Born in Liberchies, Pont-à-Celles, Belgium into a family of Manouche Gypsies, Jean Reinhardt learned to play several instruments such as the banjo, violin and guitar from an early age; he spent most of his youth in Gypsy encampments close to Paris. His family made a living from crafting furniture, but included several amateur musicians who inspired Reinhardt. Eventually, Reinhardt was given a banjo-guitar, at which point he stopped playing the violin. During this period, he was inspired by two older Gypsy musicians, Gusti Mahla and Jean Castro. Able to make a living from his music from his teen years onwards playing in bal-musette halls in Paris, Reinhardt received little formal education until his adult life; he was taught the rudiments of literacy by fellow band member Stéphane Grappelli.
At the age of eighteen, Reinhardt was injured in a fire that ravaged the caravan he shared with Florine "Bella" Mayer, his first wife. They were very poor, and to supplement their income Bella made imitation flowers out of celluloid and paper; consequently, their home was full of this highly inflammable material. Returning from a performance late one night, Django apparently knocked over a candle on his way to bed. While his family and neighbors were quick to pull him to safety, he received first- and second-degree burns over half his body. His right leg was paralyzed and the third and fourth fingers of his left hand were badly burnt. Doctors believed that he would never play guitar again and intended to amputate one of his legs. Reinhardt refused to have the surgery and left the hospital after a short time; he was able to walk within a year with the aid of a cane.
His brother Joseph Reinhardt, an accomplished guitarist himself, bought Django a new guitar. With painful rehabilitation and practice, Reinhardt relearned his craft in a completely new way, even as his third and fourth fingers remained partially paralyzed. Hence, he played all of his guitar solos with only two fingers, and managed to use the two injured digits only for chord work. After regaining his ability to play, Reinhardt resumed his career playing Parisian cafes. According to one story, during his period of recovery, Reinhardt was introduced to the aesthetics of American jazz when he purchased a 78rpm disc of "Dallas Blues" by Louis Armstrong at an Orléans flea market.
In 1934, Reinhardt and Parisian violinist Stéphane Grappelli were approached by hot club chief Pierre Nourry with the idea of forming a forming a new hot club group. Thus, the Quintette du Hot Club de France was formed, with Reinhardt's brother Joseph and Roger Chaput on guitar, and Louis Vola on double bass. Occasionally, Chaput was replaced by Reinhardt's best friend and fellow Gypsy Pierre "Baro" Ferret. As the group had no true percussion section, percussion was instead provided by the group's guitarists; the Quintette du Hot Club de France thus became one of the few well-known jazz ensembles composed only of string instruments.
Jean Sablon was the first singer to record with the Quintette, resulting in more than thirty collaborations from 1933 onwards. Vocalist Freddy Taylor participated on a few songs, such as "Georgia on My Mind" and "Nagasaki". A long line of recordings for Decca, HMV and Ultraphone ensured long-lasting international success for the Quintette.
As a composer, Reinhardt wrote several influential, highly original tunes recorded by the Quintette, ranging from the dulcet ballads "Daphne", "Nuages", and "Manoir de mes rêves", to mad swingers such as "Minor Swing" and the ode to his record label of the 1930s, "Stomping at Decca". With the passing of time, many of his songs became jazz standards in their own right.
Reinhardt also experimented with recordings outside the "comfort zone" of the Quintette; in March 1933 Reinhardt recorded two takes each of "Parce que je vous aime" and "Si, j'aime Suzy", vocal numbers with lots of guitar fills and great guitar support, using three guitarists along with an accordion lead, violin, and bass. In August of the following year, recordings were also made with more than one guitar (Joseph Reinhardt, Roger Chaput, and Django), including the first recording by the Quintette. In both years, it should be noted, the great majority of recordings featured a wide variety of horns, often in multiples, piano, etc.
Throughout his career, Reinhardt played and recorded with many American jazz legends such as Benny Carter, Coleman Hawkins, Rex Stewart (who later stayed in Paris), and a led a jam-session and radio performance with Louis Armstrong. Later in his career, he performed with Dizzy Gillespie in France.
The outbreak of war in 1939 broke up the Quintette, with Grappelli remaining in London where the group was playing and Reinhardt returning to France. During the war years he led a big band, another quintet with clarinettist Hubert Rostaing in place of Grappelli, and after the liberation of Paris, recorded with such visiting American jazz artists as Mel Powell, Peanuts Hucko, and Ray McKinley. In 1946, Reinhardt took up the electric guitar and toured America as a soloist with the Duke Ellington Band, but his appearances were poorly received.
Some of his recordings on electric guitar late in his life are bop escapades where his playing sounds frantic and jagged, a world apart from the jubilant swing of old. However, starting in January 1946, Reinhardt and Grappelli held several sporadic reunions where the bop influences were more subtly integrated into the old swing format of the glory days of the Quintette. In the 1950s, Reinhardt became more reclusive, remaining in Europe, playing and recording sporadically until his death from a stroke on 16 May 1953 in Fontainebleau, France.
