Gene Krupa (January 15, 1909 – October 16, 1973) was a famous and influenti… Read Full Bio ↴Gene Krupa (January 15, 1909 – October 16, 1973) was a famous and influential American jazz and big band drummer, known for his highly energetic and flamboyant style.

Many consider Krupa to be one of the most influential drummers of the 20th century, particularly regarding the development of the drum kit. Many jazz historians believe he made history in 1927 as the first kit drummer ever to record using a bass drum pedal. His drum method was published in 1938 and immediately became the standard text. He is also credited with inventing the rim shot on the snare drum. Rhythm, the UK's best selling drum magazine voted Gene Krupa the third most influential drummer ever, in a poll conducted for its February 2009 issue. Voters included over 50 top-name drummers

Krupa was born Eugene Bertram Krupa to Polish parents in Chicago, Illinois. He began playing professionally in the mid 1920s with bands in Wisconsin. He broke into the Chicago scene in 1927, when he was picked by MCA to become a member of "Thelma Terry and Her Playboys", the first notable American Jazz band (outside of all-girl bands) to be led by a female musician. The Playboys were the house band at The Golden Pumpkin nightclub in Chicago and also toured extensively throughout the eastern and central United States.

Krupa made his first recordings in 1927, with a band under the leadership of banjoist Eddie Condon and "fixer" (and sometime singer, who did not appear on the records), Red McKenzie: along with other recordings beginning in 1924 by musicians known in the "Chicago" scene such as Bix Beiderbecke, these sides are examples of white "Chicago Style" jazz. The numbers recorded at that session were: 'China Boy', 'Sugar', 'Nobody's Sweetheart' and 'Liza'. The McKenzie - Condon sides are also notable for being the first records to feature a full drum kit.

In 1929 he moved to New York City and worked with the band of Red Nichols. In 1934 he joined Benny Goodman's band, where his featured drum work — especially on the hit "Sing, Sing, Sing" — made him a national celebrity. In 1938, after a public fight with Goodman at the Earl Theater in Philadelphia, he left Goodman to launch his own band and had several hits with singer Anita O'Day and trumpeter Roy Eldridge. Krupa made a memorable cameo appearance in the 1941 film Ball of Fire, in which he and his band performed an extended version of the hit Drum Boogie.

Don't Be That Way
Gene Krupa Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Don't cry, Oh honey please don't be that way
Clouds in the sky should never make you feel that way
The rain will bring the violets of May, tears are in vain
So honey, please don't be that way.
As long as we see it through,
You'll have me, I'll have you.
Sweetheart, tomorrow is another day,
Don't break my heart,

Oh honey, please don't be that way.

Overall Meaning

The song "Don't Be That Way" by Gene Krupa is a comforting love song about not letting sadness take over. It starts with the singer addressing their loved one, telling them not to cry and not to let the clouds in the sky bring them down. The message is that crying is in vain and that they will see it through together. The rain may bring the violets of May, which is a metaphor for the beauty that can come out of difficult times. The chorus is a plea to not let the sadness turn into anger that could break their hearts. The song acknowledges that tomorrow is another day, and their love will endure.

Line by Line Meaning

Don't Cry, Oh honey please don't be that way
Please don't be sad or upset, my darling, and stop your tears from falling.

Clouds in the sky should never make you feel that way
The presence of gloomy clouds should not bring sadness or misery to you.

The rain will bring the violets of May, tears are in vain
The rain that falls will soon bring about beautiful flowers in May, so there's no point in shedding tears.

So honey, please don't be that way
Please don't let your emotions overpower you and affect your mood.

As long as we see it through, You'll have me, I'll have you
As long as we persevere and work things out together, we will always have each other's support and love.

Sweetheart, tomorrow is another day
My dear, remember that we can always start anew tomorrow, and let go of any negative emotions or events from today.

Don't break my heart, Oh honey, please don't be that way
Please don't let your sadness or anger cause any harm to our relationship, as I care deeply for you.

Lyrics © REGENT MUSIC CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BENNY GOODMAN, EDGAR SAMPSON, MITCHELL PARISH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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