Career
Belvin was born in San Antonio, Texas, and moved with his family to Los Angeles at the age of five. In 1950 he joined saxophonist Big Jay McNeely's backing vocal quartet, Three Dots and a Dash, and featured prominently on their record releases. In 1952 he joined Specialty Records. Although his early solo records were unsuccessful, his fourth record, "Dream Girl", credited to Jesse & Marvin and featuring Marvin Phillips on saxophone, reached #2 on the R&B charts in 1953.
He was then drafted for a spell in the army, but continued to write songs. His composition "Earth Angel", eventually co-credited to Belvin and Hollywood Flames singers Curtis Williams and Gaynel Hodge after a legal dispute, was recorded by The Penguins, and became one of the first R&B singles to cross over onto the pop charts, selling a million copies in 1954/55.
In 1956, he signed a contract with Modern Records, but also continued to sing for other labels under different names. His biggest hit was "Goodnight My Love", which he co-wrote and which reached #7 on the R&B chart. The piano on the session was reportedly played by the 11 year old Barry White. The song became the closing theme to Alan Freed's rock and roll radio shows.
Belvin’s other recordings for Modern were less successful, and in 1958 he recorded on Dot Records with a group, The Shields, who included lead singer Frankie Ervin and guitarist Johnny "Guitar" Watson. Their record, "You Cheated", reached #15 on the US pop charts.
Inspired by his wife and manager Jo Anne to develop his style, he signed to RCA Records in 1959, and immediately had a Top 40 hit with "Guess Who". He also recorded an album, Just Jesse Belvin, developing a more mature and sophisticated sound on ballads. His style was influenced by Nat "King" Cole and Billy Eckstine, and became a model for Sam Cooke and others. He acquired the nickname "Mr. Easy", and the record company began moulding him as a potential crossover star for white audiences.
He recorded a further series of tracks later in the year, with arranger Marty Paich and an orchestra including saxophonist Art Pepper. The songs included soulful covers of standards like "Blues in the Night", "In the Still of the Night", and "Makin' Whoopee", and were issued on the album Mr. Easy.
However, before the album was issued, and shortly after finishing a performance in Little Rock on a bill with Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson, and Marv Johnson, Belvin and his wife were killed in a head-on collision at Fairhope, Arkansas. The concert was the first integrated concert in the history of Little Rock, and had been stopped twice by interruptions from whites in the audience, shouting racial epithets and urging the white teenagers in attendance to leave at once. There had been several death threats on Belvin prior to the concert, and there was speculation that Belvin's car had been tampered with prior to the accident, though nothing was ever proved.
Funny
Jesse Belvin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your heart stopped singing
The way it used to do
You don't know who's to blame
Or if there's a reason
You just know you were warm
And now you're freezing
Funny, no goodbyes was spoken
The spell was broken
By the path of silent sighs
Funny, it's, oh, so funny
Funny how you just
Can't dry your eyes
You don't know who's to blame
Or if there's a reason
You just know you were warm
And now you're freezing
Funny, no goodbyes was spoken
The spell was broken
By the path of silent sighs
Funny, it's, oh, so funny
Funny how you just
Can't dry your eyes
Funny how you just
Can't dry your eyes
Funny how you just
Can't dry your eyes
The song "Funny" by Jesse Belvin is a sorrowful and contemplative ballad about the pain of heartbreak. The opening verse sets the scene of a lonely and desolate atmosphere where the phone has stopped ringing, and the heart has stopped singing. It's a clear indication that the relationship has come to an end, and the singer is struggling to deal with the sudden detachment from their significant other.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the emotional turmoil of the singer. The repeated lines "funny, no goodbyes were spoken" suggest a sense of confusion and betrayal that the singer is feeling. It's as if they were abandoned without so much as a goodbye, the spell was broken, and the dreams were shattered. This unexpected turn of events has left them cold and lonely, and all they can do is cling on to their memories and try to figure out what went wrong.
The second verse is equally poignant, emphasizing the singer's sense of loss and confusion. They don't know who to blame, or if there is even a reason for the sudden breakup. They were warm and comfortable, and now they're freezing, lost and alone. The final chorus ends on a somber and poignant note. Despite the fact that the breakup was unexpected, and no goodbyes were spoken, the sadness and the tears remain, and the singer just can't dry their eyes.
Line by Line Meaning
Funny how the phone stopped ringing
It's strange how the phone doesn't ring anymore, as it used to in the past.
Your heart stopped singing
You lost the enthusiasm and happiness that you used to feel in your heart.
The way it used to do
The manner in which your heart used to sing and bring joy has changed.
You don't know who's to blame
You're confused about who or what is responsible for the changes in your life.
Or if there's a reason
You're not sure whether there's a justifiable explanation for what's happening in your life.
You just know you were warm
You only understand that you were once happy and comfortable in your life.
And now you're freezing
You now feel cold and vulnerable because of the changes happening in your life.
Funny, no goodbyes was spoken
It's odd that there was no farewell or goodbye said beforehand.
The spell was broken
Something magical or fantastical was ended abruptly.
By the path of silent sighs
The end was caused by many silent, regretful breaths.
Funny, it's, oh, so funny
It's ironic and amusing in a dark way.
Funny how you just
Odd that you're only able to.
Can't dry your eyes
You're unable to stop crying no matter how hard you try.
Funny how you just
Unusual that you're only capable of.
Can't dry your eyes
You just cannot seem to stop crying.
Funny how you just
Odd that you're only able to.
Can't dry your eyes
You're unable to cease your tears.
Contributed by Layla T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jlarm3
Jesse Belvin would have been the best crooner ever!! His "Mr Easy" album is some of the greatest vocals ever recorded. His style and voice were impeccable.
@melvindaniels
Mr Belvin was way before his time, a very talented writer, singer and all over entertainer, sorry we had to lose such a talent.
@Tonkaclassics1961
OMGOODNESS, SMOOTH LIKE BUTTER ---- HE CAN SING ANYTHING, WITH THAT MILD TONE AND HUGE RANGE!
@josephjohns184
Great my favorite song
@morna45
wow, what a mind-bender. I had a humongous crush in high school, and Jesse's songs got me through all of them. Thank you.This man had it all -- rock, blues, jazz in his voice. A tragic loss in the music industry.
@johnholloway2445
jesse was so big in the 50s. allways pleasant delivery ,excellent presence.really sharp dresser
@boomerang905
I loved me some Jessie Belvin. I saw story of his death on television. I was young when he passed and it was an eye-opener. thanks for sharing. He's pretty much unique.
@2011TDG
Wow great old tune still sound's good. Tammy .
@mcfrdmn
Lovely musical performance !
@glennmillerfan
Nice! Based on the catalogue number, this might have been out on a 78rpm record as well, as the last 78 issued in the US by RCA was 20-7410 "I Got Stung" by Elvis.