Erskine Ramsay Hawkins was named after Alabama industrialist Erskine Ramsay who was rewarding parents with savings accounts for them for doing so.
Hawkins attended Councill Elementary School and Industrial High School (now known as Parker High School) in Birmingham, Alabama. At Industrial High School, he played in the band directed by Fess Whatley, a teacher who trained numerous African-American musicians, many of whom populated the bands of famed band leaders such as Duke Ellington, Lucky Millinder, Louis Armstrong and Skitch Henderson (of the NBC Orchestra.)
Hawkins was trumpeter and band leader in the lobby bar and show nightclub at The Concord Resort Hotel in Kiamesha Lake, New York. from 1967 to 1993 with his last performing group Joe Vitale piano, Dudly Watson bass, Sonny Rossi vocals & clarinet, and George Leary drums . Hawkins died in Willingboro, New Jersey in November 1993, after a brief visit with his sister in Alabama before he was able to return to resume playing with his band at the Concord at the age of 79. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, alongside his sister, in Birmingham, Alabama.
In 1978, Erskine Hawkins became one of the first five artists inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. In 1989, he was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Hawkins was a contemporary of another Birmingham jazz musician, Sun Ra. The story of the Hawkins legacy continues to be told today, during tours of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame Museum, by Ray Reach (Director of Student Jazz Programs) and Frank Adams, (Director of Education, Emeritus) at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.
Because of You
Erskine Hawkins And His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Because of you my romance had its start
Because of you the sun will shine
The moon and stars will say you're mine
Forever and never to part
I only live for your love and your kiss
It's paradise to be near you like this
And I can smile
Because of you
I only live for your love and your kiss
It's paradise to be near you like this
Because of you my life is now worth while
And I can smile
Because of you
The lyrics to Erskine Hawkins And His Orchestra's song "Because of You" express deep gratitude and love towards a person who has brought happiness and joy to the singer's life. The song begins by saying that there is a song in the singer's heart because of this person, indicating that their presence has filled the singer with a sense of happiness and contentment. As the lyrics continue, it becomes apparent that this person has not only provided the singer with a newfound sense of joy but has also sparked the beginning of a romantic relationship.
The lyrics "Because of you my romance had its start" showcase how this person has not only brought happiness but has also created a new chapter in the singer's life. The lyrics also indicate that this person has become the center of the singer's world, as the singer states, "I only live for your love and your kiss." This line represents the deep love that the singer has for this person and how they are willing to dedicate their entire life to their love. The singer expresses that their life is now worth living and they can smile because of this person's presence in their life.
Overall, the lyrics of "Because of You" express the feelings of love, happiness, and gratitude that someone can feel when they find someone special to share their life with. The song beautifully showcases how one person can change someone's life completely and make them feel like they are living in paradise.
Line by Line Meaning
Because of you there's a song in my heart
Thanks to you, my heart is filled with joy and I am inspired to express my emotions through music
Because of you my romance had its start
You are the reason for the beginning of my romantic journey
Because of you the sun will shine
Your presence brings light and warmth to my life
The moon and stars will say you're mine
The celestial bodies above acknowledge that we belong to each other
Forever and never to part
We will be together for eternity and will never be separated
I only live for your love and your kiss
My existence revolves around the affection and intimacy that I share with you
It's paradise to be near you like this
Being close to you like this is the ultimate paradise for me
Because of you my life is now worth while
You have given my life purpose and meaning
And I can smile
Because of you, I am able to smile and find happiness in every moment
Because of you
All of these wonderful things are possible because of you, my dear
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Arthur Hammerstein, Dudley Wilkinson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind