Born John Vivian McVea in Los Angeles, California, and playing jazz in Los Angeles for several years, he joined Lionel Hampton's orchestra in 1940. From 1944 on he mostly worked as a leader. Perhaps his most impressive performance as a sideman in those years was at the first Jazz at the Philharmonic concert in 1944. From 1966 till his retirement in the 1980s he led a group which played traditional jazz at Disneyland, called "The Royal Street Bachelors" in New Orleans Square.
McVea was leader of the Black & White Records studio band and was responsible for coming up with the musical riff for the words "Open the Door, Richard". Ralph Bass got him to record it in 1946 and it became immensely popular, entering the national charts the following year, and was recorded by many other artists.
He is also known for his playing on T-Bone Walker's "Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday Is Just As Bad)." McVea also played on 1945's "Slim's Jam" by Slim Gaillard alongside Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie.
McVea died in December 2000, at the age of 86
Don't Blame Me
Jack McVea Lyrics
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I've hung around you just like a fool
Falling head and heels in love like a kid out of school.
My poor heart is in an awful state now
But it's too late now to call a halt
So if I become a nuisance it's all your fault!
Don't blame me for falling in love with you
I'm under your spell but how can I help it!
Don't' blame me!
Can't you see when you do the things you do!
If I can't conceal the thrill that I'm feeling,
Don't blame; me.
Ican't help it if that doggoned moon above
Makes me need someone like you to love!
Blame your kiss as sweet as a kiss can be
And blame all your charms that melt in my arms
But don't blame me.
I like every single thing about you
Without a doubt you are like a dream
In my mind I find a picture of us as a team
Ever since the hour of our meeting
I've been repeating a silly phrase
Hoping that you'll understand me one of these days.
Don't blame me for falling in love with you
I'm under your spell but how can I help it!
Don't' blame me!
Can't you see when you do the things you do!
If I can't conceal the thrill that I'm feeling,
Don't blame; me.
Ican't help it if that doggoned moon above
Makes me need someone like you to love!
Blame your kiss as sweet as a kiss can be
And blame all your charms that melt in my arms
But don't blame me.
The lyrics in Jack McVea's song, Don't Blame Me, describe the singer's falling in love with someone and feeling completely helpless in the process. The singer acknowledges that they have become a "nuisance" and a "fool" for hanging around the person they love like a kid out of school. The singer's heart is in an "awful state" because of their intense feelings, yet they believe it is too late to stop them. The lyrics convey a sense of powerlessness in love, which is compounded by the central plea: "don't blame me."
The song's chorus repeats the plea of the verse in a more emphatic way: "Don't blame me for falling in love with you / I'm under your spell but how can I help it! / Don't blame me!" The chorus highlights the singer's inability to control their feelings, and how their love for the person is beyond their control. The singer acknowledges that they are unable to conceal the thrill that they feel around the person they love.
Additionally, the lyrics suggest that the singer's love is not entirely irrational. They say "I can't help it if that doggoned moon above / Makes me need someone like you to love!" This line conveys the idea that fate or destiny has a role to play in the singer's feelings. The song ends with the singer imploring the person they love not to blame them for falling in love, but instead to blame their own charms and sweet kisses.
Line by Line Meaning
Ever since the lucky night I found you
From the moment I met you, I've been fortunate and filled with joy
I've hung around you just like a fool
I've been constantly by your side, without much thought or logic
Falling head and heels in love like a kid out of school.
I've fallen in love so deeply and quickly, like a young, naive student
My poor heart is in an awful state now
My heart feels broken and distressed as a result of my feelings for you
But it's too late now to call a halt
I can't stop my feelings for you now, no matter how hard I try
So if I become a nuisance it's all your fault!
If I bother or annoy you because of my love, it's your fault for causing it
Don't blame me for falling in love with you
It's not my fault that I've fallen so deeply in love with you
I'm under your spell but how can I help it!
Your charm and allure have enchanted me, making me infatuated with you
Don't' blame me!
Don't hold me accountable for my love and feelings towards you
Can't you see when you do the things you do!
Your actions and behaviors towards me fuel my love for you
If I can't conceal the thrill that I'm feeling,
I can't hide my excitement and elation when I'm with you
Ican't help it if that doggoned moon above
I have no control over the powerful emotions brought on by the moon's influence
Makes me need someone like you to love!
The moon's pull makes me crave someone with the qualities and traits that you possess
Blame your kiss as sweet as a kiss can be
Your kisses are so wonderful and enticing, they're what draw me to you
And blame all your charms that melt in my arms
Your charming personality and attractive physicality make it hard for me to resist you
But don't blame me.
Despite all of this, don't blame me for my love towards you
I like every single thing about you
There's not a single thing about you that I don't adore
Without a doubt you are like a dream
You're like a fantasy or a perfect figment of my imagination
In my mind I find a picture of us as a team
I imagine us as a united couple, always working together and supporting each other
Ever since the hour of our meeting
Since the moment we met, I've been consumed by thoughts of you
I've been repeating a silly phrase
I keep saying a phrase that might seem foolish or humorous
Hoping that you'll understand me one of these days.
I'm hoping that my love for you becomes apparent to you one day and that you reciprocate my feelings
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOROTHY FIELDS, JIMMY MC HUGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind