He began his career by playing trumpet and piano with New York City dance bands. He joined Bunny Berigan's band in 1935, then left to join Muggsy Spanier's Ragtime Band in 1939. From the late 1930s through to the late 1940s he also worked with Eddie Condon on records, radio and TV. After service in WWII he worked with Louis Armstrong and Benny Goodman.
He might be best known for co-writing "Oh! Look at Me Now", with John DeVries, when he worked in Tommy Dorsey's band. That song would become Frank Sinatra's first hit. In his 60s Bing Crosby ended Bushkin's semi-retirement with an offer for them to tour together.
Bushkin died in 2004.
One For My Baby
Joe Bushkin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Except you and me
So set 'em' up Joe, I got a little story
I think you should know
We're drinking my friend, to the end
Of a brief episode
Make it one for my baby
I know the routine, put another nickel
In the machine
I feel kind of bad, can't you make the music
Easy and sad
I could tell you a lot, but it's not
In a gentleman's code
Make it one for my baby
And one more for the road
You'd never know it, but buddy I'm a kind of poet
And I've got a lot of things I'd like to say
And if I'm gloomy, please listen to me
Till it's talked away
Well that's how it goes, and Joe I know your gettin'
Anxious to close
Thanks for the cheer
I hope you didn't mind
My bending your ear
But this torch that I found, It's gotta be drowned
Or it's gonna explode
Make it one for my baby
And one more for the road
The song "One for My Baby" by Joe Bushkin, also famously interpreted by Frank Sinatra, is a classic torch song that depicts a lonely man drowning his sorrows in a bar one late evening. The melancholic tone is set with the opening line "It's quarter to three, there's no one in the place except you and me". The singer, in the company of the bartender, Joe, seeks solace from the pain and longing he feels, by drinking himself into oblivion. He requests Joe to "set 'em up" for him, indicating that he doesn't intend to leave anytime soon, and further declares his intention to pay tribute to the memories of his past love by drinking "one for my baby and one more for the road".
There is a sense of nostalgia and regret that runs through the song, reflected in lines like "I know the routine, put another nickel in the machine", hinting at the singer trying to escape reality by listening to music. He admits to feeling bad, and pleads with Joe to "make the music easy and sad". The singer is self-aware, as he acknowledges that he could tell Joe a lot, but it's not really in a "gentleman's code". He paints a disheartening picture of himself, admitting that despite being a good talker, he can't hold on to his love. The song ends on a poignant note as he requests "one more for my baby" as he prepares to face life's journey without love.
Line by Line Meaning
It's quarter to three, there's no one in the place
It's three in the morning, and the bar is empty except for me.
Except you and me
The only two people in the bar are me and the bartender, Joe.
So set 'em' up Joe, I got a little story
Bartender, Joe, please pour us some drinks, because I want to tell you a story.
I think you should know
I need to share this story with you, Joe.
We're drinking my friend, to the end
We're drinking together, my friend, until the end of this moment or until we're done with our drinks.
Of a brief episode
We're drinking to mark a short moment in time.
Make it one for my baby
Pour a drink for me, as I have a heavy heart.
And one more for the road
Pour another drink, because I am leaving soon and I may not be back here.
I know the routine, put another nickel
I am familiar with the routine, such as asking the bartender to play a song on the jukebox using a nickel.
In the machine
On the jukebox.
I feel kind of bad, can't you make the music
I feel sad, can you please pick a soft and melancholic song?
Easy and sad
Can you play a song that's easy to listen to, and yet sad?
I could tell you a lot, but it's not
I could share a lot of things with you, but I know it's against the unspoken code for being a gentleman to unload one's troubles on a bartender.
In a gentleman's code
In the unwritten rules of being a gentleman.
You'd never know it, but buddy I'm a kind of poet
You wouldn't guess, but I am a bit of a poet, my friend.
And I've got a lot of things I'd like to say
I have many things that I want to express.
And if I'm gloomy, please listen to me
If I seem sad, please hear me out and be a good listener for me.
Till it's talked away
Until I have talked through all my troubles and feel better.
Well that's how it goes, and Joe I know your gettin'
That's just how it happens, Joe, and I know you are ready to close up the bar.
Anxious to close
Looking forward to closing time.
Thanks for the cheer
Thank you for your kindness and for being there for me to talk to.
I hope you didn't mind
I hope that my venting wasn't a bother or inconvenience for you.
My bending your ear
My talking to you and unloading my concerns onto you.
But this torch that I found, It's gotta be drowned
However, the flame of this passion must be extinguished.
Or it's gonna explode
Or else it will burn out of control and cause even greater damage.
Make it one for my baby
Pour me one last drink, to mark the end of this emotionally charged night.
And one more for the road
And one for the road, to steady my nerves as I move towards the future.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind