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.
My Baby Just Cares For Me
Count Basie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My baby don't care for clothes
My baby just cares for me
My baby don't care for furs and laces
My baby don't care for high-toned places
My baby don't care for rings or other expensive things
She's sensible as can be
My baby just cares for me
My baby's no Crosby fan
Dick Tracy is not her man
My baby just cares for me
My baby don't care for Mr. Tibbits
She'd rather have me around to kibbitz
Roy Rogers is not her style
And even Clark Gable's smile
Is something that she can't see
(Oh, you lucky so-and-so)
I wonder what's wrong with baby
My baby just cares for me
Count Basie's song "My Baby Just Cares For Me" is a jazzy tune that celebrates the simple, yet profound love a man has for his significant other. The lyrics indicate that the subject of the song does not pay attention to material things, such as clothes, shows, or expensive trinkets, rather, she has a deeper and more meaningful connection with the singer. The phrase "my baby just cares for me" is repeated throughout the song, underscoring the central theme that the person you love is enough to make your life fulfilled. The singer extols the qualities of his significant other, calling her "sensible as can be" and happy to have him around.
But the singer is also puzzled by his lover's lack of interest in people and things that seem to capture the attention of others, such as "Mr. Tibbets" or "Roy Rogers." He wonders aloud "what's wrong with baby," as he is impressed, but also perplexed by her lack of interest in these things that society seems to value. Ultimately, though, the singer is content knowing that his lover only has eyes for him, and that their bond is stronger than anything that can be bought or sold.
Line by Line Meaning
My baby don't care for shows
My significant other is not interested in attending performances or spectacles.
My baby don't care for clothes
The materialistic nature of fashion does not impress or appeal to my partner.
My baby just cares for me
The only important thing to my loved one is our relationship and connection.
My baby don't care for furs and laces
My partner does not find value in ostentatious or extravagant clothing items like fur or lace.
My baby don't care for high-toned places
My significant other is not interested in going to fancy or upscale settings.
My baby don't care for rings or other expensive things
My partner does not hold material possessions like jewelry or other costly items in high regard.
She's sensible as can be
My loved one is remarkably practical and down-to-earth.
My baby don't care who knows it
My partner is not concerned with what others think of our relationship or her priorities.
My baby just cares for me
Our connection and affection for one another are the most important things in our relationship.
My baby's no Crosby fan
My significant other is not a fan of Bing Crosby's music.
Dick Tracy is not her man
My loved one is not interested in the iconic comic strip character Dick Tracy.
My baby just cares for me
Our love for each other is the most important thing in our lives.
My baby don't care for Mr. Tibbits
My partner does not find interest or worth in Mr. Tibbits, a hypothetical character.
She'd rather have me around to kibbitz
My loved one would rather spend time with me and engage in idle chatter.
Roy Rogers is not her style
The western film star Roy Rogers does not appeal to my significant other.
And even Clark Gable's smile
Even the charm and charisma of classic Hollywood icon Clark Gable does not catch my loved one's attention.
Is something that she can't see
Even the most celebrated things in society do not matter to my partner.
(Oh, you lucky so-and-so)
The singer envies the singer's blissful relationship with his partner.
I wonder what's wrong with baby
The singer humorously questions what could be wrong with his partner's flawless perspective on love.
My baby just cares for me
Our deep and meaningful connection is my partner's sole focus in life.
Lyrics © DONALDSON PUBLISHING CO, TOBAGO MUSIC COMPANY, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gus Kahn, Walter Donaldson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind