McShann was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and began working as a professional musician in 1931, performing around Tulsa, Oklahoma and neighboring Arkansas. He moved to Kansas City, Missouri in 1936, and set up his own big band, which featured Charlie Parker (from 1937 to 1942), Bernard Anderson, Ben Webster and Walter Brown. Although its book included both swing and blues numbers, the band played blues on most of its records; its most popular recording was "Confessin' the Blues." The group disbanded when McShann was drafted into the Army in 1944, and he was unable to successfully restart it when he got out.
After the war McShann began to lead small groups featuring blues shouter Jimmy Witherspoon. Witherspoon started recording with McShann in 1945, and fronting McShann's band, had a hit in 1949 with "Ain't Nobody's Business." McShann then played in obscurity until 1969, when he became popular as a singer as well as a pianist, often performing with Claude Williams. He continued recording and touring through the 1990s. Well into his 80s McShann still performed occasionally, particularly in the Kansas City area and Toronto Ontario.
Crime-fiction writer Elmore Leonard featured McShann as a character in his 2005 novel, The Hot Kid.
On December 7, 2006, McShann died at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City.
New Confessin' The Blues
Jay McShann Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want you to great it baby, hopin' that you'll
Understand
I said baby, honey please don't dog me around
Because I'd rather love you woman, honey than anyone
Else I know in town
Because you're so nice and lovely and you have such
If you take to your heart I'll be there the rest of my
Days
I said baby, that's the truth
Honey, I declare I wouldn't lie
Because I gotta love you baby
If I don't, I swear I hope I die
Oh baby, don't you want a man like me?
Can you hear me woman, don't you want a man like me?
You gotta think, you gotta think about our future, baby
And you forget about your used to be
Well, my days are long and dreary
And the sun refuse to shine
I will never be blue and lonely
Only if I knew where you are
I got the blues baby
You can make everything alright
Can I see you today baby
Or will it have to be tomorrow night
Yes, this is still my confession baby
And I'm thrilled by all your charms
It seems that I'm in heaven when I hold you in my arms
Baby, woman you can have me for yourself
You know I was meant for you baby
And I don't want nobody else, no I don't
Hey, you told me that you love me, woman, you meant it
From the start
You said that we would be together until death do us
Part
But you lied to me baby, yes and you called it on the
Phone
Now how can I be happy woman, with all the wrong you
Done
When you know just where I stand
I don't wanna lose you woman, wanna keep you if I can
But baby, baby you know I never had a friend
You're my one and only woman, you're all I have that
Stays
Now let me come in here
Confessin' the Blues by Walter Brown is a passionate love song where the singer bares his heart and soul to the woman he loves. The lyrics convey a deep desire and longing for the woman's acceptance and love. The song opens with the singer standing before the woman "with his heart in his hand" and asking her to accept it. He hopes she can understand the depth of his feelings for her and requests her not to hurt him in any way, as he loves her more than anyone else.
The singer praises the woman's pleasant ways and lovely nature, which have captured his heart forever. He asks her to consider their future together and forget about her past. The singer expresses his willingness to be there for her always, even during the long and dreary days when the sun refuses to shine. His desire for her love and comfort is so intense that he is left with the blues when he is away from her.
The song is a beautiful expression of love and longing, all wrapped up in a classic blues melody. The vocals of the singer are soulful and heartfelt, while the piano adds to the melancholic feel of the song. The lyrics capture the essence of a love that is pure and honest, but also vulnerable and fragile.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, here I stand before you with my heart in my hand
I am vulnerable and sincere, presenting myself to you without reservation
I want you to great it baby, hopin' that you'll Understand
I am expressing my desire for you to accept my feelings and intentions
I said baby, honey please don't dog me around
I am pleading with you not to mistreat or deceive me
Because I'd rather love you woman, honey than anyone Else I know in town
I am declaring my devotion to you above all others
Because you're so nice and lovely and you have such Pleasant ways
I am complimenting you on your admirable qualities
If you take to your heart I'll be there the rest of my Days
I am making a promise to be devoted to you for life if you reciprocate my feelings
I said baby, that's the truth Honey, I declare I wouldn't lie
I am affirming the truth of my words and emphasizing my honesty
Because I gotta love you baby If I don't, I swear I hope I die
I am expressing the depth and intensity of my emotions for you
Oh baby, don't you want a man like me? Can you hear me woman, don't you want a man like me?
I am making a case for why I am a desirable partner and asking for your affections
You gotta think, you gotta think about our future, baby And you forget about your used to be
I am urging you to consider a future with me and move on from any past relationships
Well, my days are long and dreary And the sun refuse to shine
I am describing my loneliness and unhappiness without your love
I will never be blue and lonely Only if I knew where you are
I am expressing my need for you and how much happier I would be if I knew you were near
I got the blues baby You can make everything alright Can I see you today baby Or will it have to be tomorrow night
I am acknowledging my sadness and asking for the comfort of your presence
Yes, this is still my confession baby And I'm thrilled by all your charms It seems that I'm in heaven when I hold you in my arms
I am reinforcing my love and admiration for you, and how happy you make me
Baby, woman you can have me for yourself You know I was meant for you baby And I don't want nobody else, no I don't
I am declaring my devotion to you exclusively and how I am meant to be with you
Hey, you told me that you love me, woman, you meant it From the start
I am reminding you of your own previous declaration of love for me
You said that we would be together until death do us Part
I am recalling your promise to me of a long-term future together
But you lied to me baby, yes and you called it on the Phone Now how can I be happy woman, with all the wrong you Done
I am revealing my hurt and disappointment at discovering that you have been unfaithful or deceitful
When you know just where I stand I don't wanna lose you woman, wanna keep you if I can
I am clarifying my position and desire to keep you in my life
But baby, baby you know I never had a friend You're my one and only woman, you're all I have that Stays
I am expressing my dependence on you and how important you are to me
Now let me come in here
I am making an invitation to you to let me into your life and heart
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: WALTER JACOBS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@coravisser727
This is real awesome beautifull such legendes thank you so much.
@lincolnrossmusic
Charlie Parker was with the band at this time . Charlie was 21 years old and this tune was a big hit selling over 100,000 copies from what I have read. Thanks for posting.
@peggyknauf9105
Oh boy I love that music I love the blues
@geoffgarber309
Great - sung from the heart
@davidtownsend5416
According to his autobiography, this was the first song that Chuck Berry sang in public, at a 1941 high school show.
@TomParmenter
Walter Brown vocal.
@catman916
Jimmy Witherspoon