Don Bestor was one of the grand veteran bandleaders fronting one of the hottest swing bands of the 1920's, -The Benson Orchestra of Chicago.
After learning piano at the age of sixteen, he toured the vaudeville circuit. He formed an early dance band in 1921 before working with the Benson band. By the mid 1920's he took over as leader and signed the band with Victor Records. Among the Benson recordings under Bestor's direction were, "Copenhagen," and "In A Covered Wagon With You." He resumed his own band by 1933 and recorded with Brunswick throughout much of the 1930's. The band had such success on record that he was often asked to perform on radio. His radio career was relatively short, but extremely significant. The Don Bestor Orchestra was featured on the Walter O'Keefe Show while at the same time working for the brand new program staring a comedian named Jack Benny. The Benny program began in 1934 and soon became a national craze. Bestor was often asked by Benny to, "Play, Don, Play!"By the late 1930's his fame had waned, however, he continued to tour the band until 1943. Besides his role on the Benny show, the band is remembered for a few important recordings, including, "Animal Crackers In My Soup" from the Shirley Temple movie Curly Top in 1935 and the number one hit song in March 1933, "Forty-Second Street."
Forty-Second Street
Don Bestor & His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On the avenue I'm taking you to
Forty-Second Street
Hear the beat of dancing feet
It's the song I love the melody of
Forty-Second Street
Little nifties from the fifties, innocent and sweet
They're side by side, they're glorified
Where the underworld can meet the elite
Forty-Second Street
Come and meet those dancing feet
On the avenue I'm taking you to
Forty-Second Street
Hear the beat of dancing feet
It's the song I love the melody of
Forty-Second Street
Little nifties from the fifties, innocent and sweet
Sexy ladies from the eighties, who are indiscreet
They're side by side, they're glorified
Where the underworld can meet the elite
Naughty, bawdy, gawdy, sporty,
Forty-Second Street
The lyrics to Don Bestor's song Forty-Second Street introduce us to a bustling avenue in New York City where one can "meet those dancing feet." The song's melody is beloved by the singer, who proceeds to describe the various types of people that can be found on Forty-Second Street. The first category is "little nifties from the fifties," who are "innocent and sweet." The next group consists of "sexy ladies from the eighties," who are "indiscreet." These two groups are side by side and glorified on Forty-Second Street, where the underworld can meet the elite. The song concludes with a description of the street as "naughty, bawdy, gawdy, sporty."
Line by Line Meaning
Come and meet those dancing feet
Join me and witness the lively and rhythmic movement of the performers
On the avenue I'm taking you to
We're headed towards the location where the dance is being performed
Forty-Second Street
We've arrived at our destination, which is the famous street known for its entertainment industry
Hear the beat of dancing feet
Listen to the synchronized and rhythmic footsteps of the performers
It's the song I love the melody of
I'm mesmerized by the tune of this song
Little nifties from the fifties, innocent and sweet
Young and charming performers from the 1950s era who have a pure and virtuous character
Sexy ladies from the eighties, who are indiscreet
Alluring and seductive female performers from the 1980s, who are not shy about expressing their sexuality
They're side by side, they're glorified
Performers from different eras and backgrounds are accorded equal respect and adulation
Where the underworld can meet the elite
A place where people from different socio-economic backgrounds can come together to enjoy entertainment
Naughty, bawdy, gawdy, sporty,
An array of performers with different styles, some of which may be risqué, ostentatious or athletic
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Al Dubin, Harry Warren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nottavictim5
OutStanding!!!
@james-flynn1938
Very different to the Australian recording of this