Bostic was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He turned professional at age 18 when he joined Terrence Holder's band. He made his first recording with Lionel Hampton in 1942 where he played along with Red Allen, J.C. Higginbotham, Sid Catlett, Teddy Wilson and Hampton. Before that he performed with Fate Marable on New Orleans riverboats. Bostic graduated from Xavier University in New Orleans. He worked with territory bands as well as Arnett Cobb, Hot Lips Page, Rex Stewart, Don Byas, Charlie Christian, Thelonious Monk and other jazz luminaries. He formed his own band in 1945, and turned to rhythm and blues in the late 1940s. His biggest hits were "Temptation," "Sleep," "Flamingo," "You Go to My Head" and "Cherokee." At various times his band included Jaki Byard, John Coltrane, Benny Golson, Blue Mitchell, Stanley Turrentine, Tommy Turrentine, Keter Betts, Sir Charles Thompson, Teddy Edwards, Tony Scott, Benny Carter and other musicians who rose to prominence in jazz. Bostic held his musicians to a high standard and demanded that they read music faultlessly. He was influenced by the great Sidney Bechet. John Coltrane in turn was influenced by Earl Bostic. James Moody said that Bostic was the chief influence on John Coltrane. Moody mentioned that "Bostic knew his instrument inside out, back to front and upside down."
His virtuosity is documented in records such as Up There In Orbit, Earl's Imagination, Apollo Theater Jump, All On, Artistry by Bostic, Telestar Drive, Liza, Lady Be Good and Tiger Rag. Bostic was a master of the blues and he used this skill in a variety of musical settings. Although Bostic recorded many commercial albums, some notable jazz based exceptions on the King label include Bostic Rocks Hits of the Swing Age, Jazz As I Feel It and A New Sound.
Bostic's King album titled Jazz As I Feel It featured Shelly Manne on drums, Joe Pass on guitar and Groove Holmes on organ. Bostic recorded the King Album "A New Sound" about one month later again, featuring Holmes and Pass. These recordings allowed Bostic to stretch out beyond the 3 minute limit imposed by the 45 RPM format. Bostic was pleased with the sessions which highlight his total mastery of the blues but they also foreshadowed musical advances that were later evident in the work of John Coltrane and Eric Dolphy.
He wrote arrangements for Paul Whiteman, Louis Prima, Lionel Hampton, Gene Krupa, Artie Shaw, Jack Teagarden and Alvino Rey.
Bostic's signature hit, "Flamingo" was recorded in 1951 and remains a favorite among followers of Carolina Beach Music in South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. Their style of Beach Music is heavily influenced by Rhythm-and-Blues music from the 40's, 50's and 60's. Bostic recorded for Cincinnati-based King Records, a small label that was well known for releasing "R and B" and Bluegrass records. In fact, the biggest star on the King label was "the Godfather of Soul", James Brown. Bostic was also popular among R&B and jazz followers in the United Kingdom, thanks to his records that were released on the Parlophone label.
Bostic died from a heart attack in Rochester, New York, while performing with his band in 1965. His widow, Hildegarde, was still living in San Francisco as of the mid-1990s.
Lady Be Good
Earl Bostic Lyrics
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It's terribly sad but true,
All dressed up, no place to go
Each evening I'm awfully blue.
I must win some handsome guy
Can't go on like this,
I could blossom out I know,
Oh, sweet and lovely lady, be good
Oh, lady, be good to me
I am so awfully misunderstood
So lady, be good to me
Oh, please have some pity
I'm all-alone in this big city
I tell you I'm just a lonesome babe in the wood,
So lady be good to me.
Oh, please have some pity
I'm all alone in this big city
I tell you I'm just a lonesome babe in the wood,
So lady be good to me.
Oh lady be good to me.
The lyrics of Earl Bostic's Lady Be Good tells the story of a sad, lonely person who is looking for love and someone to lift them out of their mundane life. The singer is all dressed up but has nowhere to go and is constantly feeling blue. They long for a handsome person to come into their life and help them turn their life around. The plea for love and attention is amplified by the repeated refrain "lady be good to me". The singer is hoping that someone kind-hearted and empathetic comes into their life and brings them the love and care that they so desperately need.
The mood of the song is both melancholic and hopeful, capturing the feeling of longing for something better. It speaks to the universal human desire for love, connection, and companionship. The song was written by George and Ira Gershwin, and originally performed on Broadway in 1924. Through Earl Bostic’s jazzy interpretation, this song has become a much-loved classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Listen to my tale of woe,
Please hear my story of sadness and despair.
It's terribly sad but true,
Unfortunately, it is a heartbreaking reality.
All dressed up, no place to go
Despite being stylishly dressed, I have nowhere to be.
Each evening I'm awfully blue.
Every night, I am deeply melancholic.
I must win some handsome guy
I need to find a charming gentleman.
Can't go on like this,
I cannot continue to feel this way.
I could blossom out I know,
I believe I could flourish.
With somebody just like you. So
That can happen if I had somebody as wonderful as you.
Oh, sweet and lovely lady, be good
Dear lady, please be kind and compassionate.
Oh, lady, be good to me
Kindly treat me with affection.
I am so awfully misunderstood
People do not seem to understand me.
So lady, be good to me
That's why I need your kindness.
Oh, please have some pity
I plead with you to empathize with my situation.
I'm all-alone in this big city
I am lonely and isolated in this urban area.
I tell you I'm just a lonesome babe in the wood,
I confess, I am a helpless and vulnerable girl.
So lady be good to me.
I implore you to be good to me.
Oh lady be good to me.
Once again, I request your kindness.
Writer(s): Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin
Contributed by Grayson K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.