William "Count" Basie (August 21, 1904– April 26, 1984) was a jazz pianist,… Read Full Bio ↴William "Count" Basie (August 21, 1904– April 26, 1984) was a jazz pianist, organist, composer, and bandleader.

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 Wanna Be Your Man
Count Basie Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I want to be your lover baby,
I want to be your man,
I want to be your lover baby,
I want to be your man.
Love you like no other baby,
Like no other can,
Love you like no other baby,
Like no other can.

I want to be your man, I want to be your man,
I want to be your man, I want to be your man.

Tell me that you love me baby,
Let me understand,
Tell me that you love me baby,
I want to be your man.
I want to be your lover baby,
I want to be your man,
I want to be your lover baby,
I want to be your man.

I want to be your man, I want to be your man,
I want to be your man, I want to be your man.

I want to be your lover baby,
I want to be your man,
I want to be your lover baby,
I want to be your man.
Love you like no other baby,
Like no other can,
Love you like no other baby,
Like no other can.

I want to be your man, I want to be your man,

I want to be your man, I want to be your man.
I want to be your man, I want to be your man.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Count Basie's "I Wanna Be Your Man" are a declaration of love from the singer to their desired lover. The repeated refrain of "I want to be your man" emphasizes the singer's desire to be with this person and to love them deeply. The singer also asserts that they will love their desired partner like no one else can.

The plea "tell me that you love me baby, let me understand" suggests a level of uncertainty or insecurity on the singer's part. They are seeking reassurance from their love interest that their feelings are reciprocated. Ultimately, though, the singer's love is strong enough that they are willing to put themselves out there and express their desire to be with this person.

Overall, "I Wanna Be Your Man" is a simple but powerful love song that captures the intensity and longing of a new romantic connection.

Line by Line Meaning

I want to be your lover baby,
I desire to be your romantic partner, my dear,

I want to be your man,
I yearn to be the special person in your life,

Love you like no other baby,
I will love you unlike anyone else, my dear,

I want to be your man.
I desire to be the one who loves you and makes you happy,

Tell me that you love me baby,
Please inform me that you have affection for me, my dear,

Let me understand,
Allow me to comprehend your feelings, my love,

I want to be your lover baby,
I desire to be the romantic partner who shares your love,

I want to be your man,
I wish to be your significant other and partner,

I want to be your man.
It is my deepest desire to be the one you love and cherish,

Love you like no other baby,
My love for you will be intense and matchless,