Louis Armstrong (1901 - 1971) was a trumpet player, singer, and bandleader, and is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists in the history of jazz.
Air Mail Special
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Traveling south so wide and high
Sailing through the wide blue yonder
It's that air mail special on the fly
Listen to the motors humming
She is streaking through the sky
Like a bird that's flying homeward
Over plains and high dark mountains
Over rivers deep and wide
Carrying mail to California
It's that air mail special on the fly
Watch her circle for the landing
Hear her moan and cough and sigh
Now she's coming down the runway
It's that air mail special on the fly
Ella Fitzgerald's "Air Mail Special" is a song about a plane carrying mail and the excitement and thrill of air travel. The lyrics evoke images of flying through the sky, with the plane sailing through the wide blue yonder and streaking like a bird flying homeward. The use of personification and onomatopoeia adds to the energy and excitement of the song, with the motors humming and the plane moaning, coughing, and sighing as it lands.
The song captures the sense of adventure and progress that was associated with air travel in the mid-20th century. The lyrics mention the plane traveling from New York to California, over plains, dark mountains, and deep rivers. The air mail service played an important role in the development of commercial aviation, as it was one of the first regular services to carry passengers and cargo.
Overall, "Air Mail Special" is a celebration of the marvels of modern technology and the thrill of travel. The song captures a particular moment in history and evokes a sense of wonder and excitement that still resonates today.
Line by Line Meaning
Left New York this morning early
The Air Mail Special departed from New York City in the morning.
Traveling south so wide and high
The Air Mail Special was traveling in a southern direction, flying at a high altitude.
Sailing through the wide blue yonder
The Air Mail Special was flying through the vast, open skies.
It's that air mail special on the fly
Ella Fitzgerald is drawing attention to the presence and movement of the Air Mail Special.
Listen to the motors humming
The sound of the motors propelling the Air Mail Special can be heard.
She is streaking through the sky
The Air Mail Special is moving rapidly through the air.
Like a bird that's flying homeward
Ella Fitzgerald is comparing the motion of the Air Mail Special to that of a bird flying towards its nest or habitat.
It's that air mail special on the fly
Ella Fitzgerald is reiterating the presence and movement of the Air Mail Special.
Over plains and high dark mountains
The Air Mail Special was traversing flat, grassy areas and tall, shadowy peaks.
Over rivers deep and wide
The Air Mail Special was flying over large, profound bodies of water.
Carrying mail to California
The Air Mail Special's purpose was to transport mail to the state of California.
It's that air mail special on the fly
Ella Fitzgerald is again emphasizing the movement of the Air Mail Special.
Watch her circle for the landing
The Air Mail Special is performing circular movements in preparation for landing.
Hear her moan and cough and sigh
The sounds of the Air Mail Special's descent can be heard, including the noises of the engine.
Now she's coming down the runway
The Air Mail Special is landing on the runway.
It's that air mail special on the fly
Ella Fitzgerald's final repetition of the phrase calling attention to the Air Mail Special's movement.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BENNY GOODMAN, CHARLES CHRISTIAN, JIMMY MUNDY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
landervast
sound like:
dey oh dey oh did your life in a wonderful home
mama looked at boo boo dey
shut your mouth go away
mama look at boo boo dah
hush your mouth go away
when the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie..... that's amore
reference to two diferent songs: - Harry Belafonte - Mama Look A Boo Boo, and - Dean Martin - That's Amore
Street View
Wow.......did she even catch a single breath while singing this??? This is amazing!
Jonas Clark
Best scat song EVER. Hands down.
Грязный Гриб
Scatman John aint got shit on this
Ernest Turner
Don't sell the youth short. If she or someone did this on the 8 mile open mic, there would be standing ovations and a new rap champ.
O M
You right
fridgemagnet
+Ernest Turner well said!
DMC2 Audio
You'll be pleased to know this track is still alive and well - I DJ a swing and jive bar in the UK and this is one of my staples and still gets people on the floor!
But here's a question - what are all the tracks she references?! I'd love to get my hands on some of those to add to the collection :)
Sam B.
@TheGerkuman oMG YESSSS
Sam B.
@DMC2 Audio
I just heard Move by Miles Davis from his 1957 album Birth of Cool and now I am verifying if it was indeed referenced in this song
TheGerkuman
Also the Hawaiian War Chant