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.
She's A Woman
Count Basie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now she seems quite out of place, like a fallen star
Draped around my kitchen sink , Happy as can be
I just have to stop and think, Why she fell for me.
I'm not much to look at, nothing to see
Just glad I'm livin' and lucky to be
I got a woman crazy for me
I can't save a dollar, ain't worth a cent
She doesn't holler she'd live in a tent
I got a woman crazy for me
She's funny that way.
Tho' she loves to work and slave for me ev'ry day
She'd be so much better off if I went away.
But why should I leave her, why should I go
She'd be unhappy without me I know
I got a woman crazy for me
She's funny that way.
She should have the very best, Anyone can see
Still she's diff'rent from the rest, satisfied with me.
While I worry plan and scheme, Over what to do
Can't help feeling it's a dream, Too good to be true.
Never had nothin'; no one to care
That's why I seem to have more than my share,
I got a woman, crazy for me,
She's funny that way.
When I hurt her feelings, once in a while,
Her only answer is one little smile,
I got a woman crazy for me.
She's funny that way.
I can see no other way and no better plan,
End it all and let her go to some better man;
But I'm only human, coward at best
I'm more than certain she'd follow me west,
I got a woman crazy for me,
She's funny that way.
The lyrics to Count Basie's "She's A Woman" tell the story of a man who is bewildered by the fact that he has a woman who is completely devoted to him despite his lack of material wealth, good looks, or other desirable qualities. He describes how his partner used to live a life of luxury, but now seems content with a simple existence with him. He marvels at her loyalty to him even when he hurts her feelings, and laments the fact that she would be better off without him. However, he cannot bring himself to leave her because he knows that she would follow him anywhere.
The song can be interpreted in a number of ways, but one common theme is the idea that love is not always rational or based on practical considerations. The singer's lack of confidence in himself is contrasted with his partner's unwavering devotion, highlighting the power of love to transform and transcend social norms and expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Once she dressed in silks and lace, Owned a Rolls Royce car
She used to be wealthy and fashionable, with a luxurious car.
Now she seems quite out of place, like a fallen star
She appears to be struggling and out of her element, like she has fallen from grace.
Draped around my kitchen sink , Happy as can be
She is content and joyful, even while doing mundane household tasks.
I just have to stop and think, Why she fell for me.
He is surprised and grateful that she chose to love him, given his faults and imperfections.
I'm not much to look at, nothing to see
He doesn't consider himself physically attractive.
Just glad I'm livin' and lucky to be
He is simply grateful to be alive and fortunate.
I got a woman crazy for me
He has a woman who loves him deeply.
She's funny that way.
He finds it amusing and remarkable that she loves him despite his shortcomings.
I can't save a dollar, ain't worth a cent
He struggles financially and doesn't see himself as valuable.
She doesn't holler she'd live in a tent
She doesn't complain about their financial struggles and would be happy to live a simple life, even in a tent.
Tho' she loves to work and slave for me ev'ry day
She works hard and sacrifices for him every day because she loves him.
She'd be so much better off if I went away.
He believes that she would be happier and better off without him, but he doesn't want to leave her.
But why should I leave her, why should I go
He questions why he would leave her when they love each other, despite their struggles.
She'd be unhappy without me I know
He believes that she would be miserable without him, which is why he doesn't want to leave.
She should have the very best, Anyone can see
She deserves the best in life, and it's clear to anyone who knows her.
Still she's diff'rent from the rest, satisfied with me.
Despite being capable of having the best, she is content and happy with him specifically.
While I worry plan and scheme, Over what to do
He stresses about their financial situation and how to provide for her.
Can't help feeling it's a dream, Too good to be true.
He feels like their happiness and love is too perfect and wonders if it's too good to be true.
Never had nothin'; no one to care
He's never had much in life, and nobody has ever cared for him as much as she does.
That's why I seem to have more than my share,
He feels like he has more than he deserves because he has her love.
When I hurt her feelings, once in a while,
He recognizes that he sometimes hurts her emotionally.
Her only answer is one little smile,
She forgives him easily and responds with a small smile, which means the world to him.
I can see no other way and no better plan,
He can't imagine leaving her or finding a better way to live.
End it all and let her go to some better man;
Despite his struggles, he doesn't want to let her go or see her with anyone else.
But I'm only human, coward at best
He recognizes his flaws and limitations as a human being.
I'm more than certain she'd follow me west,
He is confident that she would follow him anywhere, even to the ends of the earth.
I got a woman crazy for me,
He is grateful for the love of a woman who is devoted to him.
She's funny that way.
He finds it amusing and remarkable that she loves him despite his faults and imperfections.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Neil Moret, Richard Whiting
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Adams
That is 1 hell of an album...when 2 of the all-time greats collaborate...The result is pure heaven...Bravo...