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.
Teach Me Tonight
Count Basie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, don't think I'm trying not to learn
Since this is the perfect spot to learn
Teach me tonight
Starting with the A-B-C of it
Getting right down to the X-Y-Z of it
Help me solve the mystery of it
The sky's a blackboard high above you
And if a shooting star goes by
I'll use that star to write, "I love you"
A thousand times across the sky
One thing isn't very clear, my love
Teachers shouldn't stand so near, my love
Graduation's almost here, my love
You'd better teach me tonight
I've played loves scenes in a flick or two
And I've also met a chick or two
But I still can learn a trick or two
Hey, teach me tonight
I who thought I knew the score of it
Kind of think I should know much more of it
Off the wall, the bed, the floor of it
Hey, teach me tonight
The midnight hours come slowly creeping
When there's no one there but you
There must be more to life than sleeping
Single in a bed for two
What I need most is post graduate
What I feel is hard to articulate
If you want me to matriculate
You'd better teach me tonight
What do you get for lessons?
Teach me, come on and teach me
Teach me tonight
The lyrics to Count Basie and Sarah Vaughan’s “Teach Me Tonight” are an invitation to someone special to teach the singer about love and passion. The singer initially questions if they have a lot to learn, but assures their partner that they are willing to learn. The singer says that the current moment is perfect for learning, and asks their partner to show them everything from A to Z. They also ask their partner to help them solve the mystery of love.
The singer compares the sky to a blackboard, saying that they can use a shooting star to write “I love you” a thousand times across the sky. However, they express some uncertainty in the situation. They remark that the teacher should not stand so near and indicate that graduation is almost here. In the second half of the song, the singer suggests that they might have played love scenes in a movie or two and met a couple of people, but they still feel like they have a lot to learn. They ask their partner to teach them tricks and techniques they may not know yet. They end the song with a direct request to the teacher to teach them tonight.
Line by Line Meaning
Did you say that I've got a lot to learn?
Are you suggesting that I lack knowledge and need to acquire more?
Well, don't think I'm trying not to learn
Please understand that I am not refusing to learn.
Since this is the perfect spot to learn
This seems like the ideal situation to begin my learning process.
Teach me tonight
Please instruct me now.
Starting with the A-B-C of it
Perhaps the basics are the best place to begin.
Getting right down to the X-Y-Z of it
Once we have covered the basics, let's proceed to more advanced material.
Help me solve the mystery of it
Guide me through understanding the unknown aspects of the topic.
Teach me tonight
I request that you educate me now.
The sky's a blackboard high above you
The sky appears as a canvas from where you stand.
And if a shooting star goes by
In the event that a shooting star crosses the sky,
I'll use that star to write, "I love you"
Allow me to express my affections with this celestial event.
A thousand times across the sky
Let my proclamation of affection be vast and numerous.
One thing isn't very clear, my love
There is one aspect that remains uncertain, my dear.
Teachers shouldn't stand so near, my love
It is unprofessional and inappropriate for instructors to be in such close proximity.
Graduation's almost here, my love
I will soon need to move on from this learning stage, my love.
You'd better teach me tonight
I implore you to teach me what you can now.
I've played loves scenes in a flick or two
I have played romantic roles in a few movies.
And I've also met a chick or two
I have encountered a few women in my life.
But I still can learn a trick or two
However, I acknowledge that there are things I have yet to unravel.
Hey, teach me tonight
Please teach me now.
I who thought I knew the score of it
I believed I had a thorough understanding of it.
Kind of think I should know much more of it
Now I realize that there is still much more for me to comprehend.
Off the wall, the bed, the floor of it
There are various aspects of it, from unconventional to the most intimate.
Hey, teach me tonight
I plead with you to teach me what I seek to know now.
The midnight hours come slowly creeping
As the night grows late, it feels as though time passes slowly.
When there's no one there but you
In these moments, it is only you and I.
There must be more to life than sleeping
This cannot be the only purpose to life - rest and idleness.
Single in a bed for two
Although there are two in bed, they are functioning as a single entity.
What I need most is post-graduate
I require education beyond the main curriculum.
What I feel is hard to articulate
Expressing my feelings and desires is presenting a challenge.
If you want me to matriculate
If you expect me to enter the institution of marriage,
You'd better teach me tonight
Please make sure to educate and guide me soon.
What do you get for lessons?
What is the value you see in imparting your lessons to me?
Teach me, come on and teach me
Impart your knowledge to me, I implore you.
Teach me tonight
I request that you educate me now.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Sammy Cahn, Gene De Paul
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind