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.
Sunshowers
Louis Armstrong Lyrics
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It might rain
Sun will shine again
So sun showers
In a little while
The sky above will smile
Like laughter
Dark clouds of sorrow
Will soon be a sunny tomorrow
While sunflowers raise their little eyes
Up to the flamin' skies
And sun showers
Leave as they bud
A rainbow in our hearts
The great skies soon will be clear
My dear, those sun showers
I'm all here
Louis Armstrong's song Sunshowers conveys a message of hope and optimism. The lyrics suggest that just as quickly as sunshowers come, they will go and the sun will shine once again. The phrase "sunshowers" is a play on words, as rain typically occurs during cloudy weather, but in this case, Armstrong suggests that the sun is still shining despite the rain. The lyrics go on to say that after the rain, the sky will smile and dark clouds of sorrow will soon be replaced by sunny days. The image of sunflowers symbolizes hope and the lyrics suggest that even in the midst of a storm, there is something beautiful to look forward to - a rainbow in our hearts.
The song's lyrics offer a powerful metaphor for dealing with hardship and adversity. Armstrong's optimism shines through and suggests that we should not let life's challenges bring us down. Rather, we should remember that even during the toughest times, the sun is still shining and soon enough, we will see it again. This message of hope and resilience is one that has resonated with many listeners over the years and continues to be an uplifting reminder of the power of positivity.
Line by Line Meaning
Sun showers
Though it might drizzle with rain, sunshine will eventually come through, making way for Sunshowers – a play on words indicating a shower of sun rays and rain.
It might rain
There's a possibility of a shower.
Sun will shine again
Despite the gloom, sunshine is sure to come again as light follows dark after every cloudy day.
So sun showers
Thus, the simultaneous shower of sun rays and rains is referred to as Sunshowers.
In a little while
After some time has passed.
The sky above will smile
The cloud-filled sky will eventually turn clear, signifying happiness by the sun shining bright and cheery again.
Like laughter
Similar to the emotion of being happy or cheerful; a release of joy just as a smile breaks through a laugh.
That follows your tears
Joy after a sad event, with reference to the natural cycle of rainbows after rain.
Dark clouds of sorrow
Refers to the emotional state of sadness or mourning, represented by dark clouds.
Will soon be a sunny tomorrow
The cloud's darkness signifies a foreboding future, but it will pass and change for the better if waited out.
While sunflowers raise their little eyes
A metaphor for hope, referring to sunflowers' habit of following the sun while it travels in the sky.
Up to the flamin' skies
Symbolic reference to God or the heavens, with the color of the sunset reflecting a flame-like appearance.
And sun showers
Refers to the unique moment of simultaneity when the sun is shining and it is raining.
Leave as they bud
The end of the shower and the emergence of new life.
A rainbow in our hearts
A metaphorical portrayal of the heart accompanied by a spectrum of joyful colors as figurative imagery of a positive emotional state post dark times.
The great skies soon will be clear
Just as nature changes, so will the state of sadness, signified by the hope of the clearing skies.
My dear, those sun showers
Addressing a loved one, full of hope for new beginnings and better times ahead.
I'm all here
The singer reassures and assures of being present to support the listener and still love them despite the hardships faced during those rain showers.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ARTHUR FREED, NACIO BROWN, NACIO HERB BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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