Hampton was born on 20th April 1908 in Louisville, Kentucky, but moved to Chicago as a child, where he began his career as a drummer. He relocated to Los Angeles to play drums in Les Hite's band. They soon became the house band for Frank Sebastian's New Cotton Club, a popular L.A. jazz club.
During a 1930 recording date in the NBC studios in L.A., Louis Armstrong discovered a vibraphone. He asked Hampton if he could play it. Hampton, who knew how to play the xylophone, tried it and they agreed to record a few records with Hamp on vibes. Hampton is credited with popularizing the vibraphone as a jazz instrument.
In the mid-1930s, the Benny Goodman Orchestra came to Los Angeles to play the Palomar Ballroom. John Hammond brought Goodman to see Hampton play. Goodman asked Hampton to move to New York City and join Goodman, Teddy Wilson, and Gene Krupa who'd already formed a Benny Goodman Trio within the large band - to expand into the Benny Goodman Quartet. The Trio and Quartet were among the first racially integrated bands to record and play before wide audiences; they were just as well received at Goodman's famous 1938 Carnegie Hall concert as was the full Goodman band.
While Hampton worked for Goodman in New York, he recorded with several different small groups known as the Lionel Hampton Orchestra as well as assorted small groups within the Goodman band. In the early 40s he left the Goodman organization to form his own touring band.
Hampton's band fostered the talents of Illinois Jacquet, Dexter Gordon, Ernie Royal, Jack McVea, Charlie Mingus, Monk Montgomery, Wes Montgomery, Quincy Jones, Benny Golson, Fats Navarro, Kenny Dorham, Clifford Brown, Dinah Washington, Betty Carter, Joe Williams, Arnett Cobb, Earl Bostic, and John Colianni among many others.
Hampton's recording of "Flying Home" (1939) with the famous honking tenor sax solo by Jacquet, later refined and expanded by Cobb (1946), is considered by some to be the first rock and roll record. He was known for his tireless energy and his skill on the vibes, drums, and lightning speed two-fingered piano. The bars on the vibraphone are laid out like the piano; Hampton played both instruments the same way.
Beginning in the mid-1980s, Hampton and his band started playing at the University of Idaho's jazz concert, which in 1985 was renamed the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. In 1987 the University's music college was renamed the Lionel Hampton School of Music, the first and only university music college to be named after a jazz musician.
Lionel Hampton died of cardiac arrest at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York on 31st August 2002. He was buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, New York.
I Can't Get Started
Lionel Hampton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Settled revolutions in Spain
The North Pole I have charted
But can't get started with you
And at the golf course I'm under par
Metro-Goldwyn wants me to star
I've got a house and a show place
But can't get no place with you
You're so supreme
The lyrics I write of you
Dream, dream, day and night of you
Scheme just for the sight of you
Baby but what good dose it do
I've been consulted by Franklin D.
Even Gabel had me to tea
But now I'm broken hearted
Can't get started with you
You're so supreme
The lyrics I write of you
Dream, dream, day and night of you
Scheme just for the sight of you
But what good does it do
I've been consulted by Franklin D.
Even Basic had me to tea
But now I'm broken hearted
Can't get started with you
The main theme of Lionel Hampton's song "I Can't Get Started" is unrequited love - the singer is hopelessly in love with someone who is supremely unattainable. The first verse sets the scene: the singer has been all over the world, achieved great things, but when it comes to the object of his affection, he can't seem to make any headway. The second verse reinforces this idea by highlighting how the singer is successful in many areas of his life - he's a great golfer, he's been approached by Hollywood, and he has a beautiful home, but none of these things matter because he can't win the love of the person he desires.
The chorus is where the singer bares his soul - he can't stop thinking about this person, to the point where he dreams of them day and night, and can't focus on anything else. The line "scheme just for the sight of you" is particularly poignant; the idea that the singer is constantly plotting and planning just to see his beloved shows just how desperate he is. The final verse brings in historical figures to further emphasize the point - even presidents and dignitaries have sought out the singer's expertise, but none of that matters anymore because he can't get started with the person he loves.
Overall, "I Can't Get Started" is a melancholy yet beautiful tribute to unrequited love, highlighting the pain and desperation that can come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been around the world in a plane
I've traveled far and wide, exploring new places and experiencing different cultures.
Settled revolutions in Spain
I played an instrumental role in bringing peace and stability to a country marred by conflict.
The North Pole I have charted
I've accomplished great feats, even venturing to extreme and dangerous locations like the North Pole.
But can't get started with you
Despite all my achievements, I can't seem to make any progress with you, the one I desire.
And at the golf course I'm under par
Even in leisure activities like golf, where being under par is a positive thing, I'm still not satisfied because I can't win over your heart.
Metro-Goldwyn wants me to star
I'm so accomplished that even big Hollywood studios like Metro-Goldwyn want me to be a star.
I've got a house and a show place
My wealth and success are evident in my luxurious home and impressive showplace.
But can't get no place with you
Despite my material possessions and status, I still can't seem to win over your affection or attention.
You're so supreme
You are of the highest quality, the best of the best.
The lyrics I write of you
My songs are all about you, inspired by your greatness.
Dream, dream, day and night of you
I can't stop thinking about you, even in my dreams both day and night.
Scheme just for the sight of you
I'll do anything, even make elaborate plans, just to catch a glimpse of you.
Baby but what good does it do
Despite my constant thoughts and efforts, it seems like nothing is changing between us.
I've been consulted by Franklin D.
Even esteemed political figures like Franklin D. Roosevelt consult with me and value my opinions.
Even Gabel had me to tea
Even high society elites like Gabel invite me to their social gatherings.
But now I'm broken hearted
Despite my successes, my heart is broken because I can't have you.
Can't get started with you
I'm at a standstill and unable to progress in any way with you.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IRA GERSHWIN, VERNON DUKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Neil McKillop
Love the reed section!!