Duke Ellington and his Orchestra is perhaps the greatest of all Jazz bands.… Read Full Bio ↴Duke Ellington and his Orchestra is perhaps the greatest of all Jazz bands. The group stayed together for over fifty years and recorded and wrote some of America's greatest music. The band started in New York City under name of the Washingtonians in 1923, they then briefly became known as Duke Ellington and his Kentucky Club Orchestra, then as Duke Ellington and his Cotton Club Orchestra from 1927 to 1930. It was through weekly radio broadcasts from the Cotton Club that the orchestra gained nationwide exposure and became famous. After 1931 the band was billed as Duke Ellington and his Orchestra.

Cotton Tail
Duke Ellington & His Orchestra Lyrics

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Come on, wail
Wail, cotton tail
Benny Webster, come on and blow for me

That's cotton tail

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Duke Ellington's song "Cotton tail" are an invitation to swing and dance. The phrase "come on, wail" is a rallying call for the musicians to improvise and play their heart out. "Wail, cotton tail" is a reference to the catchy melody played by the saxophones that invites everyone to move their feet. The song was named after a venue in Harlem, the Cotton Club, where Ellington and his band played to enthusiastic crowds in the 1920s and 30s.

The second line of the song, "Benny Webster, come on and blow for me," is a shoutout to jazz saxophonist Ben Webster, who was a member of Ellington's band at the time. It is a nod to his skill and talent as a musician and an acknowledgement of his contribution to the song's iconic sound.

Overall, the lyrics of "Cotton tail" capture the spirit of the vibrant jazz scene of the time, where swing music was king and improvisation was the name of the game. It's a celebration of the joy and energy of live music making and the power of a good beat to get people moving.

Line by Line Meaning

Come on, wail
Let's get started and play some lively music

Wail, cotton tail
A call to the saxophonist to play a solo and improvise on the music, expressing themselves through the instrument

Benny Webster, come on and blow for me
Asking Benny Webster, a famous jazz saxophonist, to play a solo and showcase his skills on the saxophone, adding his own unique style to the song

That's cotton tail
Referring to the song itself, which is named after the Cotton Tail rabbit, and indicating that this is the moment to play the music and let the creativity flow

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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