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.
Too Close For Comfort
Count Basie Lyrics
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Don't upset your cart when she's so close
Be soft, be sweet, but be discreet
Don't go off your beat; she's so close for comfort
Too close, too close for comfort; please, not again
Too close, too close to know just when to say when
Be firm, be fair, be sure, beware
One thing leads to another, too late to run for cover
She's much too close for comfort now
Too close, too close for comfort; please, not again
Too close, too close to know just when to say when
So be firm and be fair, be sure, beware
On your guard, take care, while there's such temptation
One thing leads to another, too late to run for cover
She's much too close for comfort now
Too close, much too close
She's much too close for comfort now
The lyrics to Count Basie & His Orchestra's song "Too Close For Comfort" is a warning to anyone who may be in danger of becoming romantically involved with someone who is too close for comfort. The singer tells us to be wise, smart, and behave our hearts. The object of our desire is so close that we need to be careful not to upset our cart. We should be soft and sweet, but discreet, and not go off our beat. The lyrics emphasize the importance of being on guard and taking care while there is such temptation.
The singer lets us know that the object of our desire is much too close for comfort, and we should be careful, firm, fair, and sure. It is too close for us to know just when to say when. One thing leads to another, and it is too late to run for cover. The song tells us that the object of our affection is much too close for comfort now, and we need to be on our guard.
In summary, "Too Close For Comfort" is a warning to be careful when someone we are attracted to is too close for comfort. It is a reminder to be on our guard, take care, and not let our hearts lead us astray.
Line by Line Meaning
Be wise, be smart, behave, my heart
Be intelligent and considerate, my heart
Don't upset your cart when she's so close
Don't get ahead of yourself when she's nearby
Be soft, be sweet, but be discreet
Be gentle and kind, but also subtle
Don't go off your beat; she's so close for comfort
Don't lose control; she's too close for comfort
Too close, too close for comfort; please, not again
It's uncomfortable how close she is; please, not again
Too close, too close to know just when to say when
It's too close to determine when to stop
Be firm, be fair, be sure, beware
Be resolute, be just, be certain, be cautious
On your guard, take care, while there's such temptation
Be careful and watchful; there's a lot of temptation
One thing leads to another, too late to run for cover
One thing leads to another, and it's too late to escape
She's much too close for comfort now
She's uncomfortably close now
Too close, much too close
It's much too close
She's much too close for comfort now
She's uncomfortably close now
Lyrics © BOCK IP LLC, BMG Rights Management, CARLIN AMERICA INC, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George David Weiss, Jerry Bock, Larry Holofcener
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind