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 Didn't Know About You
Count Basie Lyrics
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The usual laughs, not often but loud
And in the world that I knew
I didn't know about you.
Chasing after the ring on the merry-go-round
Just taking my fun where it could be found
And yet what else could I do
Darling, now I know
I had the loneliest yesterday;
Every day
In your arms I know for once in my life;
I'm living
Had a good time every time I went out
Romance was the thing I kidded about
How could I know about love
I didn't know about you.
The lyrics to Count Basie’s “I Didn’t Know About You” describe a person who used to go out and have fun with their friends, seeking out thrill and excitement on every corner. They were used to the usual laughs that came along with the group but they never really cared to explore what love had to offer. With their eyes closed, caught up in the chase for new adventures, their world was complete, or so they thought, until they met this person who changed everything. The singer reflects on the past and realizes that they had no knowledge of what real love was until they met their significant other.
They sang about living a lonely yesterday, but now they have finally found the one they can be with, who will complete them in every way, who will make them feel alive. With every day spent with them, they realize that before they met, they didn’t have the slightest idea of how it felt to know what love is. The tune carries a sense of nostalgia and realization, about how incomplete life can be without someone to share it with.
Line by Line Meaning
I went around with my own little croud
I spent most of my time with a group of people who shared my interests and who I could have fun with.
The usual laughs, not often but loud
When we got together, we didn't laugh all that often, but we were definitely loud about it when we did.
And in the world that I knew
Within my own social sphere and experiences, my understanding of the world was limited.
I didn't know about you.
I didn't know about your existence or your significance in my life at that time.
Chasing after the ring on the merry-go-round
I was living life in pursuit of material pleasures that had no lasting value.
Just taking my fun where it could be found
I was simply seeking out things that I found enjoyable, without much thought for the longer-term consequences.
And yet what else could I do
Given the limited perspective I had at the time, it's hard to imagine what other choices I could have made.
I didn't know about you.
Once again, I acknowledge that I did not know about your importance in my life.
Darling, now I know
But now, my perspective has changed and I am aware of something that previously eluded me.
I had the loneliest yesterday;
Despite the company of others, I was still unhappy and felt a certain emptiness in my life.
Every day
This was a constant feeling that affected me daily.
In your arms I know for once in my life;
Being close to you has revealed to me what it feels like to experience true happiness for the first time in my life.
I'm living
This newfound joy makes me feel truly alive.
Had a good time every time I went out
In the past, I always managed to have fun when I was out with my friends.
Romance was the thing I kidded about
I joked about the concept of romance and was somewhat dismissive of it.
How could I know about love
Without having experienced it firsthand, it was impossible for me to truly understand what love was all about.
I didn't know about you.
Once again, I acknowledge that I was ignorant of your important role in my life.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: BOB RUSSELL, DUKE ELLINGTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind