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.
Lullaby of Birdland
Count Basie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Always hear when you sigh
Never in my wordland
Could there be ways to reveal
In a phrase how I feel
Have you ever heard two turtle doves
Bill and coo when they love?
Music we make with our lips when we kiss
And there's a weepy old willow
He really knows how to cry
That's how I'd cry in my pillow
If you should tell me farewell and goodbye
Lullaby of Birdland whisper low
Kiss me sweet and we'll go
Flyin' high in Birdland
High in the sky up above
All because we're in love
In Count Basie's song "Lullaby of Birdland," the singer describes the overwhelming feeling of love using various metaphors. He compares the sound of his lover's sigh to a lullaby, which to him, is the sweetest sound he has ever heard. He says that he cannot find the right words to express how deep his love is. He uses the simile of two turtle doves making sweet music with their coos to describe how intimate their kisses are. The song goes on to describe how he would feel if his lover left him, comparing his sorrow to that of a weeping willow tree.
In summary, the song is a love letter in the form of a lullaby expressing the depth of the singer's affection to his lover. The use of metaphors and similes adds to the romantic feel of the song, and it is highlighted by the smooth jazz instrumentation of Count Basie's band.
Line by Line Meaning
Lullaby of Birdland, that's what I
The song Lullaby of Birdland reminds me of you.
Always hear when you sigh
Whenever you sigh, I can't help but think of the Lullaby of Birdland song.
Never in my wordland
I can't find the right word to describe how much I care for you.
Could there be ways to reveal
I wish there was a way to express my feelings for you.
In a phrase how I feel
I want to say I love you, but words just can't describe it.
Have you ever heard two turtle doves
You know, like the way two animals express their love for each other, that's how I feel about you.
Bill and coo when they love?
With the way we express our love for each other, it's like the love-struck sounds of Bill and cooing turtles.
That's the kind of magic
The sounds we make when we kiss each other is the same magic that animals create when they express their love for each other.
Music we make with our lips when we kiss
The sounds we make when we kiss is just like music that fills my heart with joy.
And there's a weepy old willow
There's a tree, a willow that looks sad, almost as sad as I would feel if you ever left me.
He really knows how to cry
The weeping willow, it's like it knows how to feel my sadness and it empathizes with me.
That's how I'd cry in my pillow
If you ever said farewell and goodbye, I'm sure I'd cry just like how the weeping willow looks.
If you should tell me farewell and goodbye
The mere thought of you leaving me brings me to tears.
Lullaby of Birdland whisper low
Sing me a lullaby, whispering softly to me just like the Lullaby of Birdland song.
Kiss me sweet and we'll go
Kiss me softly, and let's fly together like birds.
Flyin' high in Birdland
Let's fly high, almost as high as the birds in heaven.
High in the sky up above
We'll soar so high, it's like we're in the heavens above.
All because we're in love
The reason for our joy and being able to fly high is due to our love for each other.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore
Written by: George Shearing, George David Weiss
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@boidoh
The most swingin' version of this tune out there!
@giovannirivoira5496
Just one word:Swing at its purest meaning.Basie was unique!!thank you for uploaded it!!
@francoisepoumirau9165
Rythme and melody. My dream
@fstptkingmyname9996
This song slaps
@sambrinson6153
This is what the music critics meant when they said " this is "jazz" at its "swinging" best back then.
Peerless stuff, even now.
@WPM_in_ATL
What album? What location? Sounds a lot like the album recorded at Count Basie's night club in Harlem 😊
@oldhippo2158
Best of what came out of Kansas City besides Bird of course. Funny America is so ignorant towards the only truly American art form. Well there are cartoons too.
@vito_keys4897
The intro sounds familiar, like a certain Disney song
@boidoh
Friend Like Me?
@raqueltejeromartinez1216
Aladdin