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.
Top Hat White Tie and Tails
Louis Armstrong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Your presence requested this evening,
It's formal, a top hat, a white tie and tails."
Nothing now could take the wind out of my sails.
Because I'm invited to step out this evening
With top hat and white tie and tails.
I'm putting on my top hat,
Brushing off my tails.
I'm duding up my shirtfront,
Putting in the shirt studs,
Polishing my nails,
I'm stepping out, my dear,
To breathe an atmosphere
That simply reeks with class;
And I trust that you'll excuse my dust
When I step on the gas,
For I'll be there,
Putting down my top hat,
Mussing up my white tie,
Dancing in my tails.
The song's lyrics describe the excitement and anticipation of receiving a formal invitation to a high-class event, which dictates a strict dress code of "top hat, white tie, and tails." The singer wastes no time in getting himself ready, as he describes the meticulous process of preparing his attire, including putting on his top hat and tying up his white tie, brushing off his tails, and polishing his nails. He expresses his eagerness to step out into a refined atmosphere where he can partake in the elegance and sophistication that is expected of the occasion. The singer acknowledges that he may make a mess of his pristine outfit when he hits the dance floor, but he is willing to take that risk because he knows he will be in good company.
At its core, the song celebrates the glamour and extravagance of a bygone era, which is epitomized by the strict dress code and the sophistication of the occasion. The song's lyrics are a testament to the allure of high society and the opulence and elegance that was once associated with it.
Line by Line Meaning
I just got an invitation through the mails:
I have just received a formal invitation in the mail.
"Your presence requested this evening,
The invitation requests my attendance this evening.
It's formal, a top hat, a white tie and tails."
This is a formal occasion requiring a top hat, white tie, and tails.
Nothing now could take the wind out of my sails.
I am very excited and nothing could make me less enthusiastic.
Because I'm invited to step out this evening
I am honored to have been invited to this event.
With top hat and white tie and tails.
I will be dressed in formal attire.
I'm putting on my top hat,
I am in the process of getting dressed for this occasion.
Tying up my white tie,
I am carefully tying my white tie to ensure that I look my best.
Brushing off my tails.
I am brushing off any dust that may have accumulated on my tails.
I'm duding up my shirtfront,
I am straightening my shirtfront and ensuring it is properly tucked in.
Putting in the shirt studs,
I am inserting the studs into the proper holes on my shirtfront.
Polishing my nails,
I am making sure my nails are clean and presentable.
I'm stepping out, my dear,
I am ready to leave and attend the event.
To breathe an atmosphere
I am excited to take in the atmosphere of this formal event.
That simply reeks with class;
This event is incredibly classy and refined.
And I trust that you'll excuse my dust
I hope you will forgive me for being a bit late or rushed, as I am very excited for this event.
When I step on the gas,
When I leave, I will be in a great hurry to get there.
For I'll be there,
I am excited to be a part of this event.
Putting down my top hat,
I will remove my top hat upon arrival.
Mussing up my white tie,
My white tie may become slightly untidy as I dance and enjoy the festivities.
Dancing in my tails.
I will dance in my formal attire, enjoying the class and refinement of the event.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Irving Berlin
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