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 Rhythm
Count Basie Lyrics
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Don't need what money can buy
Birds in the trees sing their dayful of songs
Why shouldn't we sing along?
I'm chipper all the day
Happy with my life
How do I get that way?
Look at what I've got:
I got rhythm, I got music, I got my man
Who could ask for anything more?
I've got daisies in green pastures
I've got my man
Who could ask for anything more?
Old man trouble I don't mind him
You won't find him 'round my door
I've got starlight
I've got sweet dreams
I've got my man
Who could ask for anything more?
Old man trouble, I don't mind him
You won't find him 'round my door
I've got starlight
I've got sweet dreams
I've got my man
Who could ask for anything more?
Oh, I've got rhythm
I've got music
I've got daisies in green pastures
I've got starlight
I've got sweet dreams
I've got my man
Who could ask for anything more?
I've got rhythm, I've got rhythm
Count Basie’s song “I Got Rhythm” is an upbeat, cheerful tune that celebrates a life filled with simple pleasures. The song begins by describing how days can be filled with sunshine and birds singing their songs, and how humans can be just as happy by singing along. The singer then describes how they are happy with their life, and proceeds to demonstrate the reasons for their happiness. The singer has rhythm, music, and their man; they don't need anything more. The song continues to describe how the singer has daisies in green pastures, starlight, and sweet dreams, as well as the fact that they don't mind old man trouble, since he never knocks on their door. In the end, the singer repeats the chorus, emphasizing how they have rhythm, music, daisies, starlight, sweet dreams, and their man.
Overall, the song is one that celebrates the simple things in life, and how they can bring immense joy to an individual. It's a reminder that we don't need to have everything to be happy, as long as we have the things that matter most to us. The song has become a classic that has been covered by numerous artists and has become a staple in jazz music.
Line by Line Meaning
Days can be sunny with never a sigh
Even though life can be tough at times, I can still be happy.
Don't need what money can buy
Material things don't bring me happiness.
Birds in the trees sing their dayful of songs
Nature is always happy, so why shouldn't we be?
Why shouldn't we sing along?
We should enjoy life and sing along with nature.
I'm chipper all the day
I am cheerful and happy all day long.
Happy with my life
I am content with my life and what I have.
How do I get that way?
People wonder how I can be so happy.
Look at what I've got:
The reason why I am happy is because of what I have.
I got rhythm, I got music, I got my man
I have the rhythm of music in my soul and the love of my man in my heart.
Who could ask for anything more?
What more do I need or could I ask for when I have all of that?
I've got daisies in green pastures
I have beauty and peace in my life.
Old man trouble I don't mind him
I am strong and can handle any challenges life throws at me.
You won't find him 'round my door
I can overcome challenges and they won't affect my home and loved ones.
I've got starlight
Even at night, I have beauty and brightness in my life.
I've got sweet dreams
I have hope and positive thoughts for my future.
Oh, I've got rhythm
I have happiness and energy in my life.
I've got music
I have the ability to enjoy and appreciate all kinds of music.
I've got daisies in green pastures
I have beauty and peace in my life.
I've got starlight
Even at night, I have beauty and brightness in my life.
I've got sweet dreams
I have hope and positive thoughts for my future.
I've got my man
And above everything else, I have the love of my man in my life.
Who could ask for anything more?
With everything I have in my life, what more could I possibly need?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind