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.
That Old Black Magic
Glenn Miller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That old black magic that you weave so well.
Those icy fingers up and down my spine,
The same old witchcraft when your eyes meet mine.
The same old tingle that I feel inside,
And then that elevator starts its ride.
And down and down I go; round and round I go
I should stay away, but what can I do?
I hear your name and I'm aflame.
Aflame with such a burning desire
That only your kiss can put out the fire.
For you're the lover I have waited for,
The mate that Fate had me created for.
And every time your lips meet mine,
Darling, down and down I go; round and round I go
In a spin, loving the spin I'm in
Under that old black magic called love.
In Glenn Miller’s “That Old Black Magic,” the lyrics describe the singer’s intense attraction to a mysterious and beguiling lover. The song paints a picture of an almost supernatural allure that the lover possesses, which has put the singer under a spell of sorts. The first verse describes the physical sensations that the singer feels in the presence of the lover – a shiver up and down the spine – and how they can’t seem to resist the magical pull the lover exerts over them.
The second verse focuses more on the emotional aspect of the singer’s attraction. They acknowledge that the obsession is not healthy, and that they should stay away, but the irresistible allure is too strong to ignore. The singer describes being “aflame” with desire that only the lover’s kiss can extinguish. Furthermore, they believe that Fate has created them to be with this particular lover, making their connection even more critical. The lyrics repeatedly emphasize that this is an old black magic, tying this love affair to some sort of ancient, mystical force.
Overall, the song's lyrics highlight the idea of being in the throes of powerful attraction and feeling helpless to resist it, almost as if it's a kind of magic.
Line by Line Meaning
That old black magic has me in its spell,
I am completely under the influence of your charms, which feel like a mysterious, powerful spell that I cannot escape from.
That old black magic that you weave so well.
You are the one who is responsible for creating this spell with your charm and seduction, which you are very skilled at.
Those icy fingers up and down my spine,
Your touch sends chills down my spine, which I cannot resist or control.
The same old witchcraft when your eyes meet mine.
Whenever our eyes meet, the same enchanting and bewitching feelings arise, just like they always do.
The same old tingle that I feel inside,
I still feel the same electric, thrilling sensation within me whenever I am close to you.
And then that elevator starts its ride.
My heart begins to race, and my emotions start to take over like an elevator starting its speedy ascent.
And down and down I go; round and round I go
My excitement and infatuation makes me feel as if I am spiraling out of control, going down and round in an endless cycle.
Like a leaf that's caught in the tide.
I am at the mercy of your love like a helpless leaf caught in a strong current of the ocean tide.
I should stay away, but what can I do?
Even though I know it might not be the wise choice, I am unable to resist the pull of my love for you.
I hear your name and I'm aflame.
Just the mention of your name sets my passion ablaze and sends me into a frenzy of emotions.
Aflame with such a burning desire
I am bursting with a fiery and intense desire to be with you and experience your love.
That only your kiss can put out the fire.
Only your affectionate embrace and kiss has the power to extinguish my longing and restore my calm.
For you're the lover I have waited for,
You are the one I have always dreamed of, and the one I have been searching for all this time.
The mate that Fate had me created for.
I wholeheartedly believe that you are my destined soulmate, created by the very hands of fate for me.
And every time your lips meet mine,
Whenever our lips touch, it feels like an unstoppable force pulling us together in a whirlwind of love and passion.
Darling, down and down I go; round and round I go
My feelings for you continue to take me on a maddening, addictive ride that I never want to stop.
In a spin, loving the spin I'm in
I am lost in the dizzying and thrilling spin of my love for you, and am entirely content to remain there forever.
Under that old black magic called love.
I am willingly and happily ensnared in the mysterious and potent power of love, which feels like an ancient, all-encompassing enchantment cast by that old black magic.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
K Lee
Lovely recording. Well deserved #1 hit.
Miguel Osvaldo Flores Dominguez
Glenn Miller's a legend!
john asson
a classic song! gyrating lyrics of love.
COPYWRITE
My grandpa right there ❤ RIP Scipione Mirabella aka "skip Nelson"
swisherb
When Glenn Miller fired his longtime "boy singer," Ray Eberle, he sent for Skip Nelson, who was singing with Chico Marx's band, a mich lesser-known group. Any idea how Miller would have known about your grandfather in that band? Here's Skip's very first performance with Miller, from a radio broadcast on July 14, 1942:
https://youtu.be/_F--o6-SWgk
Jon Darden
came here after listening to "Wish You Were Here"
Al Biondi
Skip was a great singer but it's a shame Miller fired Ray Eberle. Ray's voice fit so perfectly with that great Miller sound. No disrespect for Skip
Joanna Daniels
Just in time for Halloween dancing.
KIMMYSSONG - Christian Living and Learning
love
Roselita Millona
✊