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.
Don't Get Around Much Any More
Johnny Hodges Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heard they crowded the floor
Couldn't bear it without you
Don't get around much anymore
Though I'd visit the club
Got as far as the door
They'd have asked me about you
Darling, I guess my mind's more at ease
But nevertheless why stir up memories?
Been invited on dates
Might have gone but what for?
Awf'lly diff'rent without you
Don't get around much anymore
The song, Don't Get Around Much Any More by Johnny Hodges, is about a man who used to enjoy going out and socializing, but has stopped doing so because he misses his lover. The first verse sets the scene where the singer missed the Saturday dance and heard the crowd was exciting, but he could not enjoy it because the person he loves was not there by his side. The second verse shows how he struggles to even visit the club as he knows the questions he will be asked about his absence, and he wonders why he would do that to himself when he is missing her so much.
The chorus shows the singer realizing that his mind is at ease without her, but he doesn't want to stir up any memories. He acknowledges that he has been invited on dates, but without his lover, it wouldn't be the same, so he demurs. The song's theme is the familiar one of missing a lover, and it's done in a surprisingly uplifting way, with Hodges's saxophone creating a jaunty, jaunty tone.
Line by Line Meaning
Missed the Saturday dance
I didn't go to the dance on Saturday
Heard they crowded the floor
I heard it was very crowded
Couldn't bear it without you
I couldn't stand being there without you
Don't get around much anymore
I don't go out much anymore
Though I'd visit the club
Even though I wanted to go to the club
Got as far as the door
I only made it to the entrance
They'd have asked me about you
People would have asked me about you
Darling, I guess my mind's more at ease
I feel more at peace, my mind is calm
But nevertheless why stir up memories?
But why bring back memories and emotions?
Been invited on dates
I've been asked out on dates
Might have gone but what for?
I could have gone, but what's the point?
Awf'lly diff'rent without you
It's really different without you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON, BOB RUSSELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind