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 Getting Sentimental Over You
Count Basie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But now I hear love call,
I'm getting sentimental over you
Things you say and do,
Just thrill me through and through,
I'm getting sentimental over you.
I could live without love
Now I must admit,
Love is all I'm thinking of
Won't you please be kind,
And just make up your mind
That you'll be sweet & gentle,
Be gentle with me
Because I'm sentimental over you
The lyrics to Count Basie's "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You" tells the story of a man who never thought that he would fall in love, but now he has and he is becoming sentimental. The love he is feeling is overwhelming, and he is now realizing that love is everything he needs in life. The lyrics reveal that the person he is singing to, perhaps a lover or potential lover, is the one who sparks these emotions in him. He is impressed by the things she says and does, and it thrills him to the core.
The love he feels now is in stark contrast to the way he thought previously. He never believed he needed love to be happy, but now he admits that love is all he thinks of. He pleads with the person he is singing to be sweet and gentle, knowing that they hold the power to hurt him, and he hopes that they will just make up their mind and decide to be close to him. The lyrics capture the essence of passion and love, and the vulnerability that comes with opening up one's heart to another person.
Line by Line Meaning
Never thought I'd fall,
I never expected that I would fall in love with someone.
But now I hear love call,
I have finally fallen in love, and it feels like love is calling out to me.
I'm getting sentimental over you
I'm becoming emotional and nostalgic because of my love for you.
Things you say and do,
The things you say and do are having a profound impact on me.
Just thrill me through and through,
They are making me feel thrilled and excited from the inside out.
I'm getting sentimental over you.
I'm becoming emotional and nostalgic because of my love for you.
I thought I was happy,
I thought I was content with my life without being in love.
I could live without love
I believed that I could go on with my life without the need for love.
Now I must admit,
But now I have to accept the truth -
Love is all I'm thinking of
Love is now the only thing occupying my thoughts.
Won't you please be kind,
Could you please show me some kindness
And just make up your mind
And make a firm decision
That you'll be sweet & gentle,
That you'll show me affection and tenderness,
Be gentle with me
Because I am sensitive and emotional due to my love for you.
Because I'm sentimental over you
I'm becoming emotional and nostalgic because of my love for you.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Integrity Music, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Bassman, Ned Washington
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind