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.
If I Were A Bell
Count Basie Lyrics
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Ask me now that we're cosy and clingin'
Well, sir, all I can say
Is if I were a bell, I'd be ringin'
From the moment we kissed tonight
That's the way I've just gotta behave
Boy, if I were a lamp, I'd light
Or if I were a banner, I'd wave
Ask me how do I feel
Little me with my quiet upbringing
Well, sir, all I can say
Is if I were a gate, I'd be swinging
And if I were a watch
I'd start popping my springs
Or if I were a bell
I'd go ding dong, ding dong ding
Yes, I knew my morale would crack
From the wonderful way that you looked
Boy, if I were a duck, I'd quack
Or if I were a goose, I'd be cooked
Ask me how do I feel
Ask me now that we're fondly caressing
Well, if I were a salad
I know I'd be splashing my dressing
Or if I were a season, I'd surely be spring
Or if I were a gate, I would swing
Have a fling almost any old thing
Or if I were a bell
I'd go ding dong, ding dong
Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong, ding, ding dong
Count Basie's "If I Were A Bell" is a song about being in love and the feeling of joy that comes with it. The lyrics are a playful expression of how the singer feels in the moment, describing how everything would be different if they were various objects or creatures. The repeated refrain of "if I were a bell, I'd be ringing" serves as a metaphor for the singer's emotional state - they are so overwhelmed with happiness that they feel like they are overflowing with energy and could burst into song at any moment.
The first verse describes how the singer feels after a kiss - they feel alive and full of energy, as if they could light up the world if they were a lamp or a banner. In the second verse, the singer reflects on their upbringing and how reserved they used to be, but now they feel like if they were a gate, they would be swinging open to welcome the world. The third verse continues the playful mood, with the singer imagining what it would be like to be a duck, quacking with joy, or a salad, splashing their dressing with enthusiasm. The final lines of the song repeat the refrain of "if I were a bell," bringing the song full circle and reinforcing the feeling of joy and excitement.
Line by Line Meaning
Ask me how do I feel
Inquire about my current emotional state
Ask me now that we're cosy and clingin'
Inquire again now that we are comfortable and physically close
Well, sir, all I can say
In response to your inquiry, this is all that I can offer
Is if I were a bell, I'd be ringin'
Expressing my excitement or happiness with a playful analogy
From the moment we kissed tonight
Starting from the point when we shared a kiss earlier
That's the way I've just gotta behave
This is just how I feel and I cannot change it
Boy, if I were a lamp, I'd light
I am filled with energy and enthusiasm
Or if I were a banner, I'd wave
I am feeling celebratory and might express it publicly
Little me with my quiet upbringing
An acknowledgment of my modest background and personality
Is if I were a gate, I'd be swinging
I am feeling playful and carefree
And if I were a watch
Continuing the playful analogies
I'd start popping my springs
I am feeling very excited or exuberant
Or if I were a bell
Another reference to the earlier playful analogy
I'd go ding dong, ding dong ding
I am feeling so excited that I can hardly contain it
Yes, I knew my morale would crack
Admitting that I expected my emotional state to be affected
From the wonderful way that you looked
The cause of my emotional response
Boy, if I were a duck, I'd quack
Continuing the lighthearted analogies, expressing my delight
Or if I were a goose, I'd be cooked
Playing off of the previous line, feeling somewhat silly
Ask me how do I feel
Repeating the earlier request for information
Ask me now that we're fondly caressing
Asking again now that we are sharing more physical affection
Well, if I were a salad
Another playful analogy
I know I'd be splashing my dressing
I am feeling vibrant and colorful
Or if I were a season, I'd surely be spring
Feeling reborn and full of life, as in springtime
Or if I were a gate, I would swing
Repeating a previous analogy
Have a fling almost any old thing
Feeling adventurous or spontaneous
Or if I were a bell
Repeating yet another playful analogy
I'd go ding dong, ding dong
Still very excited and energized
Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong, ding, ding dong
A playful end to the song, repeating the earlier enthusiastic phrase
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARY C BROCKERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind