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.
Let's Take an Old Fashioned Walk
Louis Armstrong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
DORIS: Gee, I'm glad you came over tonight
FRANK: Yeah! It'll be nice riding with the top down
DORIS: Oh, but I've spent the afternoon fixing my hair
FRANK: Oh, Oh!
DORIS: How about a movie, huh?
FRANK: No, it's too late for that, they'll be sold out of popcorn.
Say, I know!
FRANK:
Let's take an old fashioned walk
I'm just bursting with talk
What a tale could be told
If we went for an old fashioned walk
DORIS:
Let's take a stroll through the park
Down a lane where it's dark
And a heart that's controlled
May relax on an old fashioned walk
I know for a couple who seem to be miles apart
FRANK:
There's nothing like walking and having a heart-to-heart
BOTH:
I know a girl who declined
Couldn't make up her mind
FRANK:
She was wrapped up and sold
DORIS:
Coming home
BOTH:
From an old fashioned walk
DORIS:
Some couples go for a buggy ride
When they start caring a lot
FRANK:
Others will bicycle side by side
Way out to some romantic spot
(But when you haven't a sou)
(There's only one thing to do)
BOTH:
Let's take an old fashioned walk
I'm just bursting with talk
FRANK:
What a tale could be told
DORIS:
If we went for
BOTH:
An old fashioned walk
BOTH:
Let's take a stroll through the park
Down a lane where it's dark
FRANK:
And a heart that's controlled
DORIS:
Can relax on
BOTH:
An old fashioned walk
DORIS:
I know for a couple who seem to be miles apart
FRANK:
There's nothing like walking and having a heart-to-heart
(Walking and talking)
BOTH:
I know a girl who declined
Couldn't make up her mind
FRANK:
She was wrapped up and sold
DORIS:
Coming home from
BOTH:
An old fashioned walk
FRANK:
If your girl has declined
DORIS:
And won't make up her mind
BOTH:
What you need is a heart-to-heart talk
DORIS:
Take a stroll through the park
FRANK:
Down a lane where it's dark
BOTH:
And go for an old fashioned walk
The lyrics of Louis Armstrong's song "Let's Take an Old Fashioned Walk" paint a vivid picture of a conversation and a possible romantic outing between two individuals, Frank and Doris. The dialogue between them at the beginning sets the scene for the suggestion of taking a walk as a simple yet meaningful alternative to their original plans. Frank's suggestion to take an "old fashioned walk" seems to be a spontaneous decision fueled by his eagerness to connect with Doris. Despite initially considering other options like a movie or a ride with the top down, they both agree on the idea of walking together.
As Frank and Doris begin their walk, the lyrics describe the setting of a park and a dimly lit lane, creating a romantic and intimate atmosphere. The idea of a heart-to-heart conversation during their walk emphasizes the theme of connection and closeness, suggesting that walking together can provide an opportunity for genuine communication and understanding between two people. This sentiment is highlighted in the lines, "There's nothing like walking and having a heart-to-heart," underscoring the importance of meaningful conversations in relationships.
The lyrics also touch on a story about a girl who couldn't make up her mind, possibly hinting at the complexities of relationships and the need for open communication. The imagery of couples engaging in various activities like buggy rides or biking to romantic spots contrasts with the simplicity and charm of taking a leisurely walk together. The suggestion that even when faced with financial constraints, a walk can still be a valuable and enjoyable way to spend time together reinforces the idea that true connection transcends material concerns.
Overall, "Let's Take an Old Fashioned Walk" captures the nostalgic appeal of a time when simple gestures like going for a walk held deep significance in building and maintaining relationships. The lyrics celebrate the beauty of spending quality time with someone special, engaging in heartfelt conversations, and finding joy in the simplicity of shared moments. Through its charming narrative and romantic imagery, the song encourages listeners to appreciate the timeless charm of taking an old-fashioned walk with a loved one.
Line by Line Meaning
FRANK: Let's take an old fashioned walk
Suggesting a simple and romantic activity to spend time together
DORIS: Let's take a stroll through the park
Proposing a leisurely walk in a peaceful setting
FRANK: And a heart that's controlled
Implying that walking together can calm emotions and strengthen connection
BOTH: I know for a couple who seem to be miles apart
Acknowledging the distance felt in a relationship
FRANK: There's nothing like walking and having a heart-to-heart
Highlighting the importance of open communication while walking
DORIS: I know a girl who declined
Recounting a story of someone who hesitated
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Irving Berlin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gouravkohli4573
I see trees of green
Red roses too
I see them bloom
For me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
I see skies of blue
And clouds of white
The bright blessed day
The dark sacred night
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
The colors of the rainbow
So pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces
Of people going by
I see friends shaking hands
Saying, "How do you do?"
They're really saying
I love you
I hear babies cry
I watch them grow
They'll learn much more
Than I'll ever know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Ooh, yes
@laescritorainternacionalof4498
I see trees of green
Red roses too
I see them bloom
For me and you
And I think to myself...
What a wonderful world
I see skies of blue
And clouds of white
The bright blessed day
The dark sacred night
And I think to myself...
What a wonderful world
The colors of the rainbow
So pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shaking hands
Saying "how do you do?"
They're really saying "I love you"
I hear babies crying
I watch them grow
They'll learn much more
Than I'll ever know
And I think to myself...
What a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself...
What a wonderful world
@matthewramirez1941
I see trees of green
Red roses too
I see them bloom
For me and you
And I think to myself...
What a wonderful world
I see skies of blue
And clouds of white
The bright blessed day
The dark sacred night
And I think to myself...
What a wonderful world
The colors of the rainbow
So pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shaking hands
Saying "how do you do?"
They're really saying "I love you"
I hear babies crying
I watch them grow
They'll learn much more
Than I'll ever know
And I think to myself...
What a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself...
What a wonderful world
@dianebaum2754
my sweet husband, God rest his soul, would turn this on and cry. His heart was so HUGE...so I bought him a plaque with this saying, "oh what a wonderful world" and hung it over his computer desk. He passed away this past February and now the sign is in my bathroom, where I see it every single day and remember how Rob made his corner of the world beautiful. Thank you, Lord for sending me that most wonderful man! Rest in peace, Robbie, till we meet again--I love you so much, always...and forever.
@e.conboy4286
Diane, I am so sorry for your loss, please accept my sincere condolences. Your husband must have loved you so much and I’m sure you miss him. May you find comfort in your happiest memories.
@horkneedic
Very saddened about your loss Diane. I lost my mom a couple of months back so I know how it is to lose a loved one. I am sure he is in a good place and looking over you with all the love in his heart. I hope and pray that you are given strength in this difficult time.
@upperman8631
@@horkneedic soo emotional😭
@jonnybandtheeternalgallery
He’ll always be around, Diane 💔
@dianebaum91
@@jonnybandtheeternalgallery thank you for that reassuring message. <3
@DevonisChillin
Louis Armstrong isn’t dead, he’s just in another wonderful World.
@margaretpate1096
Beautiful!
@cojocaruadrian914
@@margaretpate1096mi of u.o
T3,844, a!+(
@pedrogabrielduarte4544
Maybe Madagascar