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.
One More Samba
Count Basie Lyrics
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Each time you're near me the thrill is new
And there is nothing that I wouldn't do for
The rare delight of the sight of you for
The more I see you, the more I want you
Somehow this feeling just grows and grows
With every sigh I become more mad about you
Can you imagine how much I love you?
The more I see you as years go by
I know the only one for me can only be you
My arms won't free you, my heart won't try
I know the only one for me can only be you
My arms won't free you, my heart won't try
The lyrics of Count Basie's song One More Samba are a beautiful love letter from one person to the one they love. The singer expresses how every time they see their loved one, it is like the first time again, and nothing can compare to the rare delight of being able to see them. The more they see their beloved, the more they want to be with them, and every time they are apart, they feel lost without them. The singer asks if the object of their affection can imagine how much they love them and how as the years go by, the only one they can see themselves with is them. They pledge that their heart won't try to free them from their love and that they will always be the one for them.
This song is a beautiful representation of everlasting love and the way that seeing someone you love can bring such joy into your life. The repetition of "the more I see you" shows how the singer's love grows stronger as time goes on, and the pledge that they won't let their beloved go is a touching expression of loyalty and commitment. Overall, this song is a powerful tribute to the power of love and the way it can change our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Each time I look at you is like the first time
Every time I see you, I feel the same way I did the very first time I saw you.
Each time you're near me the thrill is new
Every time you're close by, I feel a brand new rush of excitement.
And there is nothing that I wouldn't do for
I'd do anything for you, no matter what the cost may be.
The rare delight of the sight of you for
Just the mere sight of you is enough to bring me so much joy and happiness.
The more I see you, the more I want you
Every time I see you, I crave you even more than the last time I saw you.
Somehow this feeling just grows and grows
This intense feeling of love I have for you just continues to grow stronger and stronger.
With every sigh I become more mad about you
Every time I let out a sigh, I become even more deeply in love with you.
More lost without you and so it goes
I feel so empty and incomplete without you, and nothing seems to change that.
Can you imagine how much I love you?
Can you even fathom the depth and strength of my love for you?
The more I see you as years go by
As time goes on, my love for you only continues to grow stronger.
I know the only one for me can only be you
There is no one else in this world who could ever compare to you and be the perfect match for me.
My arms won't free you, my heart won't try
I will never let you go, and my heart will never stop loving you, no matter what happens.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mack Gordon, Harry Warren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind