In 1928 (on his 25th birthday) Hines began leading his own big band. For over 10 years his was "The Band" in Al Capone's Grand Terrace Cafe — Hines was Capone's "Mr Piano Man". Hines recorded for Victor in 1929, then after a gap for Brunswick from 1932-1934, Decca from 1934-1935, then after another gap, Vocalion from 1937-1938 and Bluebird from 1939-1942 (nearly all among the best Black Jazz of the era). From the Grand Terrace, The Earl Hines Orchestra (or "Organization" as he more happily referred to it) broadcast on "open mikes", sometimes five nights a week and over many years, coast to coast across America — Chicago being well placed to deal with the U.S. live-broadcasting time-zone problem. Hines's band became the most broadcast band in America. Sometimes Nat "King" Cole was Hines's relief pianist (though Cliff Smalls was his favorite) and it was here with Hines that Charlie Parker got his first professional job...until he was fired for his time-keeping — by which Hines meant Parker's inability to show up on time despite Parker resorting to sleeping under the Grand Terrace stage in his attempts to do so. Hines led his big band until 1947, taking time out to front the Duke Ellington orchestra in 1944 while Duke was ill...but the big-band era was over. (Thirty years later, Hines's 20 solo "transformative versions" of his "Earl Hines Plays Duke Ellington" recorded in the 1970s were described by Ben Ratliff in the "New York Times" as "as good an example of the jazz process as anything out there".)
At the start of 1949 Hines rejoined Armstrong in the latter's "All Stars" "small band", where Hines stayed through 1951. He then led his own small combo around the States and Europe. At the start of the jazz-lean 1960s he settled in Oakland, California, opened a tobacconist's, and came close to giving up the profession. Then, in 1964 Hines was "suddenly rediscovered" following a series of concerts in New York. He was the 1965 "Critics' Choice" for Down Beat Magazine's "Hall of Fame". From then till he died he recorded endlessly both solo and with jazz notables like Cat Anderson, Buck Clayton, Roy Eldridge, Ella Fitzgerald, Paul Gonsalves, Sonny Greer, Lionel Hampton, Coleman Hawkins, Johnny Hodges, Budd Johnson, Jimmy Rushing, Stuff Smith, Sarah Vaughan, Joe Venuti and Ben Webster. Possibly more surprising were Elvin Jones, Peggy Lee, Charles Mingus, Dinah Washington — and Ry Cooder. But his most acclaimed recordings of this period were his dazzling and endlessly inventive solo performances, which could show him at his very best, "a whole orchestra by himself".[12] Solo tributes to Louis Armstrong, Hoagy Carmichael, Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, and George Gershwin were all put on record in the 1970s. Hines also toured Europe again regularly at this time, and added Asia, Australia and the Soviet Union to his list of State Department–funded destinations. At the top of his form, Hines also displayed his endearing quirks (not to say grunts) in these performances. Sometimes he sang as he played, especially his own "They Never Believed I Could Do It - Neither Did I". In 1975 he made an hour-long "solo" film for British TV out-of-hours in a Washington nightclub: the "New York Herald Tribune" described it as "The greatest jazz-film ever made". He played solo in The White House and played solo for the Pope — and played (and sang) his last job a few days before he died in Oakland, quite likely somewhat older than he had always maintained.
Black in Blue
Earl Hines Lyrics
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Pains in my head, feel like old Ned
What did I do to be so black and blue?
No joys for me, no company
Even the mouse ran from my house
All my life through I've been so black and blue
Cause I can't hide what is on my face
I'm so forlorn. Life's just a thorn
My heart is torn. Why was I born?
What did I do to be so black and blue?
I'm hurt inside, but that don't help my case
Cause I can't hide what is on my face
How will it end? Ain't got a friend
My only sin is in my skin
What did I do to be so black and blue?
Tell me, what did I do?
What did I do? What did I do?
What did I do? What did I do?
What did I do? What did I do?
What did I do? Tell me, what did I do to be so black and blue?
What did I do to be so black and blue?
The lyrics of Earl Hines's song "Black and Blue" express the experience of a Black person in America who is discriminated against and oppressed because of the color of their skin. The opening lines describe a lonely and uncomfortable existence with a cold, empty bed and aching pains. The repetition of the phrase "what did I do" implies that the singer is baffled as to why they are treated this way. They do not understand why they are "so black and blue" and cannot find joy or companionship in their life.
The second verse highlights the isolating effects of discrimination, with even vermin avoiding the singer's home. The line "I'm white inside, but that don't help my case" speaks to the internal struggle of many Black people who feel like they are just like everyone else on the inside but are treated differently because of their skin color. The chorus is repeated again, followed by a verse that expresses a deep sense of despair and hopelessness. The lines "How will it end? Ain't got a friend/My only sin is in my skin" show how the singer feels utterly alone and helpless because of a factor they had no control over - their race.
Line by Line Meaning
Cold empty bed, springs hard as lead
My bed is cold and empty, with hard, uncomfortable springs.
Pains in my head, feel like old Ned
I am experiencing painful headaches and feel exhausted.
What did I do to be so black and blue?
I am feeling hopeless and wondering why I am experiencing so much suffering.
No joys for me, no company
I have no happiness or companionship in my life.
Even the mouse ran from my house
I am so alone that even a mouse won't stay in my home.
All my life through I've been so black and blue
I have experienced constant struggle and hardship throughout my life.
I'm white inside, but that don't help my case
Even though I have a good heart, it doesn't make a difference because of my outward appearance.
Cause I can't hide what is on my face
I am unable to conceal the fact that I am black.
I'm so forlorn. Life's just a thorn
I am feeling lost and hopeless, and life seems like a painful burden.
My heart is torn. Why was I born?
I am feeling deep emotional pain and questioning the purpose of my existence.
I'm hurt inside, but that don't help my case
My inner pain and struggles do not change how I am viewed by society.
How will it end? Ain't got a friend
I am uncertain about the future and have no one to rely on for support.
My only sin is in my skin
I am being discriminated against solely because of my race.
What did I do? Tell me, what did I do to be so black and blue?
I am pleading for answers, wondering why I am being treated this way because of the color of my skin.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: HARRY BROOKS, ANDY RAZAF, FATS WALLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind