Coming to prominence in the 1920s as an inventive trumpet and cornet player, Armstrong was a foundational influence in jazz, shifting the focus of the music from collective improvisation to solo performance. With his instantly-recognizable gravelly voice, Armstrong was also an influential singer, demonstrating great dexterity as an improviser, bending the lyrics and melody of a song for expressive purposes. He was also skilled at scat singing (vocalizing using sounds and syllables instead of actual lyrics).
Renowned for his charismatic stage presence and voice almost as much as for his trumpet-playing, Armstrong's influence extends well beyond jazz music, and by the end of his career in the 1960s, he was widely regarded as a profound influence on popular music in general. Armstrong was one of the first truly popular African-American entertainers to "cross over", whose skin-color was secondary to his music in an America that was severely racially divided. He rarely publicly politicized his race, often to the dismay of fellow African-Americans, but took a well-publicized stand for desegregation during the Little Rock Crisis. His artistry and personality allowed him socially acceptable access to the upper echelons of American society that were highly restricted for a black man.
Armstrong was born and brought up in New Orleans, a culturally diverse town with a unique musical mix of creole, ragtime, marching bands, and blues. Although from an early age he was able to play music professionally, he didn't travel far from New Orleans until 1922, when he went to Chicago to join his mentor, King Oliver. Oliver's band played primitive jazz, a hotter style of ragtime, with looser rhythms and more improvisation, and Armstrong's role was mostly backing. Slow to promote himself, he was eventually persuaded by his wife Lil Hardin to leave Oliver, and In 1924 he went to New York to join the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra. At the time, there were a few other artists using the rhythmic innovations of the New Orleans style, but none did it with the energy and brilliance of Armstrong, and he quickly became a sensation among New York musicians. Back in Chicago in 1925, he made his first recordings with his own group, Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five, and these became not only popular hits but also models for the first generation of jazz musicians, trumpeters or otherwise.
Other hits followed through the twenties and thirties, as well as troubles: crooked managers, lip injuries, mob entanglements, failed big-band ventures. As jazz styles changed, though, musical purists never lost any respect for him -- although they were sometimes irritated by his hammy onstage persona. Around the late forties, with the help of a good manager, Armstrong's business affairs finally stablilized, and he began to be seen as an elder statesman of American popular entertainment, appearing in Hollywood films, touring Asia and Europe, and dislodging The Beatles from the number-one position with Hello Dolly". Today many people may know him as a singer (a good one), but as Miles Davis said: “You can’t play nothing on modern trumpet that doesn’t come from him."
The 62-year-old Armstrong became the oldest act to top the US charts when "Hello Dolly" reached #1 in 1964. Four years later Satchmo also became the oldest artist to record a UK #1, when "What a Wonderful World" hit the top spot.
Hello Dolly
Louis Armstrong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is Louis, Dolly
It's so nice to have you back where you belong
You're lookin' swell, Dolly
I can tell, Dolly
You're still glowin', you're still crowin'
You're still goin' strong
I feel the room swayin'
One of our old favorite songs from way back when
So take her wrap, fellas find her an empty lap, fellas
Dolly'll never go away again
I feel the room swayin'
While the band's playin'
One of our old favorite songs from way back when
So golly, gee, fellas
Have a little faith in me, fellas
Dolly'll never go away
Promise you'll never go away
Dolly'll never go away again
Louis Armstrong's song "Hello, Dolly" is a beautiful and heartwarming ode to the character Dolly Levi from the musical of the same name. In the first verse, Louis greets Dolly and expresses his joy to have her back "where she belongs." He compliments her looks, exclaiming that she is "still glowin', still crowin', still goin' strong."
The second verse conjures up a scene of a crowded room where the band is playing an old favorite song. Louis feels the room swaying and joins the fun. He beckons the gentlemen in the crowd to find Dolly a seat, assuring them that she will never go away again. In the final verse, Louis asks the gentlemen to have faith in him and promises that Dolly will never leave again.
