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.
Swing Brother Swing
Count Basie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hot rhythms stimulate me
Can't help but swing it boy
Swing it brothers swing
Don't stop to diddle daddle
Stop this foolish prattle
Come on swing me boy
Swing it brothers swing
Gonna hold me down
Say listen boy
Hurry up and send me
Let me go to town
Stop this diddle daddle
And this foolish prattle
Come on kill me boy
Swing it brothers swing
Deep rhythms captivate me
Hot rhythms stimulate me
Can't help but swing it boy
Swing it brothers swing
Don't stop to diddle daddle
Stop this foolish prattle
Come on send me Count
Swing it brothers swing
Rarin' to go and there ain't nobody
Gonna hold me down
Say listen boy
Hurry up and send me
Let me go to town
Stop this diddle daddle
And this foolish prattle
Come on swing me Count
Swing it brothers swing
The lyrics of Count Basie & His Orchestra's song "Swing Brother Swing" speak to the powerful allure of swing music, which was booming in popularity in the 1930s and 1940s. The song conveys the singer's deep connection to the rhythmic beats of swing, which they describe as "captivat[ing]" and "stimulat[ing]." The singer urges their fellow musicians to keep the swing going, using imperative commands like "Don't stop to diddle daddle" and "Stop this foolish prattle." They also express a sense of urgency, as they are "rarin' to go" and eager to play without anyone holding them back.
The song is peppered with slang and colloquialisms that were common in the jazz world at the time, such as "swing it boys," which was a phrase used to encourage band members to keep the groove going. Additionally, the singer urges someone named "Count" to "send me" and "swing me," likely a reference to Count Basie himself, who was the bandleader and pianist for the Count Basie Orchestra. The lyrics of "Swing Brother Swing" convey the joyous, lively spirit of swing music, which was a popular form of entertainment in dance halls and clubs during the big band era.
Line by Line Meaning
Deep rhythm captivates me
I am completely mesmerized by the profound rhythm of this music
Hot rhythms stimulate me
The lively and intense beats of this music energize and excite me
Can't help but swing it boy
I am unable to resist the urge to dance to this music
Swing it brothers swing
Everyone should join in the delightful and infectious swinging rhythm of this music
Don't stop to diddle daddle
Do not waste time with pointless talk or actions
Stop this foolish prattle
Put an end to this nonsensical talk
Come on swing me boy
I implore the band to play some more swinging music
Raring to go and there ain't nobody
I am ready and eager to start dancing, and nothing can hold me back
Gonna hold me down
No one will be able to prevent me from enjoying this music and dancing
Say listen boy
Listen closely to what I am about to say
Hurry up and send me
Quickly play some more swinging music to keep me dancing
Let me go to town
Allow me to express myself and dance freely to this music
Come on send me Count
I request the bandleader, Count Basie, to play more swinging music for me to dance to
Come on kill me boy
Play some music so good that it overwhelms me with its greatness
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: WALTER BISHOP, LEWIS RAYMOND, CLARENCE WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Chuck1974
Probably the hottest, best version of this song by anybody! Two minutes and five seconds of pure talent and emotion by Billie Holiday and the entire band. Wow.
@rafi1234321
Wingy Manone is hotter
@missmyasia
What a brilliant and important singer... She changed everything!
@xhellonhighheels69x
so much spirit packed into two minutes...
@mabel8179
How incredible do the band and Billie sound live! And to think today the pop stars record with all sorts of tech jiggery pokery but do not sound that good lol.
@MyJohn1964
HISTORY!! I'M LOVIN IT!!
@fastborzoi
love this recording of this song, thanks ! The ultimate swing song, yet very fluid. And how she smoothly alters the lyrics to mention the drummer (Jo Jones) and the band leader (Count Basie)
@j.walker6845
Count Basie’s orchestra in the 1930s with Billie Holiday, Lester Young and company, lightning in a bottle!
@adonaiyah2196
I heard it in a store
@branevans3705
Wow! So good it makes me cry.