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.
Lord What a Morning
Les Baxter and His Orchestra Lyrics
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What makes you look so blue
The way that you've been acting
I don't know what to do
For I love you, sure as one and one make two
What's your story, morning glory
Got a feeling there's a lot you're concealing
So, won't you let me know your point of view
What is your story, morning glory
You've got me worried too
The postman came this morning
And left a note for you
Did you read it, then you know that I love you
What's your story, morning glory
Give your answer to this patient romancer
Oh, won't you tell me that you love me too
In "Lord What a Morning," the lyrics reveal a deep emotional interplay centered around a sense of concern and affection. The phrase "What's your story, morning glory" sets the tone, suggesting a familiar and intimate relationship where the singer engages with a loved one experiencing sorrow. The use of "morning glory" implies a sense of beauty, freshness, and potential that the morning symbolizes, while also highlighting a contrast with the apparent sadness or "blueness" of the subject. The singer's inquiries delve into the emotional turmoil present in the morning glory's demeanor, indicating a desire to understand the underlying issues affecting their loved one. There's a palpable tension within the relationship as the singer grapples with feelings of love alongside confusion, wanting to uncover what might be hidden beneath the surface.
The lyrics progress into a narrative where the singer reflects on recent events that have led to their love’s current state of being. With mentions of the postman and a note, the context shifts to a tangible representation of communication and perhaps miscommunication in their relationship. This note serves as a narrative device that hints at underlying sentiments, emphasizing that there is more to their story than what is openly expressed. It showcases the complexities of love where words spoken may not wholly encapsulate feelings felt. The singer’s worry grows in intensity, indicating that the morning glory isn't just physically present but emotionally distant, thus deepening the singer's concern and longing for clarity in their connection. It’s an exploration of communication barriers, where the singer feels the weight of unexpressed feelings while desperately wanting to bridge that gap.
The recurring refrain "What's your story, morning glory" elevates the emotional stakes and urges the listener to consider the deeper themes of vulnerability and openness within romantic relationships. The dialogue-like structure of the lyrics adds to the intimacy of the exchange, as if imploring the morning glory to share moments of doubt or anxiety that they might be grappling with in silence. The repetition conveys a yearning for reciprocity in love; the singer positions themselves not only as a concerned partner but as someone who desires an equal share of emotional honesty. This encapsulates the human need for reassurance in love, demonstrating how one person's internal turmoil can ripple through the emotional fabric of a relationship, creating an urgent need for connection and understanding.
Ultimately, the song captures a poignant moment of vulnerability, where the singer stands at an emotional intersection, waiting for the morning glory to articulate their feelings. They are portrayed as patient and hopeful, indicative of a deep bond that invites the listener to think about love's complexities. The singer's insistence on getting a response drives home the notion that love is not merely a solitary experience but requires engagement, dialogue, and a willingness to share one’s inner thoughts. The emotional depth of these lyrics resonates with anyone who has faced uncertainty in love, encapsulating the universal desire to be seen, understood, and ultimately loved. By the end, the urgency embedded in the lyrics serves as a reminder of the relational dynamics that often accompany love, beautifully intertwining hope, affection, and the emotional complexity of human relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
What's your story, morning glory
What is the reason behind your current demeanor, beautiful morning?
What makes you look so blue
What circumstances have led you to appear so sad and troubled?
The way that you've been acting
Your recent behavior has caught my attention and raises concerns.
I don't know what to do
I find myself at a loss for how to address the situation you are in.
For I love you, sure as one and one make two
My affection for you is undeniable and as certain as basic arithmetic.
What's your story, morning glory
What is the account of your feelings, lovely dawn?
Got a feeling there's a lot you're concealing
I sense that you are harboring many hidden emotions or thoughts.
So, won't you let me know your point of view
Please share your perspective with me; I wish to understand your feelings.
What is your story, morning glory
Can you tell me the narrative behind your emotions, beautiful morning?
You've got me worried too
Your distress has managed to evoke concern within me as well.
The postman came this morning
Earlier today, the mail carrier delivered something important.
And left a note for you
He dropped off a written message intended specifically for you.
Did you read it, then you know that I love you
If you have seen it, then you are aware of my deep feelings for you.
What's your story, morning glory
Can you share with me the truth behind your current mood, lovely morning?
Give your answer to this patient romancer
Please respond to me, a hopeful admirer who waits earnestly for your heart's response.
Oh, won't you tell me that you love me too
I long for you to express that you share my feelings of love as well.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL FRANCIS WEBSTER, JACK LAWRENCE, MARY LOU WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind