Baxter studied piano at the Detroit Conservatory before moving to Los Angeles for further studies at Pepperdine College. Abandoning a concert career as a pianist, he turned to popular music as a singer. At the age of 23 he joined Mel Tormé's Mel-Tones, singing on Artie Shaw records such as "What Is This Thing Called Love?".
Baxter then turned to arranging and conducting for Capitol Records in 1950, and was credited with the early Nat King Cole hits, "Mona Lisa" and "Too Young", but both were actually orchestrated by Nelson Riddle.[1] (In later releases of the recordings the credit was corrected to Riddle.[citation needed]) Not a uncommon practice these days: Baxter himself had arranged Nat King Cole's "Nature Boy" in 1947 for a recording conducted by Frank De Vol. In 1953 he scored his first film, the sailing travelogue Tanga Tika. With his own orchestra, he released a number of hits including "Ruby" (1953), "Unchained Melody" (1955) and "The Poor People Of Paris" (1956). The latter recording sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc.[2]He also achieved success with concept albums of his own orchestral suites: Le Sacre Du Sauvage, Festival Of The Gnomes, Ports Of Pleasure, and Brazil Now, the first three for Capitol and the fourth on Gene Norman's Crescendo label. The list of musicians on these recordings includes Plas Johnson and Clare Fischer.
Baxter also wrote the "Whistle" theme from the TV show Lassie.
Baxter did not restrict his activities to recording. As he once told Soundtrack! magazine, "I never turn anything down".
In the 1960s, he formed the Balladeers, a besuited and conservative folk group that at one time featured a young David Crosby.[citation needed] He operated in radio as musical director of The Halls of Ivy and the Bob Hope and Abbott and Costello shows.
Like his counterparts Henry Mancini, Lalo Schifrin and James Horner, Baxter later worked for the film industries from 1960s to 70s. He worked on movie soundtracks for American International Pictures where he composed and conducted scores for Roger Corman's Edgar Allan Poe films and other horror stories and teenage musicals, including The Pit and the Pendulum, Panic in Year Zero!, Beach Party, The Comedy of Terrors,The Dunwich Horror, and Frogs. Howard W. Koch recalled that Baxter composed, orchestrated, and recorded the entire score of The Yellow Tomahawk (1954) in a total of three hours for $5,000.[3]
With less soundtrack work in the 1980s, he scored music for theme parks and SeaWorlds. In the 1990s, Baxter was widely celebrated, alongside Martin Denny and the Arthur Lyman Group, as one of the progenitors of what had become known as the "exotica" movement. In his 1996 appreciation for Wired magazine, writer David Toop remembered Baxter thus:
"Baxter offered package tours in sound, selling tickets to sedentary tourists who wanted to stroll around some taboo emotions before lunch, view a pagan ceremony, go wild in the sun or conjure a demon, all without leaving home hi-fi comforts in the white suburbs".
Baxter has a motion picture star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6314 Hollywood Blvd.
A White Sport Coat
Les Baxter and His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm all dressed up for the dance
A white sport coat and a pink carnation
I'm all alone in romance
Once you told me long ago
To the prom with me you'd go
Now you've changed your mind, it seems
A white (a white)
Sport coat (sport coat)
And a pink carnation
And in a blue, blue mood
A white
Sport coat
And a pink carnation
I'm all dressed up for the dance
A white
Sport coat
And a pink carnation
I'm all alone in romance
Once you told me long ago
To the prom with me you'd go
Now you've changed your mind it seems
Someone else will hold my dreams
A white (a white)
Sport coat (sport coat)
And a pink carnation
And in a blue, blue mood
The lyrics to "A White Sport Coat" by Les Baxter and His Orchestra tell a poignant story of heartbreak and disappointment. The singer is depicted as being dressed up in a white sport coat and a pink carnation, presumably for a dance or a special occasion. This attire symbolizes a sense of formality and elegance, suggesting that the character is ready to make an impression and possibly seeking a romantic connection.
However, despite being dressed to impress, the singer finds themselves alone in romance. This loneliness is emphasized by the repetition of the line "I'm all alone in romance," indicating a deep sense of isolation and longing for companionship. The contrast between the character's outward appearance of being dressed up and the inner loneliness they feel creates a poignant and bittersweet tone.
The lyrics also touch upon a past promise or invitation that was made by someone to attend a prom together. The singer recalls being told long ago that this person would go to the prom with them, only to be disappointed when the individual changes their mind. This betrayal of trust and abandonment of plans reflects the theme of unrequited love and shattered dreams, as the singer now must face the reality that someone else will be fulfilling the role of their companion at the event.
The mention of being in a "blue, blue mood" further reinforces the character's emotional state of sadness and melancholy. The use of the color blue traditionally symbolizes sadness or feeling downcast, adding another layer of depth to the singer's inner turmoil. Overall, "A White Sport Coat" conveys a sense of heartache, missed opportunities, and the harsh realities of unfulfilled promises in the realm of romance.
Line by Line Meaning
A white sport coat and a pink carnation
Dressing up in fancy clothes to make a good impression
I'm all dressed up for the dance
Ready to charm and impress at the event
I'm all alone in romance
Feeling lonely and rejected in matters of love
Once you told me long ago
In the past, you promised me something
To the prom with me you'd go
You agreed to accompany me to a special event
Now you've changed your mind, it seems
You have decided differently now
Someone else will hold my dreams
My hopes and aspirations are now in someone else's hands
A white (a white)
A symbol of purity and innocence
Sport coat (sport coat)
A formal jacket for a special occasion
And in a blue, blue mood
Feeling sad and melancholic
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Marty Robbins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@FactsVerse
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@lovineveryminuetofit1314
Yes, just not a fan of yours 🤷♀️
@gloknor
Not quite the actual story now is it.
@ShawnVielee
Why is there a fake thumbnail 🙄
@voyager202000
Still regarded as the most class act of not only kindness, but selflessness ever shown when most people would win at all costs, she wanted to share the wealth with everyone! If we only had a few more million like Nura on the planet!
@CuriousGoodsJessica
That woman deserves immense respect for being not only a veteran but also being incredibly kind hearted and considerate! Why isn't this great stuff publicized more, instead of all the hateful things that happen?
@tomunderwood238
Socialist activity reported.....gpod, sometimes we need it.
@_Lords_7
A people divided are a people conquered. 🙏💞✌️
@maryclay2882
Because the world feeds off negativity. She truly has a good heart. I Salute her. ❤️❤️❤️
@runewolf77
Because people want to hear bad news! ☹