During the late 1920s and early 1930s, Miller managed to earn a living working as a freelance trombonist in several bands. His first band was formed in 1937 but failed to distinguish itself and eventually broke up.
Following the break-up of his first band, Miller realized that he needed to develop a unique sound, and decided to make the clarinet play a melodic line with a tenor saxophone on the same note, while three other saxophones harmonized. With this sound combination, the Miller band that became the most popular was born in 1938. After a shaky start, it made his new band a nationwide hit.
In 1942, Miller joined the United States Army Air Forces where he continued his musical career with the Army Air Force Band.
On December 15, 1944, Miller was to fly from the United Kingdom to Paris, France, to play for the soldiers who had recently liberated Paris. His plane departed from RAF Twinwood Farm in Clapham, Bedfordshire and disappeared while flying over the English Channel. No trace of the aircrew, passengers or plane has ever been found. Miller's status is missing in action.
His music is still iconic of the time period in which he lived and continues to draw thousands of fans of all age groups.
Glenn Miller was a popular visitor to Bedford and its American Air force bases. He is still remembered to this day by the people of Bedford with a bronze bust displayed on the front of the towns Corn Exchange, and more recently, what remains of the Twinwoods Airfield being renovated as a Glenn Miller Museum and outdoor event site
2) Glenn Miller was a Jamaican reggae and soul artist of the 1960's.
Along with other legendary artists such as Bob Marley & the Wailers and Desmond Dekker he recorded for the Trojan record label.
Helpless
Glenn Miller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm helpless, what can I do
When you're near me I'm dumb
My heart's become
Helpless
Helpless, at your command
I'm helpless, please understand
I'm all at sea
Helpless
There are words that I should speak now
But I can't seem to start
You are near and I'm so weak now
Oh, why can't I speak with my heart
I'm helpless, I love you so
It's hopeless, if you should go
I'd be helpless I fear
don't leave me here
Helpless
Glenn Miller's Helpless is a love song that speaks about the hopeless and vulnerable feeling one gets when they are around the person they love. The opening lines, "helpless when I'm with you, I'm helpless, what can I do?" immediately set the tone for the song. The singer is in love, and they cannot control the emotions they feel when the person is near them. They go on to explain how they feel dumb, and their heart has become helpless.
The chorus repeats the word helpless, emphasizing how powerless the singer feels around their beloved. They claim to be at the command of the person they love and cannot be free. The singer is all at sea, unable to think straight or function without the person they love.
The second verse brings in the theme of wanting to express their feelings but being unable to do so. They refer to "words that I should speak now, but I can't seem to start. You are near, and I'm so weak now, oh, why can't I speak with my heart?" The singer is helpless, unable to express their love in words despite wanting to do so.
Overall, Helpless is a song that speaks to anyone who has felt powerless in the presence of someone they love. It speaks to the vulnerability of love and how it can make a person feel so powerless and helpless.
Line by Line Meaning
Helpless, when I'm with you
Being with you renders me useless
I'm helpless, what can I do
I cannot do anything to change the way I feel
When you're near me I'm dumb
In your presence, I'm at a loss for words
My heart's become
My emotions are overwhelming
Helpless
Powerless in your presence
Helpless, at your command
I am at your mercy
I'm helpless, please understand
It's beyond my control, please empathize with me
I can never be free
I can never escape this feeling
I'm all at sea
I'm lost and confused
Helpless
Powerless in your presence
There are words that I should speak now
I have things to say
But I can't seem to start
I have trouble expressing myself
You are near and I'm so weak now
Being close to you makes me feel vulnerable
Oh, why can't I speak with my heart
I wish I could express myself better
I'm helpless, I love you so
My love is beyond my control
It's hopeless, if you should go
I can't imagine life without you
I'd be helpless I fear
I would become powerless
don't leave me here
Please don't abandon me
Helpless
Powerless in your presence
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jack Lathrop
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind