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.
Way Down Yonder in New Orleans
Louis Armstrong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the land of the dreamy scenes
There's a Garden of Eden
You know what I mean
Creole babies with flashin' eyes
Softly whisper their tender sighs then stop
Won't you give your lady fair a little smile?
We've got heaven right here on earth
With those beautiful queens
Way down yonder in New Orleans
You're gonna find heaven right here on earth
With all them beautiful queens
Way down yonder in New Orleans
I'm goin' down yonder to New Orleans
It's way down yonder in New Orleans
The song "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans" paints a picture of the vibrant and lively city of New Orleans. It speaks of a Garden of Eden, a paradise-like haven, filled with Creole babies flashing their eyes and whispering soft tender sighs. The song emphasizes the scintillating beauty of the city and the women all around it. It invites the listeners to give a little smile to their lady fair and stay longer in the city.
The song describes the city as a heaven on earth, with its beautiful queens, the Creole ladies with their flashing eyes, whispering tender sighs, and charming personalities. It is a classic example of the upbeat and lively jazz music of New Orleans. The song is symbolic of the city's culture, entertainment, and the enticing charm that people experience there.
Overall, the song "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans" is an ode to the city's beauty, culture, and way of life. It encapsulates the essence of New Orleans's charm, making it one of the most popular and beloved songs ever written about the Crescent City.
Line by Line Meaning
Way down yonder in New Orleans
The city of New Orleans is located far south, where the sights and sounds are different from other places.
In the land of the dreamy scenes
The scenery in New Orleans can seem unreal or dream-like.
There's a Garden of Eden
New Orleans is a paradise on earth.
You know what I mean
You understand the beauty and magic that exists in this city.
Creole babies with flashin' eyes
The children of New Orleans, often of mixed race and culture, have lively and mischievous personalities.
Softly whisper their tender sighs then stop
They speak softly and sweetly, then become quiet.
Won't you give your lady fair a little smile?
Smile at the women you meet, they deserve your attention and kindness.
Stop, ya bet your life you'll linger there a little while
If you stop and take time to experience New Orleans' beauty and culture, you'll never want to leave.
We've got heaven right here on earth
New Orleans is so magical and wonderful, it feels like being in heaven while still on earth.
With those beautiful queens
The women of New Orleans are stunning and charming.
I'm goin' down yonder to New Orleans
The singer is excited to go to New Orleans.
It's way down yonder in New Orleans
New Orleans is a long way from where the artist currently is.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: BERNIE BENNICK, HENRY CREAMER, J. TURNER LAYTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@zenblack11
Way down yonder in New Orleans
In the land of the dreamy scenes
There's a garden of Eden...you know what I mean
Creole babies with flashin' eyes
Softly whisper their tender sighs
Then stop....won't you give your lady fair...a little smile
Stop..ya bet your life you'll linger there...a little while
We've got heaven right here on earth
With those beautiful queens
Way down yonder in New...Orleans
You're gonna find heaven right here on earth
With all them beautiful queens
Way down yonder in New Or.....
I goin' down yonder to New Orleans
It's way down yonder in New Orleans
@daniellessard2263
I had the luck of enjoying Louis’ music and in person in Derby Line VT around 1960
as was thirteen years old. One of my older brothers had brought me there in swing and happy land of joyful Louis Armstrong and heart and soul’s band ! In a barn and people were dancing as well as listening…taping their foot, clapping hands and yelling of happiness : Wonderful memories as fresh as last night (today Sept 12th, 2023)
@noodlewhitley
Incredible. What a band
@SELMER1947
Pops don't play jazz, he IS the jazz
@benjaminperez6620
Freddie put words to an iconic melody.
@zenblack11
Way down yonder in New Orleans
In the land of the dreamy scenes
There's a garden of Eden...you know what I mean
Creole babies with flashin' eyes
Softly whisper their tender sighs
Then stop....won't you give your lady fair...a little smile
Stop..ya bet your life you'll linger there...a little while
We've got heaven right here on earth
With those beautiful queens
Way down yonder in New...Orleans
You're gonna find heaven right here on earth
With all them beautiful queens
Way down yonder in New Or.....
I goin' down yonder to New Orleans
It's way down yonder in New Orleans
@DJ80s
I was in New Orleans this summer and to my surprise there are a lot of older Jazzy black men there who actually talk a lot like Louis Armstrong. I thought Louis was unique but apparently it's cultural thing down there.
@mercedeswilkins9085
He still unique
@barryhunt8527
Yeh I'm English wi' a West Country accent and they laffed at me cos I talked funny!?! 🤪🤪🤪😂😂😂
@carolynrobertson8893
You really have no idea, no caps.
@mercedeswilkins9085
Louis Armstrong born and raise in New Orleans