The Glenn Miller Orchestra was originally formed in 1937 by Glenn Miller. It's unique, tight and popular sound was produced by arranging for a clarinet and tenor saxophone playing melody, while three other saxophones played the harmony. Miller had already formed one band before this in 1936, but he dissolved it as he considered it too similar to other bands of the era.
After the disappearance (and presumed death) of Miller in 1944, the band was reconstituted under the direction of Tex Beneke, its lead tenor saxophonist, singer, and one of Miller's longtime close friends. A few years later, the Miller estate, having parted ways with Beneke, hired Ray McKinley, principal drummer in Miller's Army Air Force band, to organize a new "ghost band" in 1956. The group went on, playing as a tribute to Miller's memory.
The Glenn Miller Orchestra continued to record and perform under various leaders starting in 1956. It is still touring today. Currently, trombonist Larry O'Brien leads the band.
Members:
Larry O'Brien - Trombonist, musical director
Julia Rich - vocalist
Ryan Garfi - vocalist
Kevin Sheehan - Lead Alto Saxophone
Bryan Wente - Alto Saxophone
Scott Van Domelen - Tenor Saxophone
Gregory Pflugh - Tenor Saxophone
Fil Lorenz - Baritone and Alto Saxophone and Clarinet
Ashley Hall - Lead Trumpet
Stephen Forse - Trumpet
Joe Badaczewski - Trumpet
Kyle Simpson - Trumpet
George Reinert III - Lead Trombone
Chris Fortner - Trombone
Steve McCallum - Third Trombone
Jason Bennett - Bass Trombone
Nathaniel Shafer - Piano
Justin Watt - Drums
Bart Delaney - Bass
Runnin
Glenn Miller Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I'm all by myself
I guess she thinks now that she's gone
I'll lay right on the shelf
I'm gonna show her she's all wrong
No lonesome stuff for mine
I won't sit home, all alone
She'll soon find that I'm
Runnin' wild, lost control
Runnin' wild, mighty bold
Feelin' gay, reckless too
Care free mind all the time, never blue
Always goin' don't know where
Always showin', I don't care
Don't love nobody, it's not worth while
All alone, runnin' wild. Runnin' wild
When I first met that gal of mine
It seemed just like a dream
But when she tho't she had me right
She started actin' mean
Like mary led her little lamb
She led me all the time
Until the worm had to turn
That's the reason I'm
Runnin' wild, lost control
Runnin' wild, mighty bold
Feelin' gay, reckless too
Care free mind all the time, never blue
Always goin' don't know where
Always showin', I don't care
Don't love nobody, it's not worth while
All alone, runnin' wild. Runnin' wild
No gal will ever make a fool of me
No gal! I mean just what I say
I ain't the simpleton I used to be
Wonder how I got that way
Once I was full of sentiment, it's true
But now I got a cruel heart
With all that other foolishness I'm through
Gonna play the Villain part
Runnin' wild, lost control
Runnin' wild, mighty bold
Feelin' gay, reckless too
Care free mind all the time, never blue
Always goin' don't know where
Always showin', I don't care
Don't love nobody, it's not worth while
All alone, runnin' wild. Runnin' wild
The lyrics to Glenn Miller's song "Running Wild" portray the singer's determination to show his ex-girlfriend that he will not lay low after their fight. He wishes to demonstrate his boldness and show her he won't be feeling blue or sitting alone at home. He expresses his newfound carefree attitude and resilience after being led around by her like a lamb. He declares that no woman can make a fool of him and that he won't be falling into the trap of sentimentality again. The overall tone of the song is defiant, with the singer determined to show his ex-girlfriend that he has moved on and won't be controlled by her.
Line by Line Meaning
My gal and I, we had a fight
My girlfriend and I argued
And I'm all by myself
I am now alone
I guess she thinks now that she's gone
I assume she believes that now she has left
I'll lay right on the shelf
I will not do anything with my life
I'm gonna show her she's all wrong
I will prove to her that she is incorrect
No lonesome stuff for mine
I refuse to be sad
I won't sit home, all alone
I will not stay at home by myself
She'll soon find that I'm
She will realize that I am
Runnin' wild, lost control
I am being reckless and impulsive
Runnin' wild, mighty bold
I am acting boldly and without fear
Feelin' gay, reckless too
I am feeling happy and carefree, but also irresponsible
Care free mind all the time, never blue
I am always carefree and never sad
Always goin' don't know where
I am always traveling without a specific destination
Always showin', I don't care
I am always showing off, without worrying about consequences
Don't love nobody, it's not worth while
I do not love anybody because it is not worth it
All alone, runnin' wild. Runnin' wild
I am alone and behaving recklessly
When I first met that gal of mine
When I first met my girlfriend
It seemed just like a dream
It felt too good to be true
But when she tho't she had me right
But when she thought that she had me under control
She started actin' mean
She began to behave badly
Like mary led her little lamb
She started leading me around like a helpless lamb
She led me all the time
She was always in charge
Until the worm had to turn
Until I had enough and stood up for myself
That's the reason I'm
That's why I am
No gal will ever make a fool of me
I will not let any woman take advantage of me
No gal! I mean just what I say
I am serious about this
I ain't the simpleton I used to be
I am no longer naive
Wonder how I got that way
I am reflecting on my personal transformation
Once I was full of sentiment, it's true
I used to be more emotional and romantic
But now I got a cruel heart
But now I have a cold heart
With all that other foolishness I'm through
I am done with all of that other nonsense
Gonna play the Villain part
I am going to act like the bad guy
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, T.R.O. INC.
Written by: ARTHUR GIBBS, ARTHUR HARRINGTON GIBBS, JOSEPH GREY, JOSEPH W GREY, LEO WOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@henridelagardere264
1:05 I have this thing about saxophone players, especially tenor sax. I don't know what it is, they just curdle me. All they have to do is play eight bars of 'Come to Me, My Melancholy Baby' and my spine turns to custard. I get goose pimply all over and I come to 'em, every time.
@RatPfink66
There isn't actually much of the tune "Runnin' Wild" in here. It serves mostly as a rationale for Bill Finegan's juiced-up riffs played with the solid Miller punch. It was easily the hottest, tightest, most exciting performance Glenn had put on wax up to that time.
@gregoryagogo
This is the best version of the song, I think!
@johnunkerman
Why no more likes for this???? Perfect upload. RESPECT!
@barrybrown9104
I keep expecting Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon to have solos!!!
@mara3842
LOVE that movie and this tune :)
@johnwheeler4034
also used in Miller's Crossing (1990), along with King Porter Stomp and Danny Boy sung by Frank Patterson