Dave Pell (David Pell, February 26, 1925 – May 8, 2017) was an American jaz… Read Full Bio ↴Dave Pell (David Pell, February 26, 1925 – May 8, 2017) was an American jazz saxophonist and bandleader . He was best known for leading a cool jazz octet in the 1950s, the Dave Pell Octet.

Born in Brooklyn, New York City, Dave Pell first played in his teens with the big bands of Tony Pastor, Bob Astor, and Bobby Sherwood, and then moved to California in the middle of the 1940s. There he played on Bob Crosby's radio show in 1946, and was a member of Les Brown's band from 1947 to 1955.

In 1953 he began working with his own ensembles, mostly as an octet: Pell on tenor sax, another saxophone (either a baritone or an alto), trumpet and trombone, guitar, and a piano-bass-drums rhythm section). Among the octet players were Pepper Adams, Benny Carter, Mel Lewis, Red Mitchell, Marty Paich, Art Pepper and, early his career, John Williams. These ensembles recorded in the 1950s for Atlantic, Kapp, Coral, Capitol, and RCA Victor; alongside this, he played as a sideman for Shorty Rogers, Pete Rugolo, Benny Goodman, and Gene Krupa. He also produced in the 1950s and 1960s for Tops, Uni and Liberty; among his credits in production were some singles by Gary Lewis & the Playboys.

In 1961, Pell switched to alto sax and clarinet for I Remember John Kirby, a tribute album to bassist/bandleader Kirby who led a successful small group in the 1930s and '40s.

Pell was the recording session leader for the 1965 hit song "No Matter What Shape (Your Stomach's In)", performed by members of the elite Los Angeles studio musicians known as The Wrecking Crew but attributed to The T-Bones.

In the 1970s he assembled the group Prez Conference, a Lester Young tribute ensemble. In the 1980s he returned to the octet format, and played on and off into the 1990s.

While living in North Hollywood, Dave Pell was married to Babette and had two daughters, Sandra and Suzanne. He died on 8 May 2017 at the age of 92.

Thanks For The Memory
Dave Pell Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Thanks for the memory
Of sentimental verse,
Nothing in my purse,
And chuckles
When the preacher said
For better or for worse,
How lovely it was.

Thanks for the memory
Of Schubert's Serenade,
Little things of jade
And traffic jams
And anagrams
And bills we never paid,
How lovely it was.

We who could laugh over big things
Were parted by only a slight thing.
I wonder if we did the right thing,
Oh, well, that's life, I guess,
I love your dress.

Thanks for the memory
Of faults that you forgave,
Of rainbows on a wave,
And stockings in the basin
When a fellow needs a shave,
Thank you so much.

Thanks for the memory
Of tinkling temple bells,
Alma mater yells
And Cuban rum
And towels from
The very best hotels,
Oh how lovely it was.

Thanks for the memory
Of cushions on the floor,
Hash with Dinty Moore,
That pair of gay pajamas
That you bought
And never wore.

We said goodbye with a highball,
Then I got as high as a steeple,
But we were intelligent people,
No tears, no fuss,
Hooray for us.

Strictly entire nous,
Darling, how are you?
And how are all
Those little dreams
That never did come true?

Awfully glad I met you,
Cheerio and toodle-oo

Thank you,
Thank you so much.

Overall Meaning

In the song "Thanks for the Memory" by Dave Pell, the singer reminisces about the ups and downs of a past relationship. The lyrics are about the good times, including sentimental memories and laughter, as well as the difficult times, such as the fights over unpaid bills. The lyrics reveal a relationship that had its share of problems but was ultimately fondly remembered.

The song is filled with memories that the singer holds dear, from Schubert's Serenade to Cuban rum, and from temple bells to a pair of gay pajamas. It is clear that the singer and his former partner laughed together and shared many happy moments, but ultimately the two went their separate ways without too much heartbreak or fuss. The final verse of the song is a bittersweet farewell, with the singer wishing his former partner well and thanking her for the memories.

Line by Line Meaning

Thanks for the memory
Grateful for the reminiscences

Of sentimental verse,
Poetry that evokes emotions

Nothing in my purse,
Lack of funds

And chuckles
Amusing moments

When the preacher said
During the wedding ceremony

For better or for worse,
Vows taken in marriage

How lovely it was.
Recalling happy times

Of Schubert's Serenade,
A favorite song of memory

Little things of jade
Trinkets with sentimental value

And traffic jams
Inconveniences of everyday life

And anagrams
Word games

And bills we never paid,
Financial challenges

How lovely it was.
Recalling happy times

We who could laugh over big things
Tendency to find humor in difficult situations

Were parted by only a slight thing.
Separated by a small issue

I wonder if we did the right thing,
Uncertainty about life choices

Oh, well, that's life, I guess,
Acceptance of life's uncertainties

I love your dress.
Complimenting the other person

Of faults that you forgave,
Appreciating the other person's forgiveness and understanding

Of rainbows on a wave,
Appreciating the beauty of nature

And stockings in the basin
Intimate moments shared with the other person

When a fellow needs a shave,
Not taking oneself too seriously

Thank you so much.
Expressing gratitude

Of tinkling temple bells,
Sounds that evoke memories

Alma mater yells
Cheers of school spirit

And Cuban rum
Exotic flavors experienced together

And towels from
Memorabilia from trips taken together

The very best hotels,
Luxury experiences shared

Oh how lovely it was.
Recalling happy times

Of cushions on the floor,
Comfortable moments shared

Hash with Dinty Moore,
Simple meals shared together

That pair of gay pajamas
A playful item purchased for the other person

That you bought And never wore.
An item that never saw the light of day

We said goodbye with a highball,
Parting moments shared over drinks

Then I got as high as a steeple,
Intoxicated state

But we were intelligent people,
Both persons were smart

No tears, no fuss,
Parting was amicable

Hooray for us.
Celebrating the good times shared

Strictly entire nous,
A French phrase meaning being exquisite or chill

Darling, how are you?
Asking how the other person is doing

And how are all
Inquiring about others in their lives

Those little dreams
Asking about unfulfilled aspirations

That never did come true?
Reflecting on unfulfilled dreams

Awfully glad I met you,
Expressing gratitude

Cheerio and toodle-oo
British phrases for goodbye

Thank you, Thank you so much.
Expressing gratitude

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Leo Robin, Ralph Rainger

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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