Donaldson attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro in the early 1940s. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was trained at the Great Lakes bases in Chicago, where he was introduced to bop music in the lively club scene there. At the war's conclusion, he returned to Greensboro, where he worked club dates with the Rhythm Vets, a combo composed of A and T students who had served in the U.S. Navy. The band recorded the soundtrack to a musical comedy featurette, "Pitch a Boogie Woogie," in Greenville, North Carolina, in the summer of 1947. The movie had a limited run at black audience theatres in 1948 but its production company, Lord-Warner Pictures, folded and never made another film. "Pitch a Boogie Woogie" was subsequently restored by the American Film Institute in 1985 and re-premiered on the campus of East Carolina University in Greenville the following year. Donaldson and the surviving members of the Vets performed a reunion concert after the film's showing. In the documentary made on "Pitch" by UNC-TV, "Boogie in Black and White", Donaldson and his musical cohorts recall the film's making—he originally believed that he had played clarinet on the soundtrack. A short piece of concert footage from a gig in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is included in the documentary.
Donaldson's first jazz recordings were with the Charlie Singleton Orchestra in 1950 and then with bop emissaries Milt Jackson and Thelonious Monk in 1952, and he participated in several small groups with other jazz luminaries such as trumpeter Blue Mitchell, pianist Horace Silver and drummer Art Blakey.
In 1953, he also recorded sessions with the trumpet virtuoso Clifford Brown, and Philly Joe Jones.
He was a member of Art Blakey's Quintet and appeared on some of their best regarded albums, including the two albums recorded at Birdland in February 1954 Night at Birdland.
Donaldson has recorded in the bop, hard bop, and soul jazz genres. For many years his pianist was Herman Foster.
He was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame on October 11, 2012.
Who's Making Love
Lou Donaldson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
while you're out on the road?
watch your nect door neighbor
The lyrics to Lou Donaldson's song "Who's Making Love" are about infidelity, specifically a woman cheating on her partner while he is away. The opening line "who's making love to your old lady" is a direct question to the listener or the subject of the song, asking who is having a sexual relationship with their partner while they are not around. This line sets the tone for the rest of the song, which focuses on suspicion and betrayal.
The second line "while you're out on the road" suggests that the person being addressed in the song is likely a musician or performer who is frequently traveling and away from home. The repetition of the line "watch your next door neighbor" is a warning to be vigilant and cautious when it comes to the people around them, implying that someone close to them may be taking advantage of their absence to pursue a romantic or sexual relationship with their partner.
The song's lyrics also touch on themes of jealousy, anger, and revenge. The chorus of the song, which repeats the question "who's making love to your old lady," suggests that the subject is consumed by thoughts of their partner being unfaithful and is determined to find out the truth. Overall, "Who's Making Love" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of letting one's guard down and the pain and heartbreak that can result from infidelity.
Line by Line Meaning
who's making love to your old lady while you're out on the road?
Who is having a romantic affair with your partner when you are away?
watch your next door neighbor
Be wary of the people living near you, as they might be involved in the affair.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bettye Jean Barnes Crutcher, Donald Davis, Homer Banks, Raymond E. Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tselangoeramothibe5340
The best music for me thanks
@Wally-H
Typical of Lou's sense of humour. Brilliant track
@rwyatt26
This Lou Donaldson album “Hot Dog” has some gems on it.
I see why him, Grant Green, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Bobbi Humphrey and Donald Byrd are the most sampled artists out of the Blue Note catalog!!! All these artists have used the legendary drummer Idris Muhammad (Leo Morris) on their recording sessions!!
@devone730
A Tribe Called Quest-Hot Sex On The Platter, One Of The Meanest Chops Ever, R.I.P. Phife Dawg, We All As Fans Love You, Gone But Never Forgotten!
@vincentthomas9817
Marley Marl and Craig G. Dropping science
@deanmiles-smith
I would love this and I know that universal Audio do great products. I have just never been able to afford one. Hopefully, the UA fairy will shine down on me today.
@taramsm
A bottle of wine and tasty cheese is keeping me in company while I'm grooving in my apartment totally alone. Life!!
@djkaneck1
"I'm droppin' science", Craig G and Marley Mal
@maazvdo
So much good !!!! Who's Making Love - Lou Donaldson
Thanks for posting,
RiqGz
@thijsschipper8879
love this :)