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.
That Old Feeling
Count Basie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Last night my heart was so gay
Last night I found myself dancing
In my favorite cabaret
You were completely forgotten
Just an affair of the past
Then suddenly something happened to me
And I found my heart beating, oh, so fast
I saw you last night and got that old feeling
When you came in sight I got that old feeling
The moment that you danced by I felt a thrill
And when you caught my eye my heart stood still
Once again I seemed to feel that old yearning
And I knew the spark of love was still burning
There'll be no new romance for me, it's foolish to start
For that old feeling, is still in my heart
I saw you last night and got that old feeling
When you came in sight I got that old feeling
The moment that you danced by I felt a thrill
And when you caught my eye my heart stood still
Once again I seemed to feel that old yearning
And I knew the spark of love was still burning
There'll be no new romance for me, it's foolish to start
For that old feeling, is still in my heart
Count Basie's "That Old Feeling" is a classic jazz standard that describes the emotional journey that the singer goes through when they see their former lover. The song opens with the singer stating that they were happy and carefree until they bumped into their ex. The singer remembers their past affair and how they had seemingly moved on until the encounter disrupted their emotions. The nostalgia kicks in, and the singer feels a mixture of excitement and yearning for the love they once shared. The message conveyed through the lyrics is bittersweet because although the feelings of love linger, there is the painful awareness that getting back together is not an option. The singer knows that they cannot start a new relationship, and it would be foolish to try because the old feeling still remains.
The phrase, "That old feeling," refers to the sense of nostalgia that arises from the sight of the former lover, causing the singer to relive the memories of their past love. The singer feels a spark of passion reigniting and the same yearning for their ex, which makes them realize that it might not be easy to let go of their feelings. The lyrics capture the poignant feeling of longing, making it a relatable song to those who still have non-platonic feelings for their ex.
In summary, "That Old Feeling" by Count Basie shows the emotions of a person dealing with the nostalgia that arises after encountering a former lover. It portrays the lost love and longing but accepts that moving on might not come easily.
Line by Line Meaning
Last night I started out happy
I began the evening feeling content and cheerful
Last night my heart was so gay
My heart was carefree and full of joy last night
Last night I found myself dancing
I ended up dancing during the night
In my favorite cabaret
At my preferred nightclub or entertainment venue
You were completely forgotten
I had put you entirely out of my mind
Just an affair of the past
Our relationship was over and done with
Then suddenly something happened to me
All of a sudden, I experienced something unexpected
And I found my heart beating, oh, so fast
It caused my heart to race and quicken in pace
I saw you last night and got that old feeling
After seeing you, I was overcome with a familiar sensation
When you came in sight I got that old feeling
Upon seeing you, I felt the same way again
The moment that you danced by I felt a thrill
Watching you dance filled me with excitement and delight
And when you caught my eye my heart stood still
My heart was completely captivated by you
Once again I seemed to feel that old yearning
I was yet again overcome with a longing for you
And I knew the spark of love was still burning
I was certain that the passion and love between us still existed
There'll be no new romance for me, it's foolish to start
I will not pursue any new relationships as it would be unwise to do so
For that old feeling, is still in my heart
I still have the same intense emotions for you
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PD TRADITIONAL, SANFORD SCHMIDT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stevenmule161
I love this. I have it on an audiotape made from the original vinyl. The quality is poor, so, thank you.
@the78prof72
You're very welcome!