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.
On the Sunny Side of the Street
Earl Hines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I had nothing but shadows
Then one morning you passed
And I brightened at last
Now I greet the day and complete the day
With the sun in my heart
All my worry blew away
When you taught me how to say
Grab your coat and get your hat
Leave your worry on the doorstep
Just direct your feet
To the sunny side of the street
Can't you hear a pitter-pat?
And that happy tune is your step
Life can be so sweet
On the sunny side of the street
I used to walk in the shade
With those blues on parade
But I'm not afraid
This Rover crossed over
If I never have a cent
I'd be rich as Rockefeller
Gold dust at my feet
On the sunny side of the street
Grab your street
Earl Hines's "On the Sunny Side of the Street" is a song about finding joy and positivity in life after a period of darkness and loneliness. The lyrics describe the singer's past experiences of walking with no one and having nothing but shadows. However, their life is transformed when they meet someone who brightens their days and shows them how to enjoy life. The chorus encourages listeners to leave their worries behind and follow the happy tune to the sunny side of the street, where life can be sweet.
The lyrics use a clear metaphor of light versus darkness to represent the singer's changing mood. The image of shadows is a common representation of sadness and loneliness, while the sun represents happiness and positivity. The contrast between these two images makes the message of the song more powerful, as it shows just how much the singer's life has improved. Furthermore, the chorus's call to "grab your coat and get your hat" adds a sense of urgency and excitement to the song, encouraging listeners to take action and seek out positivity in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Walked with no one and talked with no one
I was lonely and had no one to talk to.
And I had nothing but shadows
My life was empty and dark.
Then one morning you passed
You entered my life.
And I brightened at last
My life became brighter.
Now I greet the day and complete the day
Every day is fulfilling.
With the sun in my heart
I am happy and content.
All my worry blew away
I am free from worries.
When you taught me how to say
You showed me the way.
Grab your coat and get your hat
Let's go outside.
Leave your worry on the doorstep
Leave your worries behind.
Just direct your feet
Come this way.
To the sunny side of the street
Where things are cheerful and bright.
Can't you hear a pitter-pat?
Listen to the sound of happiness.
And that happy tune is your step
You are walking with joy in your heart.
Life can be so sweet
Life is wonderful.
On the sunny side of the street
When you are positive and optimistic.
I used to walk in the shade
I used to be gloomy.
With those blues on parade
Feeling sad all the time.
But I'm not afraid
Not scared anymore.
This Rover crossed over
I transitioned to a happier place.
If I never have a cent
Even if I have no money.
I'd be rich as Rockefeller
I would still feel wealthy.
Gold dust at my feet
My life is abundant.
On the sunny side of the street
Because I have a positive outlook.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind