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.
Why Was I Born
Johnny Hodges Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With nothing to do
But to live in dreams that I make up
All by myself
Dreaming that you're beside me
I picture the prettiest stories
Only to wake up
What is the good of me by myself?
Why was I born
Why am I living
What do I get
What am I giving
Why do I want a thing
I daren't hope for
What can I hope for
I wish I knew
Why do I try
To draw you near me
Why do I do I cry
You never hear me
I'm a poor fool
But what can I do
Why was I born
To love you
I'm a poor fool
But what can I do
Why was I born
To love you
The lyrics of Johnny Hodges's song 'Why Was I Born' express the feelings of a person who spends their lonely evenings in a world of their own dreams. The person is alone and has nothing to do except to imagine stories and dreams where they see their beloved beside them. However, in reality, they wake up alone and are left with unanswered questions about their existence. The lyrics convey a sense of hopelessness and despair as the person wonders why they were born and what their purpose in life is.
The lyrics further explore the reason behind the person's despair and self-doubt. They question why they want things that they know they cannot attain and why they try to draw the attention of their love interest, who never seems to hear them. The lyrics conclude with the person admitting their foolishness but unable to change their feelings towards their beloved. They question the reason behind their existence and why they were born to love someone who may never reciprocate their feelings.
Overall, the lyrics of 'Why Was I Born' deeply explore the feelings of loneliness, self-doubt, and despair. They question the purpose of one's existence and the reason behind unrequited love, leaving listeners with a sense of melancholy.
Line by Line Meaning
Spending these lonesome evenings
With nothing to do
But to live in dreams that I make up
All by myself
Every evening I am alone with no tasks, and my only activity is to create dreams in my mind, all alone.
Dreaming that you're beside me
I picture the prettiest stories
Only to wake up
All by myself
I dream that you are close to me, and my imagination constructs beautiful stories, but when I wake up, I am alone.
What is the good of me by myself?
I contemplate the value of my existence when I am by myself.
Why was I born
Why am I living
What do I get
What am I giving
I ponder the purpose of my birth and current existence, what I have gained from life, and what I have contributed to the world.
Why do I want a thing
I daren't hope for
What can I hope for
I wish I knew
I have a desire that I cannot realistically expect to attain, and I am uncertain about what is possible for me to hope for.
Why do I try
To draw you near me
Why do I do I cry
You never hear me
I attempt to bring you closer to me, and I express my emotions through tears, but you never acknowledge or respond to me.
I'm a poor fool
But what can I do
Why was I born
To love you
I feel foolish for loving you despite the pain it brings me, but I cannot control my emotions, as if loving you is my predetermined fate.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind