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.
Oh Lady Be Good
Count Basie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's terribly sad but true,
All dressed up, no place to go
Each evening I'm awfully blue.
I must win some handsome guy
Can't go on like this,
I could blossom out I know,
Oh, sweet and lovely lady, be good
Oh, lady, be good to me
I am so awfully misunderstood
So lady, be good to me
Oh, please have some pity
I'm all-alone in this big city
I tell you I'm just a lonesome babe in the wood,
So lady be good to me.
Oh, please have some pity
I'm all alone in this big city
I tell you I'm just a lonesome babe in the wood,
So lady be good to me.
Oh lady be good to me.
The lyrics to Count Basie's song "Oh Lady Be Good" depict the sad and lonely life of the singer who is dressed up every evening but has nowhere to go, and is constantly feeling blue. The singer longs for the attention of a handsome guy and believes that he could blossom with someone like him. The lyrics are essentially a plea to a lady to be good to him, to show him some pity, given that he is misunderstood and lonely in the big city.
The song was written by George and Ira Gershwin in 1924 and was first performed by Walter Catlett in the Broadway musical "Lady, Be Good!". The song became popularized when it was recorded by a number of music greats including Ella Fitzgerald, who is notably known for her interpretation of the song. In this song, Fitzgerald is able to capture the emotion, vulnerability, and hope that the lyrics convey.
In addition, "Oh Lady be Good" was featured in several films including "The Big Broadcast of 1936" and "Swing Time". The song was also used in the soundtrack of "Zelig" in 1983.
Line by Line Meaning
Listen to my tale of woe,
Please pay attention to my sad story
It's terribly sad but true,
It saddens me to say that it is all true
All dressed up, no place to go
Even though I am beautifully dressed, I still have nowhere to go
Each evening I'm awfully blue.
Every night, I am consumed with sadness
I must win some handsome guy
I need to find a handsome man to make me happy
Can't go on like this,
I cannot continue to feel like this for much longer
I could blossom out I know,
I feel like I could become a better person if given the chance
With somebody just like you. So
And I believe that person is someone like you. So,
Oh, sweet and lovely lady, be good
Please, kind and beautiful lady, treat me well
Oh, lady, be good to me
Be good to me, fair lady
I am so awfully misunderstood
No one really understands me
So lady, be good to me
So please, be kind to me
Oh, please have some pity
Please show me some compassion
I'm all alone in this big city
I am completely alone in this large city
I tell you I'm just a lonesome babe in the wood,
I am simply a lonely person in need of companionship
So lady be good to me.
So please, be good to me, kind lady
Oh lady be good to me.
Please be good to me, my lady.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEORGE GERSHWIN, IRA GERSHWIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rolf Wilkinson
I swear this is a really unique Lester solo. It's almost as though he's reacting to Chu Berry...
JJ All
Long live Chu Berry!!! ❤️
Rolf Wilkinson
Chu Berry has some really sweet lines...
Taxi War Dance
lester is hilarious in this. genius! tho i prefer their jones-smith inc recording but this is nice too
Sary Chan
I dont know so much about Jazz but this is awsome!
jibsmokestack1
Chu Berry and Lester Young together!
David Mehnert
Time wounds all heels!
Chuckiew48
Found this on my act
Malikaa Marathe
same ahaha. here from the reading passage
William Rolle III
@Malikaa Marathe same