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 O' Clock Jump
Count Basie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My pretty little poppy
You're like that lovely flower, so sweet and heavenly
Since I found you
My heart is wrapped around you
And loving you it seems to beat a rhapsody
Amapola
The pretty little poppy
Amapola, Amapola
How I long to hear you say, "I love you."
The lyrics of Count Basie's song One O'Clock Jump mainly serve as an introduction to the instrumental jazz piece, but it starts with a sweet ode to a loved one in the form of the song Amapola. It is a love song that describes the beauty and charm of a woman comparing her to the pretty little poppy flower, heavenly and sweet. The singer is completely enraptured with his love, and his heart beats with a rhapsody whenever he thinks about her.
The chorus of the song, "Amapola, Amapola, how I long to hear you say I love you" highlights the singer's intense desire for reciprocity and love from his beloved. The song speaks to the universal feeling of being deeply in love and wanting your partner to share those same feelings with you. The lyrics may be simple but powerful, expressing the feelings of love and longing that are relatable to many people.
Line by Line Meaning
Amapola
Oh Amapola song, symbolizing and referring to a Spanish folksong declaring a love for a flower.
My pretty little poppy
You are like a beautiful and delicate poppy flower, charming and attractive.
You're like that lovely flower, so sweet and heavenly
You are like an enchanting and divine flower, exuding a mesmerizing and delightful fragrance.
Since I found you
Ever since I discovered you and met you, my life has changed for the better.
My heart is wrapped around you
My heart belongs to you entirely and is consumed by your love.
And loving you it seems to beat a rhapsody
Loving you causes my heart to produce a melodious and enthusiastic music, just like a rhapsody.
The pretty little poppy
That charming little flower, used as a metaphor to compare to the girl's beauty.
Must copy its endearing charm from you
That cute flower seems to have acquired its appealing and captivating attractiveness from you, my love.
Amapola, Amapola
Oh Amapola song, repeated with affection to convey deeper emotions towards the loved one.
How I long to hear you say, "I love you."
I am eagerly hoping to hear those magical words of love from you soon, satisfying my heart's desire and making me complete.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WILLIAM BASIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@robertchristie9434
I saw the Count play with his full band at Eastland Mall in the summer of '72. He started at 9 pm (store closing hours) & went on past midnight. Before the concert I saw a man eating an ice cream relaxing on a park bench. He looked awfully familiar. I said to him "Count?". He sheepishly nodded. We shook hands & I thanked him for all the fantastic music over the years. What a pleasant man. Great lifetime experience that i will never forget.
@Frankie-O
Jazz 'Round Midnight
@joeloesch1219
Lucky man, you! Loved his textures, and he wasn't about using the drums.
@weegie18
Eastland Mail East of Pittsburgh?
@chuckwosilis1247
Back in 1959 i was with the USAF stationed at Otis AFB at Falmouth Mass. The leader of the Air Force Base Band gave me a call ( no idea how he got my number ) asking if i would like to play with the band on the upcoming Sunday afternoon at the Officer's Club. About 12 piece band at least. THIS is the first song we were going to play, INCLUDING that piano-solo introduction. ( that was me ) I had a few accordion lessons when i was 13-14 years old, maybe a year total. Luckily i had played with the USAF base band while i was up in Iceland, so i guess i got a little more "training' so to speak. Anywho, so i showed up that Sunday got acquainted and was given the music "charts", with this one sitting right on TOP of the rest. NOT being familiar at all with the song, i opened the music and saw, what looked like to me, "hundreds of notes" all over the place, looked like a horde of little gnats or something. YIKES!! All i could do is prepare myself and "after the leader's count, i went for broke, realizing just one thing.........................I knew it was the key of b-flat and to just keep going, no matter what. After what seemed like an eternity, the rest of the band jumped in. That was a relief. LOL So, to make a long story "short", i made it through the rest of the afternoon with the band.........about 1 1/2 hours. One helluva experience i'll NEVER forget. LOL
@davidhegarty9994
I get that Chuck. In the late fifties I was privileged to rehearse with a local dance band, twelve piece, Jimmy Lally arrangements, and was STUNNED by the overall effect of the sound when played by a band with a good leader, and guided by disciplined practice.
@jaerivus
What a cool experience that must've been! That's funny you should mention Otis, because I happened to deploy there in 2000 or 2001, so my eyes lit up immediately to see you mention it.
I bet you sounded great. :)
@davidreyngoudt3472
Playing the piano solo for jazz ensemble, and I feel you$
@iancolthart6676
The 20’s will be back in two years. I suggest we bring back jazz
@jibsmokestack1
Best comment I've seen in a while!