His build earned him a nickname and a signature song, "Mr. Five by Five" ("he's five feet tall and he's five feet wide"). His best known recordings are probably those of "Going to Chicago" with Basie and "Harvard Blues" with the famous saxophone solo by Don Byas. George Frazier, author of "Harvard Blues", called Rushing's distinctive voice, "a magnificent gargle".
He died of leukemia in 1972 in New York City.
All By Myself
Jimmy Rushing Lyrics
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All by myself in the night
I sit alone with a table and a chair
So unhappy there
Playing solitaire
All by myself I get lonely
I'd love to rest my weary head on somebody's shoulder
I hate to grow older
All by myself
The lyrics to "All by Myself" by Jimmy Rushing speak to a deep sense of melancholy and loneliness that is felt by the singer at all times throughout the day. He is alone in the morning and night, and even during the day he finds himself sitting by himself at a table with nothing but a chair for company. This isolation has made him incredibly unhappy, leading to hours spent playing solitaire to try and distract himself from the pervasive sadness. The simple act of watching the clock becomes a depressing reminder of the time that he is spending completely alone. It is clear from the lyrics that the singer yearns for companionship, stating that he would love to rest his weary head on somebody's shoulder. However, growing older has made him increasingly aware of the fact that he may be alone forever, which only adds to his already overwhelming sense of despair.
The lyrics to "All by Myself" are a powerful commentary on the human condition, touching on themes of isolation, loneliness, and the innate desire for companionship. It is a reminder that we are social creatures by nature, and that the absence of human connection can have a profound and deeply negative impact on our lives. The song is a testament to the power of music to capture the essence of the human experience, and it remains a poignant reminder of the importance of human connection in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
All by myself in the morning
Just me, nobody else, at the start of the day
All by myself in the night
Just me, nobody else, at the end of the day
I sit alone with a table and a chair
My only companions are inanimate objects
So unhappy there
I'm not content with my current situation
Playing solitaire
A single-player game symbolizing my lack of social interaction
All by myself I get lonely
My solitude leads to feelings of emptiness
Watching the clock on the shelf
Constantly checking the time, hoping for a change in my circumstance
I'd love to rest my weary head on somebody's shoulder
I yearn for physical and emotional comfort from another person
I hate to grow older
The passing of time only increases my sense of isolation
All by myself
A recurring phrase emphasizing my loneliness
Lyrics © IMAGEM U.S. LLC
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind