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.
Stormy Monday Blues
Count Basie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I call you Stormy today
All of a sudden that ole rain's fallin' down
And my world is cloudy and gray
You've gone away
Oh Stormy, oh Stormy
Bring back that sunny day
But, like the weather ya changed
Now things are dreary, baby
And it's windy and cold
And I stand alone in the rain
Callin' your name
Oh Stormy, oh Stormy
Bring back that sunny day
Oh Stormy, oh Stormy
Bring back that sunny day
Bring back that sunny day
Oh Stormy,
Oh Stormy
The song "Stormy Monday Blues" by Count Basie and Billy Eckstine hits on the idea of the weather being a metaphor for the emotional state of the singer. In the beginning, they reminisce about how the person they are singing about used to brighten their day and bring joy to their world, much like sunshine does. However, now the person they are thinking of has become a source of sadness and turmoil, like a stormy weather pattern. They describe how the rain is coming down and the world has lost its warmth and color, leaving them in a somber and gray state of mind. They are begging for this person, who they call "Stormy," to come back and bring the sunshine and good times with them, ending the song with the repeated plea of "Bring back that sunny day."
The singer's heartbreak and longing are evident in the way they describe the change in their relationship. They compare it to a sudden change in the weather, as when a storm unexpectedly appears on a previously clear and warm day, and the devastation that it brings. It can be seen as a representation of how quickly and unexpectedly things can change in life, leaving one feeling lost and alone. Overall, the song is a beautiful analogy for the cycle of love and heartbreak and the hope that things will one day return to the way they were.
Line by Line Meaning
You were the sunshine, baby, whenever you smiled
You used to bring light and joy into my life with your smile
But I call you Stormy today
Today, you are the opposite of sunshine, you bring storms and bad weather
All of a sudden that ole rain's fallin' down
The bad things have come suddenly, just like a rainstorm
And my world is cloudy and gray
My life feels dull and miserable now
You've gone away
You left me all alone and took the sunshine with you
Yesterday's love was like a warm summer breeze
Our love used to be warm, bright and easy-going like a summer breeze
But, like the weather ya changed
However, just like the ever-changing weather, you underwent a change too
Now things are dreary, baby
Our love has become bleak and dismal now
And it's windy and cold
My heart feels as if it's in the middle of a cold, windy storm now
And I stand alone in the rain
I am left standing alone and vulnerable, drenched in the rain
Callin' your name
I am desperately calling out for you
Oh Stormy, oh Stormy
I'm calling out to you, the bringer of storms
Bring back that sunny day
Please bring back the happiness and sunshine you took away
Oh Stormy, oh Stormy
I'm pleading with you, the bringer of storms
Bring back that sunny day
Please bring back the happiness and sunshine you took away
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Aaron T-Bone Walker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
niptuck117
Her voice is outstanding, then she comes in on the sax and melts your mind. What a talent she is.
Miguel Torres
..so good...tell your grandmother some of us truly appreciate her inspirational artistry..her music lives and her story will be told
ShaJane
Jamaal, your grandmother is phenomenal...tell her thank you and that we love her.
Shailendra Khot
Absolutely inspirational and stunning performance! No words to describe!!!
niptuck117
She absolutely slays on the sax, it just looks so effortless. Watched this video so many times over the years, I love this performance so much.
Firebrand55
Fabulous!.....a great voice AND an amazing alto player. Thanks for posting.
Kimberly Salico-Diehl
Happy birthday to your grandmother. What an incredible musician - and thank her for me - for paving the way for women in music. Her artistry is such a gift to all of us. Wow.
jay1beaux
Truly great musician and singer
Alan Senzaki
Yeahhh! You go girl. Love you Vi!!!...you can hear all that soul she absorbed from los angeles!💥🌴😎🎶
China Moses
Everything about this giving me reason to go on... Bravo.