All in life on you depends.
The happiness of my life depends completely on you.
Am I guessin' that you love me,
I am uncertain if you truly love me.
Dreaming dreams of you in vain,
I have been dreaming of you, but it feels like it is futile.
I'm confessin' that I love you, over again.
I am confessing my love for you repeatedly.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Al J Neiburg, Doc Daugherty, Ellis Reynolds
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind