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.
Spooks?
Louis Armstrong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I heard something in the house, I don't mean a mouse
I swear they were spooks, spooks, spooks
I know they were spooks, spooks, spooks, spooks
I couldn′t move just stood and stared, I never felt so scared
The first spook spoke and I heard him speak
Will you tease the cat and hound the puff and raise our spirits up
Oh Lord of them spooks, spooks, spooks
Those scary old spooks, spooks, spooks, spooks
You don't have to take my word, but I heard what I heard
The next spook spoke he said 'spose we make
The fossil start to tick and make the shutters shake
You let me know just what you want "This is my favorite haunt"
Beware of them spooks, spooks, spooks
They′re amidst of the spooks, spooks, spooks, spooks
I hate spoofin, man I mean, that I′ve seen what I've seen
A big spook spoke he said Spike my son
He said I′ll show you how to scare some fun
But next when you wail see here, You make it the loud and clear
Watch out for them spooks, spooks, spook of those nests
The old spooks, spooks, spooks loose
Maybe you don't think it so, but I know what I know
The last spook turned to his spouse and frowned
Said I thought I told you to wait in the ground
But you look awful cute tonight, in fact you look a-fright
He′s talking about spooks, spooks, spooks
Real genuine spooks, spooks, spooks, spooks
No used to putting up your dukes, you just can't fight a-them spooks
I′m getting out of here man, I don't dig this jive, no
Wait for us, wait for us, wait for us
In Louis Armstrong's song "Spooks," the lyrics depict a scene where the singer is downstairs in his house and hears unusual noises. He immediately believes that the source of the sounds are not ordinary, but rather "spooks," or ghosts. The singer describes feeling frozen with fear and unable to move as he listens to the conversations among the spooks. The spooks discuss their antics, such as making doors squeak, teasing cats, and causing shutters to shake. The lyrics convey a sense of both fear and fascination with the supernatural, as the singer acknowledges that others may doubt his experiences but asserts that he knows what he heard. The last lines imply that the singer has decided to leave the house, while the spooks urge him to wait for them.
The song "Spooks" can be interpreted as a playful tribute to the concept of ghosts and the supernatural. Louis Armstrong's charismatic delivery adds an element of whimsy to the lyrics, allowing listeners to enjoy the spooky atmosphere without feeling genuinely frightened. The repetition of the word "spooks" throughout the song amplifies the eerie theme and adds a sense of rhythm and catchiness.
Line by Line Meaning
I thought I’d go downstairs just to check the lock
I decided to go downstairs to ensure that the door was securely locked.
When I heard something in the house, I don't mean a mouse
I heard a noise inside the house that was louder than a mouse.
I swear they were spooks, spooks, spooks
I strongly believe that the source of the noise were supernatural beings.
I know they were spooks, spooks, spooks, spooks
I am certain that the entities causing the disturbance were indeed ghosts or spirits.
I couldn’t move just stood and stared, I never felt so scared
I was petrified and unable to move, experiencing a level of fear I had never felt before.
The first spook spoke and I heard him speak
The initial ghost communicated with me, and I could hear his voice.
He said, What say oh made the back door squeak?
He inquired about what caused the noise of the squeaking back door.
Will you tease the cat and hound the puff and raise our spirits up
Do you have the ability to play pranks on the cat, scare the dog, and entertain us?
Oh Lord of them spooks, spooks, spooks
I hereby acknowledge the existence of these ghostly beings, begging for the protection of the Lord.
Those scary old spooks, spooks, spooks, spooks
I am referring to those terrifying and age-old ghosts.
You don't have to take my word, but I heard what I heard
Although you may not trust my testimony, I genuinely heard what I claim I heard.
The next spook spoke he said 'spose we make
The following ghost then proposed that they should
The fossil start to tick and make the shutters shake
Activate a ticking sound from an old clock and cause the shutters to tremble.
You let me know just what you want 'This is my favorite haunt'
Inform me of your desires. This location is my preferred place to haunt.
Beware of them spooks, spooks, spooks
Be cautious of those very ghosts I mentioned earlier.
They're amidst of the spooks, spooks, spooks, spooks
These entities are among the ranks of the ghosts.
I hate spoofin, man I mean, that I’ve seen what I've seen
I strongly dislike deceitful actions, and I emphasize that I have witnessed what I claim.
A big spook spoke he said Spike my son
One of the larger ghosts then addressed someone named Spike, referring to him as his child.
He said I’ll show you how to scare some fun
The ghost offered to demonstrate how to effectively scare people, which can be enjoyable.
But next when you wail see here, You make it the loud and clear
However, in the future, when you express your fear or terror, ensure that it is done loudly and clearly.
Watch out for them spooks, spooks, spooks of those nests
Remain cautious of those ghosts, which are often found in certain places or dwellings.
The old spooks, spooks, spooks loose
The experienced ghosts or spirits are now free to roam.
Maybe you don't think it so, but I know what I know
You may not believe my claims, but I am confident in the knowledge I possess.
The last spook turned to his spouse and frowned
The final ghost then looked at his partner and exhibited a disapproving expression.
Said I thought I told you to wait in the ground
He expressed his disappointment, reminding his partner that he instructed her to remain in the cemetery.
But you look awful cute tonight, in fact you look a-fright
However, he remarked that she appeared remarkably attractive that evening, even frighteningly so.
He’s talking about spooks, spooks, spooks
He is discussing the presence and nature of ghosts.
Real genuine spooks, spooks, spooks, spooks
These are authentic and legitimate ghosts, not mere imitations.
No used to putting up your dukes, you just can't fight a-them spooks
There is no point in preparing for a physical confrontation, as ghosts cannot be fought off in that manner.
I’m getting out of here man, I don't dig this jive, no
I am leaving this place, as I do not understand or appreciate this bizarre situation.
Wait for us, wait for us, wait for us
Please wait for us, do not leave without us.
Writer(s): Noiseworks
Contributed by Anthony P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Anonymous
on What A Wonderful World
What A Wonderful World - Casey Abrams - Lyrics
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
Singing how do you do
They're really singing
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
Musical Interlude
The colors of the rainbow
So pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces
Of people going by
I see friends shaking hands
Singing how do you do
They're really singing
I love you
I hear babies cry
I watch them grow
They goin’ learn much more
Than I'll ever know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
I think to myself
What a wonderful world