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.
On Green Dolphin Street
Johnny Hodges Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A man, a maid, a kiss, and then goodbye
Romance was the theme
And we were the players
I never think of this without a sigh
Lover, one lovely day
Love came, planning to stay
The setting for nights beyond forgetting
And through these moments apart memories live in my heart
When I recall the love I found on
I could kiss the ground on Green Dolphin Street
Lover, one lovely day
Love came, planning to stay
Green Dolphin Street supplied the setting
The setting for nights beyond forgetting
And through these moments apart memories live in my heart
When I recall the love I found on
On Green Dolphin Street
In Johnny Hartman's song "On Green Dolphin Street," the lyrics convey a dreamy yet melancholic mood as the singer reminisces about a love affair that took place in the past. The opening lines make it clear that the memories of this love affair still haunt the singer, as he describes it as if it was a dream but acknowledges that it actually happened. The couple's romance is highlighted as the central theme of the song, with the singer and his lover playing the leading roles. Despite the memories being bittersweet, the singer can't forget the love he found on Green Dolphin Street.
The chorus of the song repeats that "lover, one lovely day, love came planning to stay." Here, the singer describes how he met his lover and how they planned to stay together. The setting is also important as Green Dolphin Street is mentioned as the place where they fell in love. The street serves as a backdrop to "nights beyond forgetting" that the singer treasures in his memories. The memories of their love keep the singer's heart warm and let him recall the love he found on Green Dolphin Street.
Line by Line Meaning
It seems like a dream, yet I know it happened
Although it feels like a distant memory, I am certain that it truly occurred
A man, a maid, a kiss, and then goodbye
The relationship was fleeting and ended with a bittersweet farewell after a romantic moment
Romance was the theme
The love and passion between the two individuals was the central focus
And we were the players
The two individuals played their roles in the romantic story
I never think of this without a sigh
The memories of the love story bring a sense of longing and nostalgia
Lover, one lovely day
Addressing the lost love as 'Lover' on the day they first met
Love came, planning to stay
The love between them was strong and intended to be a lasting commitment
Green Dolphin Street supplied the setting
The location of their romantic encounter was on Green Dolphin Street
The setting for nights beyond forgetting
The memories of their time together were unforgettable
And through these moments apart memories live in my heart
Despite being apart, the memories of their love live on in the artist's heart
When I recall the love I found on
When reminiscing about the love they shared on
I could kiss the ground on Green Dolphin Street
The artist has a deep affection for the location where they fell in love and holds it in high regard
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Tratore
Written by: BRONISLAW KAPER, NED WASHINGTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind