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.
Time On My Hands
Count Basie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The moon is my light of love
In the night, I am quite a romancer
I find an answer above
To being me consolation, you're my inspiration
This is my imagination.
Time on my hands, you in my arms
Once and for all, I'll see my dreams come true
Moments to spare for someone you care for
Our love affair for two
With time on my hands and you in my arms
And love in my heart all for you.
The song Time On My Hands, composed by Vincent Youmans with lyrics by Harold Adamson and Mack Gordon, is a classic love song that depicts a romantic evening between two lovers. The song starts with the singer finding solace in the moon as it shines bright upon them during twilight. The night brings out the romancer in him, and he believes that his inspiration comes from above, from the moon itself. He counts the time he has with his lover as his most precious possession and finds nothing but love in the view.
As the song progresses, the singer assures his lover that he will see his dreams come true with her by his side. He highlights how little time they have together, and how every moment spent with her is worth more than anything else in the world. Their love is an affair for two, and he has nothing but love in his heart for her. The song ends with the singer feeling content and satisfied, knowing that he has found someone he cares for, and has time on his hands to enjoy her company.
Line by Line Meaning
When the day fades away into twilight
As the daylight dwindles and darkness sets in
The moon is my light of love
I find comfort and inspiration in the moon's glow
In the night, I am quite a romancer
Under the stars, I am a passionate lover
I find an answer above
I seek guidance and solace from a higher power
To being me consolation, you're my inspiration
Your presence brings me comfort and fuels my creativity
This is my imagination.
The world I create is one of my own making
Time on my hands, you in my arms
With free time and you by my side
Nothing but love in view, then you fall
My focus is solely on our love, and I am completely devoted to you
Once and for all, I'll see my dreams come true
For once and forever, I'll make my wishes into reality
Moments to spare for someone you care for
Finding time to devote to someone you love
Our love affair for two
Our intimate romance between just the two of us
With time on my hands and you in my arms
With leisure time and you in my embrace
And love in my heart all for you.
My heart is filled with love, and it is all for you.
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harold Adamson, Mack Gordon, Vincent Youmans
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
neil mckillop
A gasser rendition of this song!!