Burrell made his first recording in 1951, with Dizzy Gillespie. After moving from Detroit to New York City in 1956, he recorded with a wide range of prominent musicians, including John Coltrane, Benny Goodman, Gil Evans, Stan Getz, Billie Holiday, Milt Jackson, Quincy Jones, Oscar Peterson, Sonny Rollins, Jimmy Smith, Stanley Turrentine, and Cedar Walton. He also led his own groups since 1951.
In the 1970s he began leading seminars about music, particularly Duke Ellington's (Burrell has a music degree from Wayne State University). A highly popular performer, he has won several jazz polls in Japan and the United Kingdom as well as the United States.
He has recorded about 40 LPs, including Midnight Blue (1961), Blue Lights, Guitar Forms, Sunup To Sundown (1990), Soft Winds (1993), Then Along Came Kenny (1993), and Lotus Blossom (1995).
Burrell now serves as Director of Jazz Studies at UCLA.
Gee Baby Ain't I Good to You
Kenny Burrell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The way that I do
Gee baby, ain't I good to you
There's nothing in this whole world too good
For a boy so sweet and true
Gee, baby ain't I good to you
Bought you a fur coat for Christmas
Diamond ring
Big Cadillac car and everything
What makes me treat you
The way that I do
Gee baby, ain't I good to you
In this classic jazz tune, Kenny Burrell sings about the things he does for his significant other as a result of his love for them. He asks the rhetorical question "Gee baby, ain't I good to you?" as a way of highlighting the lengths he goes to in order to show his love and affection. The song's opening lines, "Love makes me treat you the way that I do," speak to the impact that love can have on a person's behavior and actions towards their partner. Throughout the song, Burrell lists different things he has done for his lover, such as buying them a fur coat, diamond ring, and a Cadillac, as a way of emphasizing the extent of his love and devotion.
The song's lyrics also point to the idea that Burrell's lover deserves nothing but the best, and that he is more than happy to provide this for them. He sings "There's nothing in this whole world too good for a boy so sweet and true," which suggests that he sees his lover in the highest regard and would do anything to make them happy. Ultimately, "Gee Baby Ain't I Good to You" is a love song that speaks to the love and devotion that one can feel towards their partner and the lengths they are willing to go to show it.
Line by Line Meaning
Love makes me treat you
My affection for you influences the way I behave towards you
The way that I do
My actions towards you are a result of my emotional attachment
Gee baby, ain't I good to you
I hope you recognize and appreciate the effort I put into our relationship
There's nothing in this whole world too good
I believe you deserve the very best things in life
For a boy so sweet and true
Because you are such a kind and honest person
Gee, baby ain't I good to you
I hope you understand how much I value you
Bought you a fur coat for Christmas
I purchased a luxurious gift to show my love for you during the holiday season
Diamond ring
I gave you a precious piece of jewelry as a symbol of our commitment to each other
Big Cadillac car and everything
I provide you with material possessions to make your life easier and more enjoyable
What makes me treat you
I am reflecting on my own behavior and trying to understand why it is the way it is
The way that I do
My actions are guided by my feelings for you
Gee baby, ain't I good to you
I am expressing my appreciation for you and our relationship
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: Andy Razaf, Don Redman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind