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.
Please Send Me Someone To Love
Count Basie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're gonna find me somewhere hanging around
The night life, people, it ain't no good life
But it's my life, yeah
All the people just like you and me
Everybody's dreaming
Dreaming about their old used to be
The night life, hey, it ain't no good life, people
Yes, listen to the blues, people
Listen to what they're saying
Yes, listen to the blues, people
Listen to the way they're playing
Heaven, please, send to all mankind
Understanding and peace of mind
If it's not asking too much
Please, send me someone to love, someone to love
Show the world, show them how to get along
Peace will enter when hate is gone
If it's not asking too much
Please, send me someone to love
Please, send me someone to love
Nights I lay awake and ponder world's troubles
And my answer is always the same
Unless man put an end to this damnable sin
Hate will put the world in a flame, what a shame
Just because I'm, because I'm in misery
Oh, I don't beg, I don't beg for no sympathy
But if it's not asking too much
Please, send me someone to love, yeah
Oh, the night life; people, it ain't no good life
But it's my life, yeah
So please, please, please, please, please, please
Please, send me someone to love
Someone to love
(Yes, well, excuse me)
The lyrics to Count Basie & Joe Williams's song "Please Send Me Someone To Love" paint a picture of a person who is dissatisfied with their life but has come to accept it as their own. The opening lines suggest that the singer is often out at night, hanging around without much direction or purpose. They acknowledge that the "night life" is not a good life, but it's the only one they have. The following lines reveal that this person is not alone in their melancholy as everyone dreams of their past or "old used to be." The singer accepts that while it's not a good life, it's the life they have.
The song shifts to a plea to heaven for understanding and peace of mind for all people. The lyrics suggest that the way to achieve this is to find someone to love as it will show the world how to get along, and peace will replace hate. The singer acknowledges that they are often in misery but is not asking for any sympathy. They acknowledge that it is not asking too much to have someone to love, someone who would offer them solace in a world of trouble and a life of dissatisfaction.
Overall, the song is about the universal desire to find love and how it can change the world, replacing hate with peace. It highlights how even when we feel lost, it's essential to hold on to hope and the possibility of finding love.
Line by Line Meaning
When the evening, the evening sun goes down
As night falls, I am still out and about
You're gonna find me somewhere hanging around
I am always in the nightlife, even if it's not a good life
The night life, people, it ain't no good life
Being part of the nightlife is not always good
But it's my life, yeah
However, I enjoy this life as it is mine
All the people just like you and me
Everyone, including us, dream about their past
Everybody's dreaming
We all long for something
Dreaming about their old used to be
We all reminisce about the past
The night life, hey, it ain't no good life, people
Being part of the nightlife is not always good
Oh, but it's my life
However, I enjoy this life as it is mine
Yes, listen to the blues, people
Pay attention to what the blues are saying
Listen to what they're saying
Take into account the message of the blues
Yes, listen to the blues, people
Pay attention to what the blues are saying
Listen to the way they're playing
Also listen to how the blues are being played
Heaven, please, send to all mankind
I implore heavenly powers to help humankind
Understanding and peace of mind
May everyone have enough understanding and tranquility
If it's not asking too much
If it's not too much to ask
Please, send me someone to love, someone to love
I request someone to love
Show the world, show them how to get along
Demonstrate to the world how to live peacefully
Peace will enter when hate is gone
Hate is the obstacle to peace
If it's not asking too much
If it's not too much to ask
Please, send me someone to love
I request someone to love
Nights I lay awake and ponder world's troubles
I spend restless nights thinking about the world's problems
And my answer is always the same
The solution I come up with is always the same
Unless man put an end to this damnable sin
Unless humankind ceases to engage in the terrible mistake
Hate will put the world in a flame, what a shame
Hatred will lead the world to destruction, which is a pity
Just because I'm, because I'm in misery
I am not seeking sympathy, even if I am in pain
Oh, I don't beg, I don't beg for no sympathy
I don't plead to be pitied
But if it's not asking too much
If it's not too much to ask
Please, send me someone to love, yeah
I request someone to love
Oh, the night life; people, it ain't no good life
Being part of the nightlife is not always good
But it's my life, yeah
However, I enjoy this life as it is mine
So please, please, please, please, please, please
I implore, I beg
Please, send me someone to love
I request someone to love
Someone to love
A person to cherish
(Yes, well, excuse me)
A casual expression indicating that the song is about to end
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Percy Mayfield
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
shane mcmanus
CHEERS for that. Sounded great.
Corrie121
Thank you for sharing this brilliant post.
Bob Schwartz
Whew!