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.
The Late Late Show
Count Basie Lyrics
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When you cuddle up and hold me tight,
Stars above, they seem to know
We're puttin' on the late late show!
Hear the crazy music in the trees,
See the flowers dancin' in the breeze,
Old man moon begins to glow,
Birds that should be dreamin'
Start in chirpin' a song.
While fireflies are gleamin',
We kiss, ooh, kiss, ooh, all night long!
Then we amble back to my front door,
Say goodnight and then we kiss some more!
Guess you know I like you so,
It started at the late late show!
It's so cosy in the park tonight
When you cuddle up and hold me tight,
Stars above, they seem to know
We're puttin' on the late late show!
Hear the crazy music in the trees,
See the flowers dancin' in the breeze,
Old man moon begins to glow,
He's joinin' in the late late show!
Birds that should be dreamin'
Start in chirpin' a song.
While fireflies are gleamin',
We kiss, ooh, kiss, ooh, all night long!
Then we amble back to my front door,
Say goodnight and then we kiss some more!
Guess you know I like you so,
It started at the late, late, late, late, late, late,
At the late late show!
The Late Late Show by Count Basie is a beautiful love song that describes a romantic evening spent in a park. The presence of stars above and old man moon's shine sets the perfect ambiance for a late-night rendezvous. The lyrics convey the warmth and coziness of being close to the person you love in the tranquil surroundings of a park. The singer describes how they hear the music emanating from the trees and see the flowers dancing in harmony with the breeze. The mood is perfect, and nature seems to be playing along by adding its own magic to the late-night show.
The song touches on the musical sounds of nature, with birds that should be sleeping starting to chirp melodies, and fireflies gleaming in the background, adding to the romance of the evening. The singer also shares how he and his love spend the night kissing under the starry sky. The lyrics talk about walking back to the singer's front door after an amazing evening spent in each other's company. The song ends with the singer confessing his feelings, expressing his romantic interest towards his love, and how it all started with the late, late show.
Overall, the song describes the beauty and warmth of a perfect romantic evening spent with someone you care about. The lyrics paint a picture of two people enjoying each other's company and the charm of nature, creating memories that would last forever.
Line by Line Meaning
Gee it's cosy in the park tonight
The park is very cozy tonight.
When you cuddle up and hold me tight,
When we embrace tightly,
Stars above, they seem to know
The stars above appear to understand
We're puttin' on the late late show!
We are performing a late night show!
Hear the crazy music in the trees,
Listen to the bizarre tunes coming from the trees,
See the flowers dancin' in the breeze,
Observe the flowers swaying in the gentle wind,
Old man moon begins to glow,
The elderly moon has now begun to shine,
He's joinin' in the late late show!
It has now become a part of our late night exhibition!
Birds that should be dreamin'
The birds that should be sleeping and dreaming
Start in chirpin' a song.
Begin to chirp and sing a melody.
While fireflies are gleamin',
While the fireflies are shining,
We kiss, ooh, kiss, ooh, all night long!
We kiss all night long!
Then we amble back to my front door,
We stroll to my front door,
Say goodnight and then we kiss some more!
Bid goodbye and kiss each other again!
Guess you know I like you so,
I believe you understand that I love you very much,
It started at the late late show!
Our romance commenced during the late night performance!
It's so cosy in the park tonight
The park is incredibly cozy tonight
When you cuddle up and hold me tight,
When we snuggle and embrace tightly,
Stars above, they seem to know
The stars above appear to comprehend,
We're puttin' on the late late show!
We are presenting the late night performance!
Lyrics © JONROY MUSIC COMPANY, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David D Cavanaugh, Roy Alfred
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind