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.
Ill Be Glad When Youre Dead You Rascal You
Louis Armstrong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you!
When you dead in your grave,
No more women will you crave.
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you!
I trust you in my home, you rascal, you.
I trust you in my home, you rascal, you.
You wouldn't leave my wife alone.
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you!
I fed you since last fall, you rascal, you.
I fed you since last fall, you rascal, you.
I fed you since last fall,
Then you got your ashes hauled.
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you!
You asked my wife to wash your clothes, you rascal, you.
You asked my wife to wash your clothes, you rascal, you.
You asked my wife to wash your clothes
And something else I suppose.
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you!
You know you done me wrong, you rascal, you.
You know you done me wrong, you rascal, you.
You know you done me wrong,
You done stole my wife and gone.
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you!
You asked my wife for a meal, you rascal, you!
You asked my wife for a meal, you rascal, you!
You asked my wife for a meal,
And something else you tried to steal.
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you!
Please don't let me find you, rascal, you.
Please don't let me find you, rascal, you!
Please don't let me find you
'Cause you'll leave this world behind you.
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you!
Ain't no use to run, you rascal, you.
Ain't no use to run, you rascal, you.
Ain't no use to run,
I done bought a Gatling gun,
And you still having your fun, you rascal, you!
I'm gonna kill you just for fun, you rascal, you!
I'm gonna kill you just for fun, you rascal, you!
I'm gonna kill you just for fun;
The buzzards gonna have you when I'm done.
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you!
You done messed with my wife, you rascal, you!
You done messed with my wife, you rascal, you!
You done messed with my wife,
And I'm gonna take your life.
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you!
The lyrics of Louis Armstrong's song "You Rascal You" are a portrayal of the anger, betrayal, and disgust that one feels towards a person who has caused them harm. The song's protagonist is expressing their joy at the death of someone who has "done them wrong" and "messed with their wife." The verses talk about how this person was given trust, food, and hospitality but still betrayed them by trying to steal, and seduce their wife. The chorus, "I'll be glad when you're dead, you rascal, you!" emphasizes the singer's hatred towards this person and their desire for retribution - which they intend to deliver with a Gatling gun.
In typical Louis Armstrong fashion, the song is written with humor and irony, which makes the lyrics less gruesome than they appear. The song was originally written by Sam Theard in 1929 and has been covered by numerous artists, including Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, and Dr. John. The song's catchy melody and lyrics have made it a popular tune in jazz circles, and it is considered a classic of the genre.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you!
I will rejoice when you are dead because of the harm you have caused me.
When you dead in your grave, No more women will you crave.
Your constant impulse for women will come to an end once you are buried in your grave.
I trust you in my home, you rascal, you.
I had faith in you when you were in my home, despite knowing what kind of person you are.
You wouldn't leave my wife alone.
You had a history of making advances at my wife, which made me question your motives.
Then you got your ashes hauled.
You took advantage of my generosity and had an affair with my wife.
You know you done me wrong, you rascal, you.
You are well aware that you have betrayed me by stealing my wife.
You done stole my wife and gone.
You took my wife away from me and vanished with her, leaving me behind.
And something else you tried to steal.
You have been attempting to steal my wife's love and affection, which rightfully belongs to me.
Please don't let me find you, rascal, you.
You should hope that I do not locate you, as it would lead to your demise.
I done bought a Gatling gun, And you still having your fun, you rascal, you!
I purchased a powerful gun to deal with you, yet you continue to enjoy your sinful behavior.
The buzzards gonna have you when I'm done.
Once I am through with you, there will be nothing left of you for the buzzards to eat.
You done messed with my wife, And I'm gonna take your life.
You have crossed the line by getting involved with my wife, and as a result, I will end your life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Sam Theard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Blocktimusprime
“When you lay six feet deep, no more fried chicken will you eat” is the coldest line of all time
@emilya.nannymoss9272
Even though the stupid funeral director wouldn't permit my dad to play this song for your wake, I found this song not long after you passed.
Miss you Grandma. Need your guidance from the Summerland even more now than ever with all the crap you know I'm going through this year so far. Love you. 😰💝💪🍀
RIP Georgina Christine Mateka
12/25/22 - 04/28/17
"You may be gone but you're never over... - " Eminem
@kim20525
My condolences!! She lived a long time!!
@emilya.nannymoss9272
@@kim20525 tysm. She was a very astute and wise woman. Hope you are doing well & that your elders are still with you. If not may my Grandma give them guidance in the Summerland. She's awesome as I'm sure your own elders are too. ❤💛💚💙💜
@kim20525
💚💚💚💚
@babuddha
Sorry for your loss. The funeral director was outside of his lane. Don't let paid servants make the rules.
@emilya.nannymoss9272
@@babuddha Namaste' & tysm for the words of comfort. They are greatly appreciated. Brightest Blessings. :)
@bobcooper82
OG diss track
@hannahrae927
straight up. lol
@rodneytg1
I was about to post the same thing. 💯