Georgia on My Mind
Django Reinhardt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A short time later they all watched in awe and all of a sudden I'm here
She was also my father so I hardly got to see her
I was afraid of the dark, but it was only 'cause I was a believer
I was told when I was two years old
She swore that I would be special
I took a good look around and thought
Georgia, you'll always be home to me
Georgia, I belong to you and yes you belong to me
When they ask me where I'm from
I'm proud to say that I'm your son
I'm movin' on using mostly dirt roads until I find my way
Campbellton Road, can't forget Cascade or remember both MLK
There's somethin' about Atlanta, doesn't cease to amaze me
Oh, after all you even raised the people that raised me
And my old man is very dead, can't be mad now why bother?
And you have been my mother nature also my godfather
Georgia, you'll always be home to me
Georgia, I belong to you and yes you belong to me
When they ask me where I'm from
I'm proud to say that I'm your son
Georgia, you'll always be home to me
Georgia, I belong to you and yes you belong to me
When they ask me where I'm from
I'm proud to say that I'm your son
The song "Georgia On My Mind" is a tribute to the state of Georgia in the United States, and the feeling of nostalgia and belonging that it holds for the singer. The opening lines of the song suggest that the singer's existence began as his mother's idea, and that he was born into a complicated family situation, with his mother also being his father. Despite this, the singer expresses a strong attachment to Georgia and the people and places that he associates with the state.
The lyrics also touch on the singer's journey through life, noting that he has moved on from Georgia and navigated his way through the world using "mostly dirt roads". Despite the challenges he has faced, the singer remains steadfast in his love for Georgia and his pride in being a son of the state. The repeated refrain of the song drives home this message, that Georgia will always be home to the singer, and that he belongs to the state just as much as it belongs to him.
Overall, "Georgia On My Mind" is a heartfelt tribute to a sense of place and community, and the way that they shape identity and belonging. The song's lyrics capture the complexity of family relationships and personal struggles, while also celebrating the unique beauty and character of the state of Georgia.
Line by Line Meaning
Back down memory lane, I began as my mother's bright idea
Reflecting on my past, I started out as my mother's well-thought-out plan
A short time later they all watched in awe and all of a sudden I'm here
Soon after, everyone witnessed my talent and suddenly I became well-known
She was also my father so I hardly got to see her
My mother also played the role of my father so I didn't get to spend much time with her
I was afraid of the dark, but it was only 'cause I was a believer
Although I was scared of the dark, it was mainly due to my beliefs
I was told when I was two years old
From a very young age of two, I was made aware
She swore that I would be special
My mother promised that I would be exceptional
I took a good look around and thought
After observing my surroundings, I realized
Don't worry mama this city's gonna help ya
Don't worry, mother, this city will aid me in my journey
Georgia, you'll always be home to me
Georgia, you will forever be my home
Georgia, I belong to you and yes you belong to me
Georgia, you and I have an unbreakable bond
When they ask me where I'm from
When people inquire about my origins
I'm proud to say that I'm your son
I have immense pride in saying that I am your son
I'm movin' on using mostly dirt roads until I find my way
I am forging my path using rugged roads until I reach my destination
Campbellton Road, can't forget Cascade or remember both MLK
I cannot leave out Campbellton Road and Cascade, or even the memory of MLK
There's somethin' about Atlanta, doesn't cease to amaze me
There is something about Atlanta that always leaves me in awe
Oh, after all you even raised the people that raised me
You even played a part in raising the people who raised me
And my old man is very dead, can't be mad now why bother?
My father has passed away and there's no reason to hold any resentment
And you have been my mother nature also my godfather
You have not only been my mother, but also my godfather
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., BMG Rights Management
Written by: David Guy, Homer Steinweiss, Leon Michels, Nick Movshon, Thomas Brenneck, Thomas Callaway
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kenjones2706
Having grown up in Georgia, I've heard countless versions of this song. As far as I'm concerned, no one has ever recorded a better version than this one by the Quintet of the Hot Club of France.
@theyapsta
It's pure magic!
@michaelfoley3777
Truly the undisputed king of the guitar
@ritchyjeanr8284
Magnifique
@AxlPoner
1936. That guy sparked a whole new freedom around guitar and folk
@jeannieves6275
Incredible Musician 🏅🎼❤️
@somekindofgnome8477
If you're wondering who's singing, it's Freddy Taylor.
He's mentioned in the description but, to be honest, I glanced over it too.
@mikehiers
Stephane is the focus and finisher of this song. Last solo. Manifique
@alandesouzacruz5124
Magnífique chanson
@seoirsecaffrey8977
Fantastic just LOVE ❤💚❤💚❤