Critic Alex Henderson writes, "Though he was never an innovator, Quebec had a big, breathy sound that was distinctive and easily recognizable, and he was quite consistent when it came to came to down-home blues, sexy ballads, and up-tempo aggression."
An accomplished dancer and pianist, he switched to tenor sax as his primary instrument in his early 20s, and quickly earned a reputation as a promising player. His recording career started in 1940, with the Barons of Rhythm.
Later on, he recorded or performed with Frankie Newton, Hot Lips Page, Roy Eldridge, Trummy Young, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Carter and Coleman Hawkins. Between 1944 and 1951, he worked intermittently with Cab Calloway. He recorded for Blue Note records in this era, and also served as a talent scout for the label (helping pianists Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell come to wider attention) and, due to his exceptional sight reading skills, was an uncredited impromptu arranger for many Blue Note sessions.
Due in part to struggles with drug addiction (but also due to the fading popularity of big band music), Quebec recorded only sporadically during the 1950s, though he still performed regularly. He kept abreast on new developments in jazz, and his later playing incorportated elements of hard bop and soul jazz.
In 1959 he began a what amounted to a comeback with a series of albums on the Blue Note label. Blue Note executive Alfred Lion was always fond of Quebec's music, but was unsure how audiences would respond to the saxophonist after a decade of low visibility. In the mid-to-late 1950s, Blue Note issued a series of Quebec singles for the juke box market; audinences responded well, leading to a number of warmly-received albums.
Quebec's comeback was cut short by his death from lung cancer.
Influenced by Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster but definitely his own person, Ike Quebec was one of the finest swing-oriented tenor saxman of the 1940s and '50s. Though he was never an innovator, Quebec had a big, breathy sound that was distinctive and easily recognizable, and he was quite consistent when it came to came to down-home blues, sexy ballads, and up-tempo aggression. Originally a pianist, Quebec switched to tenor in the early '40s and showed that he had made the right decision on excellent 78s for Blue Note and Savoy (including his hit "Blue Harlem"). As a sideman, he worked with Benny Carter, Kenny Clarke, Roy Eldridge, and Cab Calloway. In the late '40s, the saxman did a bit of freelancing behind the scenes as a Blue Note A&R man and brought Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell to the label. Drug problems kept Quebec from recording for most of the 1950s, but he made a triumphant comeback in the early '60s and was once again recording for Blue Note and doing freelance A&R for the company. Quebec was playing as authoritatively as ever well into 1962, giving no indication that he was suffering from lung cancer, which claimed his life at the age of 44 in 1963. ~ Alex Henderson, Rovi
I've Got the World On a String
Ike Quebec Lyrics
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Got the string around my finger
What a world, what a life, I'm in love!
I've got a song that I sing
I can make the rain go, anytime I move my finger
Lucky me, can't you see, I'm in love
Life is a beautiful thing, as long as I hold the string
I've got the world on a string, sittin' on a rainbow
Got the string around my finger
What a world, what a life, I'm in love
Life is a beautiful thing, as long as I hold the string
I'd be a silly so and so, if I should ever let go
I've got the world on a string, sittin' on a rainbow
Got the string around my finger
What a world
Man this is the life
And now I'm so in love!
The song "I've Got the World On a String" by Ike Quebec is a joyful and upbeat tune that speaks about a person feeling like they have everything under control and that everything in their life is going well. The lyrics reveal that the singer feels like they have the power to control their destiny and that they are in love with their current state of being. The world is viewed as a string that is attached to the singer's finger, and they can manipulate it through their willpower, which is why they feel lucky to be in this position.
The chorus speaks of the singer's love for life, and how it is a beautiful thing as long as they hold onto the string. The lyrics also suggest that they would be foolish to let go of the string because their current state is so perfect. In summary, this song is about embracing life, feeling in control, and being grateful for one's current circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got the world on a string, sittin' on a rainbow
I feel like I have everything under my control and everything is just perfect.
Got the string around my finger
I am in complete control and can make things happen just by willing it so.
What a world, what a life, I'm in love!
Everything around me seems amazing and I am filled with love for everything and everyone.
I've got a song that I sing
There's a feeling of joy and music inside me that I express through my singing.
I can make the rain go, anytime I move my finger
I have such power that even the forces of nature obey me.
Lucky me, can't you see, I'm in love
I know how fortunate I am to be in this position and I am absolutely overjoyed.
Life is a beautiful thing, as long as I hold the string
As long as I maintain control, everything remains perfect and beautiful.
I'd be a silly so and so, if I should ever let go
It would be foolish of me to lose this control and let everything slip out of my grasp.
Man this is the life
I am absolutely content with everything and feel like I'm living the perfect life.
And now I'm so in love!
All of these feelings of joy, control, and contentment are fueled by my overwhelming love for everything around me.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC , S.A. MUSIC
Written by: HAROLD ARLEN, TED KOEHLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind