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.
Smack Dab in the Middle
Count Basie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where people like a rockin time
And stay awake both day and night
Till everybody's feelin good an' right
Then throw me (smack dab in the middle)
I wanna be (smack dab in the middle)
Ahhhhh, smack dab in the middle, boys now
Ten Cadillacs, a diamond mill
Ten suits of clothes to dress to kill
A ten room house, some Bar B Q
And fifty chicks not over twenty-two
Then throw me (smack dab in the middle)
Oh, I wanna be (smack dab in the middle)
Ahhhhh, now boys you can see why
I wanna be smack dab in the middle now
So I can rock and roll to satisfy my soul
One hundred beds with chorus girls
A street that's paved with natural pearls
A wagon load of bonds and stocks
Then open up the door at Fort Knox
Then throw me (smack dab in the middle)
I wanna be (smack dab in the middle)
Ahhhhh, now listen boys throw me
Smack dab in the middle right now
So Ray can rock and roll to satisfy his soul
That's all right!
A lot of bread and gangs of meat
Oodles of butter and somethin sweet
Gallons of coffee to wash it down
Bicarbonated soda by the pound
Then throw me (smack dab in the middle)
I picture it (smack dab in the middle)
Ah, throw me now, smack dab in the middle right now
So I can rock and roll to satisfy my soul
Alright!
The lyrics of "Smack Dab in the Middle" is about wanting to be in the midst of all the fun and excitement, where the spirits are high and everyone is enjoying themselves. The opening lines of the song describe the type of town the singer would want to be in: a place where people enjoy having a good time and partying all day and night. The singer then desires to be at the center of the excitement, where he can dance and celebrate, and says that he wants to be "smack dab in the middle" of it all.
The second verse describes the things he would like to have if he were to be in the middle of all the fun, including ten Cadillacs, ten suits of clothes, a ten-room house, some Bar-B-Q, and fifty girls under twenty-two. The third verse talks about even more lavish desires, including a hundred beds with chorus girls, a street paved with natural pearls, and access to Fort Knox.
Overall, the lyrics of "Smack Dab in the Middle" reveal a desire for good times, luxury, and excitement. The song captures the excitement of being in the middle of a party and the thrill of enjoying all the luxuries that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Pick me a town in any clime
Name any place where people enjoy good times
Where people like a rockin time
Where citizens love to have a great time by dancing to the beat of some rock music
And stay awake both day and night
Where the locals never sleep as they party through the day and the night
Till everybody's feelin good an' right
Until everyone is in high spirit and feeling good
Then throw me (smack dab in the middle)
Place me right in the middle of it all
I wanna be (smack dab in the middle)
I desire to be part of it
Ahhhhh, smack dab in the middle, boys now
I'm calling for it right away
So I can rock and roll to satisfy my soul
So I can dance to the beat and please myself
Ten Cadillacs, a diamond mill
Ten luxury cars, a diamond-making factory
Ten suits of clothes to dress to kill
Ten fancy outfits to make a lasting impression
A ten room house, some Bar B Q
A ten-room mansion with a barbecue area
And fifty chicks not over twenty-two
And 50 beautiful girls who are not older than 22
Oh, I wanna be (smack dab in the middle)
I really want to be a part of it
Ahhhhh, now boys you can see why
Now you guys understand why I'm calling for it
One hundred beds with chorus girls
100 beds with women who sing and dance
A street that's paved with natural pearls
A road made of pearls
A wagon load of bonds and stocks
A wagon filled with financial securities such as bonds and stocks
Then open up the door at Fort Knox
Then let me in to the US Bullion Depository at Fort Knox where the gold reserve is stored
Ah, throw me now, smack dab in the middle right now
Throw me right inside the middle of everything
So Ray can rock and roll to satisfy his soul
So that Ray can dance to the beat and please himself
A lot of bread and gangs of meat
A lot of money and lots of food
Oodles of butter and somethin sweet
Lots of butter and something deliciously sweet
Gallons of coffee to wash it down
Lots of coffee to wash it all down
Bicarbonated soda by the pound
Sodas in large quantities
I picture it (smack dab in the middle)
I imagine myself being right in the middle of everything
Alright!
That's great!
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHARLES E CALHOUN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rani Hyman
The arrangement on this song might be the best I've ever heard. Amazing!
Rani Hyman
The arrangement on this is just sensational. Count Basie was the best!!!
Perry Wiggins
What ever mood I might be in this version Joe Williams/ Count Base’s “ SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE “ is like a double espresso of enthusiasm as I cruse through my day 😊
salinas victor
Excelente 😁
SpiralBlue Andromeda
How so wonderful William!
Thank you so very much my dear friend for sharing all this magic with us!
❀☀*•.¸¸.•*ஜீ❄☼۞✿⌘✽ஜீ۩☮۩ஜீ✽⌘✿۞☼❄ஜீ*•.¸¸.•*☀❀
J0lker
Awesome scene in Billions!
Cameron McCarty
I can imagine this being in Fallout 4
Keith Alderton
This is the wrong LP sleeve shown for this song. It is track 2 on the "One O'Clock Jump " album from 1957. "The Greatest !!" was four albums before released in 1956.
THE OLD GODS
Fattest Basie w/vocals stack baby, best ever-
Dan_D_Baker Cigar & Bourbon lover
Chuck Rhodes brought me here..