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.
If I Had You
Earl Hines Lyrics
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I could be glad all of the while
I could change the grey skies to blues
If I had you
I could leave the old days behind
Leave all my pals, I'd never mind
I could start my life all a new
If I had you
Sail the mighty ocean wide
I could cross the burning desert
If I had you by my side
I could be a king, dear, uncrowned
Humble or poor, rich or renowned
There is nothing I couldn't do
If I had you
I could show the world how to smile
I could be glad all of the while
I could change the grey skies to blues
If I had you
I could leave the old days behind
Leave all my pals, I'd never mind
I could start my life all a new
If I had you
I could climb the snow capped mountains
Sail the mighty ocean wide
I could cross the burning desert
If I had you by my side
I could be a king, dear, uncrowned
Humble or poor, rich or renowned
There is nothing I couldn't do
"If I Had You" is a love song about how having the right person by your side can bring happiness and change your life for the better. The lyrics suggest that the singer would be able to do anything and everything they desire with their partner. The song highlights the idea that when you find the right person, anything becomes possible.
Throughout the lyrics, the singer explains what they would be able to do if they had their loved one by their side. They suggest that they would be able to conquer the world, climb mountains, sail oceans, cross deserts, and attain anything they could possibly want. The song implies that having someone special in your life can provide strength, inspiration, and motivation to pursue your desires and dreams.
The song also touches on the idea of leaving behind old ways and starting life anew. The singer states that they would leave their old pals, suggesting that they would be willing to make sacrifices for the sake of love. The lyrics suggest that having the right person in your life can change your perspective, resulting in growth and transformation as a person. Overall, the song emphasizes the importance of love and how it can transform one's life for the better.
Line by Line Meaning
I could show the world how to smile
I have the power to spread joy and positivity to those around me
I could be glad all of the while
I am capable of maintaining a state of happiness and contentment
I could change the grey skies to blues
I possess the ability to turn negative situations into positive ones
If I had you
All of these things are possible if I had your love and companionship
I could leave the old days behind
With you by my side, I am able to move on from past hardships and start anew
Leave all my pals, I'd never mind
I am willing to sacrifice my current social life if it means being with the one I love
I could start my life all a new
With your love and support, I am able to begin a fresh chapter in my life
I could climb the snow capped mountains
Together, we can conquer any obstacle, no matter how daunting or challenging
Sail the mighty ocean wide
We are capable of exploring new adventures and discovering the wonders of the world together
I could cross the burning desert
Even through the toughest adversity, we can face it head-on and persevere with each other's love
If I had you by my side
All of these possibilities and experiences are only achievable if I had your love and partnership
I could be a king, dear, uncrowned
With your love and support, I have the potential to achieve great things and live a fulfilling life
Humble or poor, rich or renowned
No matter our social or economic status, our love and bond with each other will remain true and strong
There is nothing I couldn't do
With you by my side, there is no obstacle or challenge that we cannot overcome together
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: GORDON MILLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind