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 Got It Bad And That Ain'T Good
Count Basie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me to save my tears
Well I'm so mad about him
I can't live without him
Never treats me sweet and gentle
The way he should
I've got it bad
My poor heart is so sentimental
Not made of wood
I've got it so bad
And that ain't good
But when the fish are jumpin'
And Friday rolls around
My man an' I, we gin some
We pray some, and sin some
He don't love me like I love him
The way he should
I've got it bad
And that ain't good
Yes I've got it bad
And that ain't good
The lyrics to the Count Basie song "I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good" tell the story of a person who is deeply in love with someone who is not treating them well. Although people around them may suggest that they should stop wasting their emotions on this person, the singer cannot help but feel deeply attached and connected to their lover. Despite the fact that their lover treats them poorly and does not show them the respect and care that they deserve, they cannot bring themselves to give up on the relationship. They describe their heart as being "so sentimental" and not "made of wood," meaning that they are vulnerable and emotionally invested in this person.
The singer of the song also reflects on their relationship with their lover in more detail, revealing that the two of them have a complex and tumultuous dynamic. They describe "ginning" and "praying" together, but also "sinning" together, suggesting that their relationship is based on both highs and lows. They acknowledge that their lover does not love them in the same way that they love their lover, but they cannot help the way that they feel. The final line of the song restates the title, emphasizing the fact that the singer's love for their lover is consuming and intense, even though it is not reciprocated in the way that it should be.
Overall, "I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good" is a poignant and beautiful song that conveys both the joys and sorrows of falling deeply in love with someone who may not be good for you. The lyrics are simple yet expressive, with a melody that captures the wistful and melancholy mood of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Though folks with good intentions Tell me to save my tears
People are trying to console me and ask me to hold back tears
Well I'm so mad about him I can't live without him
I'm totally in love with him and cannot imagine a life without him
Never treats me sweet and gentle The way he should
He does not treat me with the love and respect I deserve
I've got it bad And that ain't good
I am deeply in love with him, but it's not good for me since he does not reciprocate
My poor heart is so sentimental Not made of wood
My heart is very sensitive and cannot withstand the hurt and disappointment
I've got it so bad And that ain't good
I'm deeply in love and totally consumed by it, which is not good for me
But when the fish are jumpin' And Friday rolls around My man an' I, we gin some We pray some, and sin some
When the good times roll, we get together and spend time doing all sorts of things, good or bad
He don't love me like I love him The way he should
He doesn't feel the same way about me despite my love for him, which hurts me deeply
I've got it bad And that ain't good
I still love him deeply despite his lack of interest, and it is not healthy for me
Yes I've got it bad And that ain't good
I am in deep trouble because of my love for him, and it is not good for me
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Duke Ellington, Paul Francis Webster
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind