Auld was born in Toronto, but lived in the United States from the late 1920s onward, and was most noteworthy for his work with Bunny Berigan, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Erroll Garner, Dizzy Gillespie, Al Porcino, Billy Eckstine, Tiny Kahn, Frank Rosolino, and many others. Primarily a swing saxophonist, he did many big band stints in his career and led several big bands, including Georgie Auld and His Orchestra and Georgie Auld and His Hollywood All Stars. Georgie Auld also played some rock'n'roll working for Alan Freed in 1959.
In 1977 he played a bandleader in the box-office failure New York, New York and also acted as a technical consultant for the film.
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Georgie Auld Lyrics
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I may be wrong but I think you're swell
I like your style say, I think it's marvelous
I'm always wrong so how can I tell
Deuces to me are all aces
Life is to me just a bore
Faces are all open spaces You might be John Barrymore
You came along say I think you're wonderful
I think you're grand but I may be wrong
I may be wrong but I think you're wonderful
I may be wrong but I think you're swell
I like your style say, I really think it's marvelous
I'm always wrong so how can I tell
Deuces to me are all aces
Life is to me just a bore
Faces are all open spaces
You might be John Barrymore
You came along say I think you're wonderful
I think you're grand but I may be wrong
You said that Edison would never make that light
You laughed at Mr. Franklin with his key and kite
The point of the song is I'm always wrong
But with you baby I'm oh so right.
The lyrics of Georgie Auld's song "I may be wrong" depict a speaker who is seemingly unsure of themselves, yet they express their admiration for another person, as they believe them to be wonderful and swell. The singer acknowledges their tendency in always being wrong, which suggests some level of personal uncertainty or insecurities. In the first and second stanza, the singer describes how they think the person is marvelous and grand, but they cannot be entirely sure since they are always wrong. The lines "Deuces to me are all aces/Life is to me just a bore/Faces are all open spaces/You might be John Barrymore" are cryptic and seemingly disconnected, but it can be interpreted as the singer's perception of their environment - any good thing that could happen to them turns out disappointing, and what they see on the outside may not be what it appears to be.
However, the third and last stanza seem to be more significant to the song's message. The singer refers to historical figures, Edison and Franklin, who faced disbelief or ridicule in their lifetime for their inventions and theories. This reference may suggest that the singer relates to these figures because they feel similarly disregarded or misunderstood. Still, with the person they admire, the singer believes they are "oh so right," indicating that their relationship is the one thing they are sure of, and that it gives them some level of validation and confidence.
The song's message could be about how we may all have insecurities or self-doubt, but finding someone who makes us feel valued and confident can make all the difference. We may not always be right, but having that one person who believes in us can make everything else less important. Despite the song's light and playful lyrics, it carries a considerable impact on how important it is to have someone who supports and accepts us, even when we are unsure of ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
I may be wrong but I think you're wonderful
I am not sure if it's correct, but I believe that you are amazing.
I may be wrong but I think you're swell
Although I might be mistaken, I think you are fantastic.
I like your style say, I think it's marvelous
Your way of doing things is wonderful and impressive to me.
I'm always wrong so how can I tell
Since I am usually incorrect, I cannot make certain judgments.
Deuces to me are all aces
Things that are not of much value to others can be of high worth to me.
Life is to me just a bore
I find existence quite dull and uneventful.
Faces are all open spaces
I see people as being open and honest with themselves.
You might be John Barrymore
You could be someone famous and successful like John Barrymore.
You came along say I think you're wonderful
Since you arrived in my life, I see you as amazing.
I think you're grand but I may be wrong
Despite my admiration for you, I am uncertain if I am accurate.
You said that Edison would never make that light
You believed that Edison's idea of making light was impossible.
You laughed at Mr. Franklin with his key and kite
You found Mr. Franklin's experiment with the key and kite amusing.
The point of the song is I'm always wrong
The main message of this song is that I am frequently incorrect.
But with you baby I'm oh so right.
However, when I am with you, I feel that I am always right.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HENRY SULLIVAN, RUSKIN HARRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TimPriceJazz
ONE OF THE GREATEST TENORMEN IN THIS LIFE....Every student in every jazz program needs to study this. This is where thegroove is- and what a tenor SOUND!! MY HERO OF HEROS!!!!! WOW!!!!
@saxophonedave
Wow.. great... I am the newest Georgie fan!
@1Kiy
That's like a final report about musician's life, full of happinnes and sadness at the same time! I loooooove it!!!!
@vova47
Georgie Auld (John Altwerger) was a great tenor man right out of Don Byas, Coleman Hawkins, ben Webster tough tenors school. Today hardly heard about he was a popular soloist and band leader in his time. We miss him!!!...
@Lenitnes7
I first learned of Georgie's work as a result of the movie "New York, New York." I was hooked! I really like this arrangement, which more than amply gives Georgie the canvas with which to paint his work. Gutsy, hard-swinging, and what a big tone. At a festival in Roseburg, Oregon, he told me "Bobbie" (Robert DeNiro) was a full-immersion "quick-study" and that "he could actually play." I would venture to say this rendition of Body and Soul ranks as one of (if not the) best ever recorded.
@BennyMax37
Beautiful performance of the big G. Auld unusual in a swing-jazz version of it. Good sound. Another point of interest.
@rayszymarek2920
That Big Tenor Sax Sound. Georgie Auld like the best of them Stan Getz Zoot Simms Dexter Gordon. All the giants in jazz leave their trade mark sound. When there is TALENT and I mean TALENT like Georgie the sound of great music never diminishes it gets better.
@kpowel
Wooaaah ! He's a star... Great sound...!
@iluminatiytu
Georgie Auld is fantastic on that horn.
@TracyIslandTV
Greatest ever 'unknown' tenor player