The song is a tribute to the enduring power of friendship and love, and the importance of cherishing those special people in our lives. It is an upbeat and catchy tune that spreads joy and positivity, and it has resonated with audiences worldwide for decades.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello, Dolly
Louis Armstrong is greeting Dolly with the famous catchphrase of the show that she stars in.
This is Louis, Dolly
Louis Armstrong is introducing himself to Dolly, reminding her of who he is.
It's so nice to have you back where you belong
Louis Armstrong is expressing his happiness to see Dolly back to where she truly belongs - on stage performing.
You're lookin' swell, Dolly
Louis Armstrong is complimenting Dolly on how great she looks tonight.
I can tell, Dolly
Louis Armstrong is confident in his ability to recognize and appreciate Dolly's elegance and beauty.
You're still glowin', you're still crowin'
Louis Armstrong is acknowledging Dolly's glowing personality and loud voice that she is known for when performing.
You're still goin' strong
Louis Armstrong believes that Dolly is still performing at the top of her game and has not lost any of her talent or energy over the years.
I feel the room swayin'
Louis Armstrong is feeling the energy and excitement of the room as Dolly performs on stage.
While the band's playin'
Louis Armstrong is enjoying the upbeat music of the band as they play one of their old favorite songs from way back when.
One of our old favorite songs from way back when
Louis Armstrong and Dolly share a special connection to a song that they both enjoy listening to and performing.
So take her wrap, fellas find her an empty lap, fellas
Louis Armstrong empowers the men in the audience to take care of Dolly and make sure that she is comfortable while she performs.
Dolly'll never go away again
Louis Armstrong promises that Dolly will not disappear from the stage again and will continue to perform for her fans.
So golly, gee, fellas
Louis Armstrong is expressing surprise and excitement that Dolly is back on stage tonight.
Have a little faith in me, fellas
Louis Armstrong is asking the men in the audience to trust him and his judgement in ensuring that Dolly has a great performance tonight.
Promise you'll never go away
Louis Armstrong is pleading with Dolly to make a promise that she will not disappear from the stage again anytime soon.
Dolly'll never go away again
Louis Armstrong is making a final promise to his fans that Dolly will continue to perform and entertain them for years to come.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jerry Herman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kkkm797
Hello, Dolly
This is Louis, Dolly
It's so nice to have you back where you belong
You're lookin' swell, Dolly
I can tell, Dolly
You're still glowin'...you're still crowin'
You're still goin' strong
I feel the room swayin'
While the band's playin'
One of our old favourite songs from way back when
So take her wrap, fellas find her an empty lap, fellas
Dolly'll never go away again
Hello, Dolly
Well, hello, Dolly
It's so nice to have you back where you belong
You're lookin' swell, Dolly
I can tell, Dolly
You're still glowin'...you're still crowin'
You're still goin' strong
I feel the room swayin'
While the band keeps on playin'
One of our old favourite songs from way back when
So...golly, gee, fellas
Have a little faith in me, fellas
Dolly'll never go away
I said she'll never go away
Dolly'll never go away again
@volkerlumpe1668
Just wonderful!
Even today after almost 60 years later, Louis is able to bring you back to a good, smilin' mood within seconds!
I have beein listeni' and watchin' this live act at least a 300 times over the last 30 years!
He is one of the greatest of all times!
R.I.P., Louis!
Also... I love the man on the clarinet very much (...he is so relaxed!) ... and of course the big magic man on the trombone!
What a great show!
Thanks 4 da music, Mr. Armstrong!
Just love it!😍
(Greetings vom Germany to all of you!)
@gregorykobb2420
People will still be listening to Louis Armstrong one hundred years from now
@David.L291
absolutely as longs the human race doesn't destroy itself
@dhritimansharma660
I watch to laugh. I wonder how madness is welcome in USA. Funny country 😂
@magnusqwerty
300 years from now.
@gregorykobb2420
@@magnusqwerty Yes
@lynharrod5087
Is there anyone, anywhere????? ..... In 2020 that can even TRY to copy him?????? smile
@belalkhobieh2472
if you are in 2024 so put a like you are not alone
@artariusmason1624
Anybody here in 2024
@sttefref86
Old is gold
@AntonioPerez-nr9yx
Yes,My friend....