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.
No
Louis Armstrong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No! No! No!
But when two eager lips are pressed against yours
You'll know, yes, you'll know
Can anyone explain the glow of romance?
No! No! No!
But when you hear the phrase "It's you I adore"
And you will find, to give love a start
Don't think with your mind; just feel with your heart
Can anyone explain the wonder of love?
No! No! No!
But now that you and I are sharing a sigh
We know, yes, we know
And you will find, to give love a start
Don't think with your mind; just feel with your heart
Can anyone explain the wonder of love?
No! No! No!
But now that you and I are sharing a sigh
We know, yes, we know
The song "No" by Louis Armstrong explores the mysterious nature of love and the difficulty of putting into words the feelings that love evokes. In the first verse, Armstrong asks if anyone can explain the thrill of a kiss or the glow of romance, and responds with a resounding "No!" However, he goes on to state that when these experiences happen, you will know and feel them deeply.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea that love cannot be explained; it must be felt. The lyrics suggest that to give love a chance, you must let go of rational thinking and allow yourself to feel with your heart. The final verse speaks directly to the listener, suggesting that now that they are sharing a sigh with someone special, they too know the wonder of love.
The song's simple melody and repetitive chorus create a nostalgic and dreamy atmosphere, while the lyrics paint an idealized picture of love that feels both distant and attainable. Overall, "No" is a love song that captures the uncertainty and magic of falling in love.
Interesting facts about "No" by Louis Armstrong:
1) The song was released in 1955 as a single and later included on Armstrong's album "Satch Plays Fats."
2) "No" was written by Earl Hines, who was Armstrong's former bandmate and pianist.
3) The song's lyrics are often interpreted as a direct response to the skepticism of love.
4) "No" was one of Armstrong's earliest recordings to feature his vocal style more prominently than his trumpet playing.
5) The song has been covered by several artists, including Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday.
6) In 1956, Armstrong performed "No" on The ABC Television Network variety show "The Steve Allen Show."
7) The song's catchy melody and memorable chorus have made it a popular tune for jazz musicians to play and improvise on.
8) The lyrics to "No" were used as the basis for a philosophical essay by composer and musicologist Leonard Meyer.
9) The song's message of surrendering to the emotions of love is timeless and resonates with listeners of all ages.
10) "No" is often cited as one of Armstrong's greatest vocal performances, showcasing his smooth and soulful singing style.
Chords (in the key of C):
Intro: C
Verse: C, Am, Dm, G7
Chorus: C, G7, Am, Dm, G7
Line by Line Meaning
Can anyone explain the thrill of a kiss?
Even if someone tried to explain how it feels to be kissed, it's indescribable and cannot be put into words.
No! No! No!
It's impossible to describe the thrill of a kiss.
But when two eager lips are pressed against yours
You'll understand the feeling of being kissed when someone puts their lips on yours with an eagerness to show affection.
You'll know, yes, you'll know
It's an experience that can only be understood when felt, and there's no need for an explanation after that moment.
Can anyone explain the glow of romance?
It's difficult to put into words the feeling of being wrapped up in a romantic relationship.
No! No! No!
It's impossible to describe the glow of romance with words.
But when you hear the phrase "It's you I adore"
Hearing someone say they adore you can help ignite a spark of romantic feelings and understanding that is hard to put into words.
You'll know, yes, you'll know
When someone acknowledges and professes their love and adoration for you, you'll understand the glow of romance.
And you will find, to give love a start...
To start a loving relationship, it's best to let go of logical thinking and follow your heart instead.
Don't think with your mind; just feel with your heart
Overthinking can get in the way of creating a loving relationship. You should instead follow your heart and instincts.
But now that you and I are sharing a sigh
Now that we are both swept up in the feelings of love and romance, we can share a deep breath and feel the connection.
We know, yes, we know
There's no need for an explanation, as we both understand and feel the warmth and wonder of love.
Can anyone explain the wonder of love?
It's difficult to explain the feeling of being in love to someone who hasn't experienced it themselves.
No! No! No!
Words can't describe the wonder of love.
But now that you and I are sharing a sigh
Now that we're in love, we can share a deep breath and feel understood without explaining it.
We know, yes, we know
There's no need for an explanation, as we both understand this indescribable feeling of love.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bennie Benjamin, George David Weiss
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@esme8937
Nobody knows
the trouble I've seen;
Nobody knows
My sorrows
Nobody knows
the trouble I've seen
Glory Hallelujah!
Sometimes I'm up,
sometimes I'm down;
O yes Lord.
Sometimes I'm almost to the ground;
O yes Lord.
Nobody knows
the trouble I've seen;
Nobody knows
But Jesus
Nobody
the trouble I've seen;
Glory Hallelujah!
@VoicesofHistory
This song was played at my Father’s funeral in 1968, in California. He died at only 37 years of age. My Dad was a professional trumpet player and U.S. Army Veteran. Today is his 85th birthday. Happy Birthday Dad!!!
@counter-weightmedias2263
Voices of History That's a sad comment, I wish him a happy birthday
@counter-weightmedias2263
Gonzo 1o so he can easily listen to music dumbass
@counter-weightmedias2263
Gonzo 1o He's one man, I've been through hundreds of comments on these types of videos. I'm not saying he's telling the truth because I can't be sure, but he's one and if I was old I'd use this to listen to music.
@TheAto2000
Way more than you'd expect, especially knowing music like this for example from when they were young is available here . For someone who's looking at a song from back then, you sure are disrespectful of older people.
@harrytrotter5267
Gonzo 1o YouTube is for every one.
@gelmir4eva
See the smile on his face before he does his piece? He sings the blues, songs about sadness, love lost and love found and yet he smiles about it. What an inspiration. What a great soul. The world needs more Louis Armstrongs :)
@KyBullet1
The blues are nothing but a good man feeling bad.
@jcmarineservicesofswfl5606
“And yet , I smile “ Ezekiel
@mileswalcott7241
@@KyBullet1God bless you 🙏