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.
Lullaby of Broadway
Jimmy Rushing Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The hip hooray and ballyhoo, the lullaby of Broadway
The rumble of a subway train, the rattle of the taxis
The daffodils who entertain, at Angelo's and Maxi's
When a Broadway baby says good night, it's early in the morning
Manhattan babies don't sleep tight until the dawn:
Good night, baby
Sleep tight, baby
Sleep tight, let's call it a day. Hey!
Come on along and listen to, the lullaby of Broadway
The hi-dee-hi and boop-a-doo, the lullaby of Broadway
The band begins to go to town, and everyone goes crazy
You rock-a-bye your baby round, 'til everything gets hazy
Hush-a-bye I'll buy you this and that, you hear a daddy saying
And baby goes home to her flat, to sleep all day:
Good night, baby
Good night, milkman's on his way
Sleep tight, baby
Sleep tight,
Let's call it a day
Listen to the lullaby of old Broadway
"Lullaby of Broadway" is an ode to New York City's fast-paced lifestyle, celebrating the soul of Broadway, where the streets never sleep. Rushing calls out to the listener to join him in experiencing the vibrancy of Broadway, with its neon lights and the sound of the subway trains that marks the start of the day. "Hip Hooray and Ballyhoo" are chants for the enthusiastic crowds emerging from the theaters at night, after enjoying the excitement of live plays. The daffodils in Angelo's and Maxi's are a reference to the city's nightlife, with these iconic nightclubs that serve as entertainment hubs even to this day.
The lyrics also refer to the routine of Broadway performers and Manhattan's baby culture, where the day starts only as the night ends. The song is an invitation to live in the moment, to allow excitement, and to feel the energy of the city, with its loud noises, the band's music, and everything getting hazy. The chorus hints at the milkman's arrival, the call to end the day, and a hint at a new morning about to commence.
The song captures the soul of New York, it's enticing, and seductive culture. The lyrics are well crafted, and Rushing brings it to life and helps us imagine the rhythms and jingles on the hoods of cars, the ringing of bells, the screeching of the subway, all working together to create the lullaby of Broadway.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on along and listen to, the lullaby of Broadway
Join in and tune in to the soothing lullaby that sings the praises of Broadway
The hip hooray and ballyhoo, the lullaby of Broadway
The exaggerated joy and commotion that typify Broadway is part of this lullaby
The rumble of a subway train, the rattle of the taxis
The hustle and bustle of the city, characterized by the sounds of trains and taxis, is a backdrop to this lullaby
The daffodils who entertain, at Angelo's and Maxi's
The performers who entertain at the venues Angelo's and Maxi's add a touch of elegance to this lullaby
When a Broadway baby says good night, it's early in the morning
When a performer on Broadway finishes for the night, it is actually morning given the late hours of performances
Manhattan babies don't sleep tight until the dawn:
New Yorkers, or 'Manhattan babies,' are notorious for staying out late and not getting to bed until the early morning hours
Good night, baby
Time to bid goodnight
Good night, milkman's on his way
The milkman makes his delivery at night, so it's a good reminder that it's time to sleep
Sleep tight, baby
Sweet dreams and sleep well
Sleep tight, let's call it a day. Hey!
It's time to end the day and get some rest
The hi-dee-hi and boop-a-doo, the lullaby of Broadway
The catchy rhyming words of this lullaby add to the playful and upbeat spirit of Broadway
The band begins to go to town, and everyone goes crazy
When the music starts, the excitement and frenzy of Broadway takes over
You rock-a-bye your baby round, 'til everything gets hazy
The rhythm of the music is so soothing that it rocks the baby to sleep and everything else fades away
Hush-a-bye I'll buy you this and that, you hear a daddy saying
The father tries to calm the baby by promising to buy whatever they want
And baby goes home to her flat, to sleep all day:
The baby is finally able to go home and sleep after a night out on Broadway
Listen to the lullaby of old Broadway
Take a step back in time and listen to this classic lullaby that sings the praises of Broadway
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Warren, Al Dubin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind