Hodges was apparently aware of this effect, leaving the Ellington orchestra in the 1950's, to be replaced by the stellar alto man, Willie Smith, formerly the lead alto star of the Jimmy Lunceford Orchestra. This situation somehow benefitted neither Ellington or Hodges, with the Ellington orchestra losing a certain luster despite Mr. Smith's excellence, and with major stardom just beyond Mr. Hodges' reach.
Luckily for the listener the recordings Mr. Hodges left behind as a leader, while arguably eluding stardom for the artist at the time, are nonpareil examples of relaxed swing, subtle inflection and perfect phrasing, peerless tone and seemingly effortless technique. More luck for the listener, Mr. Hodges later rejoined the Ellington fold, returning a signature sound to the orchestra's unique palette for many years after.
It has been reported that the Ellington orchestra worked nearly 365 days a year. When asked about this grueling schedule Mr. Ellington said something to the effect that he would settle for nothing less than the finest artists for his orchestra. What with the necessarily high salaries accorded an orchestra of virtuosos, the band had to work often in order to survive. Certainly no one in the Ellington orchestra more exemplified Mr. Ellington's highest standards than Johhny Hodges.
But Not for Me
Johnny Hodges Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never tell me dreams come true
Just try it and I'll start a riot
Beatrice Fairfax don't you dare
Ever tell me he will care
I'm certain it's the final curtain
I never want to hear from any cheerful Pollyannas
Who tell you fate supplies a mate
They're writing songs of love but not for me
A lucky star's above but not for me
With love to lead the way I've found more clouds of gray
Than any Russian play could guarantee
I was a fool to fall and get that way
Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day
Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss
I guess he's not for me
I was a fool to fall and get that way
Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day
Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss
"But Not for Me" is a song performed by Johnny Hodges, with lyrics that paint a picture of disillusionment and heartbreak. The lyrics speak to the singer's skepticism towards love and their belief that dreams and happy endings are not meant for them. The song begins with a defiance against those who try to convince them otherwise, rejecting the idea of finding love and dismissing it as a fantasy. The mention of Beatrice Fairfax, who was a famous advice columnist in the early 1900s, adds a touch of sarcasm, suggesting that even well-known sources of guidance cannot convince them otherwise.
The lyrics continue with a sense of resigned acceptance, acknowledging that songs of love may exist, but they are not meant for the singer. They express the feeling of constantly encountering disappointment and gray clouds in their pursuit of love, comparing it to the somber tone of Russian plays. The singer reflects on their past mistake of falling in love and finding themselves in a state of longing and melancholy. Despite the lingering memory of a kiss, they ultimately conclude that this person is not meant for them, further solidifying their belief that love is elusive and unattainable.
Line by Line Meaning
Old man sunshine listen you
Hey, Mr. Sun, pay attention
Never tell me dreams come true
Don't try to convince me that dreams can actually come true
Just try it and I'll start a riot
If you dare to try and make me believe, I'll create chaos and unrest
Beatrice Fairfax don't you dare
Beatrice Fairfax, don't you even think about
Ever tell me he will care
Telling me that he will care one day
I'm certain it's the final curtain
I'm convinced that this is the end of the line
I never want to hear from any cheerful Pollyannas
I have no interest in listening to optimistic people
Who tell you fate supplies a mate
People who believe that destiny will provide them with a soulmate
It's all bananas
It's all ridiculous and absurd
They're writing songs of love but not for me
They may be composing love songs, but none of them are meant for me
A lucky star's above but not for me
Although there may be a fortunate star shining in the sky, its luck doesn't reach me
With love to lead the way I've found more clouds of gray
Even with love supposedly guiding me, I've encountered more sadness and gloom
Than any Russian play could guarantee
Even more than any tragic Russian play could promise
I was a fool to fall and get that way
I admit that I was foolish to let myself fall into that state of mind
Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day
Expressing a sense of regret, sorrow, and disappointment
Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss
Despite not being able to forget the memory of his kiss
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SELMER B.Action
No words are good enough to speak about Johnny Hodges
Karin Siöland
Oh Dear Angel Johnny Hodges. Impossible not to love this fantastic Music. It´s for me!
William Stevens
arthur prysock
Simon Jelffs
Beautiful..!!
delfin office
ungrande ricamatore di melodia ....eccellente
joao claude van damme
The best
Carlos Cascon Poveda
bueno bueno
fusabue
couldn't be more elegant
jhas888
But those longihairs simply cannot SWING!
jazmaan
I've heard worse - the Kenton band for instance. But the Verve liner notes insist this was not intended to be a jazz album. Horst Jankowski, the pianist, was #1 on the US "Easy Listening" charts with "A Walk in the Black Forest". Whatever genre you want to put this in, I actually enjoy it more than most of the "Bird with Strings" sessions. (Not comparing Bird with Hodges, but just comparing the other musicians and arrangments.)