During his early days as a musician, Jimmy Dorsey performed with various other ensembles and artists including the Scranton Sirens, The California Ramblers, Red Nichols, Jean Goldkette, Ben Pollack, and Paul Whiteman. He and his younger brother Tommy formed several bands known as “The Dorsey Brothers Orchestra” during the late 1920s and early 1930s which suddenly ended in May, 1935, when Tommy stormed off the bandstand after an onstage argument.
For several months, Jimmy continued leading the band, keeping the Dorsey Brothers name, hoping that his younger brother would return, but he did not. In September, 1935, the Dorsey Brothers band legally became the "Jim Dorsey Orchestra", after Jimmy found out that Tommy Dorsey now had his own band, and had signed a recording contract with RCA Victor. Jimmy Dorsey remained with Decca Records as the two brothers were now competing with each other musically.
Jimmy Dorsey's first hit record was "You Let Me Down" in 1935. His early band was considered to be more jazz-oriented than his brother's, and recordings of some instrumental swing classics soon followed: Dorsey Stomp, Tap Dancer's Nightmare, Parade of the Milk Bottle Caps, John Silver, and Dusk in Upper Sandusky. The band was featured on Bing Crosby's Kraft Music Hall radio show, and did quite well commercially, although being overshadowed by Benny Goodman, (also a clarinetist), whose big band had grabbed center stage in the mid thirties.
Dorsey's main vocalist was Bob Eberly, considered to be the best in the music business, and in 1939, Helen O'Connell joined the band, and the idea to have them do duets together proved to be highly successful. Almost every record released during 1939-1943 were hits, but especially records made with a Latin American flavor like “Amapola”, "Maria Elena", and “Green Eyes”, which topped the charts in 1941.
Certainly vocalists Helen O’Connell and Bob Eberly, were two very important factors in Jimmy Dorsey’s rise in popularity. They continued singing with his band for future records and motion picture appearances. Despite personnel changes, Jimmy remained one of the top big band leaders after World War II and into the 1950s, always updating the sound of his band, but the big band business was beginning to decline.
Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey reunited on March 15, 1945 to record a V-Disc at Liederkranz Hall in New York City. Released in June, 1945, V-Disc 451 featured "More Than You Know" backed with "Brotherly Jump". The songs featured the combined orchestras of Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey.
In 1953, he and his brother reunited to form a (new) “Dorsey Brothers Orchestra.” Tommy was the leader of the group, making Jimmy the co-leader and featured soloist. In 1954, Jackie Gleason chose their band to star in a weekly television show that centered on their band. The show, called “Stage Show,” was a huge hit, and gave other big band leaders hope in a business that was steadily declining.
Tommy’s death in 1956 and Jimmy’s own health problems resulted in the end of his television and musical career in 1957.
Tangerine
Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She is all they claim
With her eyes of night and lips as bright as flame
Tangerine
When she dances by
Senoritas stare and caballeros sigh
And I've seen
Toasts to Tangerine
Yes, she has them all on the run
But her heart belongs to just one
Her heart belongs to Tangerine
Tangerine
She is all they say
With mascara'd eye and chapeaux by Dache
Tangerine
With her lips of flame
If the colour keeps, Louis Philippe's to blame
And I've seen
Clothes on Tangerine
Where the label says "From Macy's Mezzanine"
Yes, she's got the guys in a whirl
But she's only fooling one girl
She's only fooling Tangerine!
The lyrics of Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra's song Tangerine talk about a woman who goes by the name Tangerine, described as someone who has stunning physical features like bright lips and night-like eyes. Her beauty is so mesmerizing that even the señoritas stare and the caballeros sigh when she dances by. Tangerine is a popular figure in Argentine, where toasts are made in her honor in every bar. Despite having many admirers, Tangerine belongs to just one. The second verse further elaborates on the physical beauty of Tangerine with her mascara’d eyes and chapeaux by Dache. Her lips are so fiery that she's blamed for the color being stolen from Louis Philippe’s clothing. She wears designer clothes that have been bought from Macy’s Mezzanine. Tangerine has captivated many guys, but she's only fooling one girl, which is herself.
The lyrics showcase the idea of a woman, Tangerine, who is so attractive that she leaves a lasting impression on everyone around her. The song portrays her as someone who has everything that one could ask for, including beauty and admiration. Despite her popularity, she remains faithful to the one she loves. However, the lyrics also imply that Tangerine is not as perfect as she seems. There is a chance that she is not as truthful and authentic as one might think. The lyrics "She's only fooling Tangerine," shows that she wears designer clothes to impress herself, which indicates that she might not have the self-esteem that her admirers believe she has.
