Born James Oscar Smith on 8th December 1925 in Norristown, Pennsylvania, USA. Smith was influenced by both gospel and blues. He first achieved prominence in the 1950s where his recordings became popular on jukeboxes before there were commonly used terms to describe his unique musical flavor. In the sixties and seventies he helped create the jazz style known as soul jazz.
Smith employed a unique technique to emulate a string bass player on the organ. Although he played walking bass lines on the pedals on ballads, for uptempo tunes, he would play the bass line on the lower manual and use the pedals for emphasis on the attack of certain notes. His solos were characterised by percussive chords mixed with very fast melodic improvisation with the right hand.
Smith was a prolific recording artist. He first recorded with the Blue Note label in 1956. His early albums with Blue Note sold very well, improving its financial viability and aiding the label's efforts to promote other artists. They include Home Cookin' , The Sermon!, Midnight Special, Prayer Meetin' , and Back at the Chicken Shack.
Smith signed to Verve Records label in 1963. Smith's albums with Verve include: The Cat, The Boss, Root Down, Peter & The Wolf, Any Number Can Win, The Incredible..., Bashin', Got My Mojo Workin', Christmas Cookin', and Organ Grinder Swing.
His influence has been felt across multiple generations and musical styles; nearly every subsequent jazz organist owes a large debt to Smith. The Beastie Boys (who sampled the bassline from Smith's "Root Down (and Get It)"—and saluted Smith in the lyrics—for their own hit "Root Down"), Medeski, Martin & Wood, and The Hayden-Eckert Ensemble are among the better known contemporary bands that pay tribute to Smith's sensibilities and sound. The Acid Jazz movement also reflects Smith's influences.
Smith died on 8th February 2005, in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA.
There are several other artists with this name: 1. an American jazz trumpeter, 2. an American jazz drummer, 3. a British guitarist for the band Foals, 4. blues guitarist Jimmy "Guitar" Smith.
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See Wikipedia for a disambiguation page for Jimmy Smith#Musicians.
Organ Grinder's Swing
Jimmy Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Good old organ grinder Pete
He's the latest rhythm king
With his organ grinder's swing
Dadya, Pa swings it, so does Ma
Dadya, Ma swings it, so does Pa
Dadya, you swing it, so do I
Dadya, I swing it so do you
When he turns that handle down
Music goes around and 'round
Ev'rybody starts to sing
To that organ grinder's swing
Trala, Pa swings it, so does Ma
Trala, Ma swings it, so does Pa
Trala, you swing it, so do I
Trala, I swing it so do you
All the children tag along
Just to listen to his song
Monkey dancing on a string
To the organ grinder's swing
O-hum, Pa swings it, so does Ma
O-hum, Ma swings it, so does Pa
O-hum, you swing it, so do I
O-hum, I swing it so do you
The lyrics of Jimmy Smith's song "Organ Grinder's Swing" describe the arrival of the classic street performer of old time New York City, the organ grinder, and the joy he brings with his music. The lyrics express the infectious rhythm and the easy melody of the organ grinder's music, inviting everyone to swing and join in the fun. The repetition of the phrases "Dadya, Pa swings it, so does Ma" and "Trala, Pa swings it, so does Ma" creates a catchy chorus, emphasizing the communal experience of the music.
The second half of the lyrics introduces the spectacle that accompanies the organ grinder's performance, including children following him around, and the monkey dancing on a string. The description of the monkey illustrates the exotic and amusing nature of the organ grinder's act, adding to the overall jovial atmosphere. The song ends with a final call to join in the music, "O-hum, I swing it so do you", emphasizing that the organ grinder's music is not only for him, but for everyone who hears it.
Line by Line Meaning
Who's that coming down the street?
Who is that individual walking towards us on the street?
Good old organ grinder Pete
It is the well-known man who operates an organ grinder. His name is Pete.
He's the latest rhythm king
He is currently the most popular and successful music artist.
With his organ grinder's swing
He performs music by cranking a handle on his organ grinder.
Dadya, Pa swings it, so does Ma
Father and mother both enjoy the music and move their bodies in rhythm to it.
Dadya, Ma swings it, so does Pa
Mother and father both enjoy the music and move their bodies in rhythm to it.
Dadya, you swing it, so do I
Both you and I, as well as father and mother, enjoy the music and move our bodies in rhythm to it.
Dadya, I swing it so do you
Both you and I, as well as father and mother, enjoy the music and move our bodies in rhythm to it.
When he turns that handle down
When he cranks the handle on the organ grinder downwards.
Music goes around and 'round
The music starts playing and repeating in a continuous loop.
Ev'rybody starts to sing
Everyone starts to harmonize with the music.
To that organ grinder's swing
They sing along and enjoy the music created by the organ grinder.
Trala, Pa swings it, so does Ma
Father and mother both enjoy the music and move their bodies in rhythm to it.
Trala, Ma swings it, so does Pa
Mother and father both enjoy the music and move their bodies in rhythm to it.
Trala, you swing it, so do I
Both you and I, as well as father and mother, enjoy the music and move our bodies in rhythm to it.
Trala, I swing it so do you
Both you and I, as well as father and mother, enjoy the music and move our bodies in rhythm to it.
All the children tag along
All the children follow the organ grinder's music as he plays and walks around.
Just to listen to his song
They come to listen to the music created by the organ grinder.
Monkey dancing on a string
A monkey is attached to a string and is performing dance movements in accordance with the music.
To the organ grinder's swing
The monkey is dancing in accordance with the organ grinder's music.
O-hum, Pa swings it, so does Ma
Father and mother both enjoy the music and move their bodies in rhythm to it.
O-hum, Ma swings it, so does Pa
Mother and father both enjoy the music and move their bodies in rhythm to it.
O-hum, you swing it, so do I
Both you and I, as well as father and mother, enjoy the music and move our bodies in rhythm to it.
O-hum, I swing it so do you
Both you and I, as well as father and mother, enjoy the music and move our bodies in rhythm to it.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: IRVING MILLS, MITCHELL PARISH, WILL HUDSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dee Kneumann
In junior high school I shocked my Dad when I sold our Wurlitzer organ and bought an Hammond M3 just so I could learn this song. I wore out 2 LPs at half speed, trying to get every note and pause. I had it after 2 months. It taught me how to swing. Whew!
Carol Davis
Lucky to see him live in Camden Town, a night that will never be forgotten. He was simply superb and I have most of his albums.
Peterbill Transport
The greatest organ , pianist of them all rest in peace, you delivered best jazz.
Tom Riviere
This was the first time I ever heard B3 Hammond.I was hooked on this album for life.Still listen to it.
BackSeatHump
Me too!
Najponk Jazz
One and Only Jimmy Smith 🎹 INCREDIBLE JIMMY SMITH!!!! 🍹🎈🥃🗽🇺🇸🎹
William Locklear
In 1968 I spent my summer vacation from college as part of the "house band" at Pascal's La Carousel club on Hunter Street in Atlanta. When we weren't playing the club booked artists like Les McCann, Wes Montgomery and of course the great Jimmy Smith. Incidentally, the weekend of the Atlanta Jazz Festival occurred during Jimmy Smith's week at the club which resulted in La Carousel being THE place to be for the visiting performers. Hearing Hubert Laws, a still very young Herbie Hancock (on ORGAN!) and others sit in that week is a fantastic memory. Needless to say four college kids from north Georgia received an education in the art of jazz that was irreplaceable.
Brian G.
Love this man and the B3!
B3_Burner
This was the first Jimmy Smith song I ever heard at 17.
Antonio Ambrosino
Eccezionale..... é l'ultimo re del ritmo....