Line by Line Meaning
Tangerine
Refers to the woman who is the central figure of the song.
She is all they claim
Tangerine lives up to the hype surrounding her, and is as impressive as people say she is.
With her eyes of night and lips as bright as flame
Tangerine's eyes and lips are striking and memorable, making her stand out from others.
When she dances by
Tangerine's dancing is noteworthy and catches people's attention.
Senoritas stare and caballeros sigh
Both women and men are enamored by Tangerine's beauty and presence.
And I've seen
The singer has observed firsthand the impact Tangerine has on others.
Toasts to Tangerine
People toast and celebrate Tangerine's presence and impact in every bar in Argentina.
Raised in every bar across the Argentine
Tangerine's influence and popularity is widespread and known throughout the country.
Yes, she has them all on the run
Tangerine has captured the attention and admiration of many people.
But her heart belongs to just one
Despite her popularity, Tangerine is committed to one person.
Her heart belongs to Tangerine
The person Tangerine is committed to is herself.
She is all they say
Tangerine lives up to the expectations others have of her.
With mascara'd eye and chapeaux by Dache
Tangerine has a style and fashion that is both noticeable and expensive.
With her lips of flame
Tangerine's lips are bright red and eye-catching.
If the colour keeps, Louis Philippe's to blame
If Tangerine's lips retain their color, the cosmetics brand Louis Philippe is responsible.
Clothes on Tangerine
The clothing Tangerine wears is notable and eye-catching.
Where the label says 'From Macy's Mezzanine'
Tangerine's clothing is from an expensive department store in New York called Macy's.
Yes, she's got the guys in a whirl
The men are captivated and entranced by Tangerine's presence.
But she's only fooling one girl
Despite the attention she gets from men, Tangerine is only interested in herself and is not actually interested in anyone else.
She's only fooling Tangerine!
Tangerine is not actually interested in anyone or anything outside of herself.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Johnny Mercer, Victor Schertzinger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@renatonunes2550
It amazes me how the younger American generations are so ignorant of such beautiful music like this and all the Big Band Era's great melodies and songs. They have no idea what they are missing. SUCH BEAUTY ! 🥲
@moonglows1
Good morning: I never reply to any comments but I am compelled to do so with yours: I was a high school history teacher for 35 years and I used all kinds of music to "teach" my students depending on the era, etc...yes, it is certainly sad that our youth has no appreciation for this wonderful music, but in my classes and when I played this music, the response was amazing. Over the years I accumulated thousands of original songs, artists, etc...and now I go around and entertain seniors with what I accumulated. I could go on, but you are totally "right -on" (expression from my time). Besides, Helen O'Connell...what a "dish!" I've had a crush on her since I discovered her. I spend hours on YouTube searching for clips, songs, etc... you'd be surprised if you saw how many of our young people love this music if it is exposed to them in the correct context. Music is the poetry of our souls.
@thenevadadesertrat2713
This cuts two ways. The younger generation thinks the same of us (I am 900.
@davidbrown7546
Oh my. Older than Methuselah. Congrats. You got me beat by 818 years!
@Postumeartist
Actually, you can thank video games for getting the younger generation back into this music. While satellite radio got me started into it, a couple of very popular video games got even more kids into it.
If this were on the radio more where I live, I’d listen to it consistently.
@user-uy2vj5xe8l
Archie Bunker sings this song when meathead offers him money
@powers1079
Bob Eberly grew up in Hoosick Falls, NY and my grandparents loved his music and were good friends with his brother Al Eberly and his wife Anne. Bob's niece Joanne is a friend of my mother and went to school together at Hoosick Fall Central School. Bob returned to Hoosick Falls in 1977 for a homecoming concert at St. Mary's school. My grandparents sat with the Eberly family and Bob came over to where they were sitting and talked with them at the end of the concert. It was very memorable for my grandparents.
@michelleleeschaeffer3482
That’s awesome! My grandpa Bob took me to hoo sick falls that years. I had a blast running through the corn fields!!
@mikeappignani4383
I'm 60 years 🧓 old MY Dad And His Buddies Would Listen 👂 to All These wonderful songs. I'm From East Boston. They would All Sing Along IN A social club In Maverick Square. Most of Them Were ww2 Veterans. And Long shore Men. AND MERCHANTS MARINES. GOD I LOVED EVERYONE OF THEM GUYS .THEY WERE THE GREATEST GENERATION. BY FAR.THANKYOU GOD FOR LETTING ME GET TO KNOW THEM.
@christinemiller1735
I was born in 59 and love this song 🎵❤
Such a beautiful classic song 🎵