As a vocalist, Maxine Sullivan was active for half a century, from the mid-1930s to just before her death in 1987. She is best known for her 1937 recording of a swing version of the Scottish folk song "Loch Lomond". Throughout her career, Sullivan also appeared as a performer on film as well as on stage. A precursor to better-known later vocalists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Sarah Vaughan, Maxine Sullivan is considered one of the best jazz vocalists of the 1930s.
Maxine Sullivan was born in Homestead, Pennsylvania in 1911. Sullivan began her music career singing in her uncle's band, The Red Hot Peppers, in her native Pennsylvania, in which she occasionally played the flugelhorn and the valve trombone, in addition to singing. In the mid-1930s she was discovered by Gladys Mosier (then working in Ina Rae Hutton's big band). Mosier introduced her to Claude Thornhill, which led to her first recordings made in June of 1937. Shorty thereafter, Sullivan became a featured vocalist at the Onyx Club in New York. During this period, she began forming a professional and close personal relationship with bassist John Kirby, to whom she was married from 1938 to 1941.
Early sessions with Kirby in 1937 yielded a hit recording of a swing version of the Scottish folk song "Loch Lomond" featuring Sullivan on vocals. This early success "branded" Sullivan's style, leading her to sing similar swing arrangements of traditional folk tunes mostly arranged by pianist Claude Thornhill, such as "Darling Nellie Gray", "I Dream of Jeanie", "Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes", and "If I Had a Ribbon Bow". Her early popularity also led to a brief appearance in the movie Going Places opposite Louis Armstrong. In 1940, Sullivan and Kirby were featured on the radio program Flow Gently Sweet Rhythm, making them the first black jazz stars to have their own weekly radio series. From 1940-1942, Sullivan often performed with her husband Kirby's sextet. During the 1940s Sullivan then performed with a wide range of bands, including those of Teddy Wilson, Benny Carter, and Jimmie Lunceford. Sullivan also performed at many of New York's hottest jazz spots such as the Ruban Bleu, the Village Vanguard, the Blue Angel, and the Penthouse.
In 1956, Sullivan shifted away from her earlier style and recorded the album A Tribute to Andy Razaf. Originally on the Period record label, A Tribute to Andy Razaf featured Sullivan's interpretations of a dozen tunes featuring the lyrics of the poet and lyricist Andy Razaf. The album also highlighted the music of Fats Waller, including versions of "Keepin' Out of Mischief Now", "How Can you Face Me?", "My Fate is in Your Hands", "Honeysuckle Rose", "Ain't Misbehavin'", and "Blue Turning Grey Over You". Sullivan was joined by a sextet that was reminiscent of John Kirby's group of 15 years prior, including trumpeter Charlie Shavers and clarinetist Buster Bailey. In 1953 Sullivan starred in the play, Take a Giant Step.
From 1958 to 1966, Sullivan began working as a nurse and raising her children, which largely consumed most of her time. Her music career did not reassert itself until 1966, when she began performing in jazz festivals alongside her new husband, Cliff Jackson, who can be heard on the 1966 live recording of Sullivan's performance at the Manassas Jazz Festival.
Sullivan continued to perform throughout the 1960s and 1970s, and produced an output of recordings during the 1980s despite being over 70 years old. She was nominated for the 1979 Tony Award for Featured Actress in a Musical for her role in My Old Friends. She participated in a documentary film portrait, Maxine Sullivan: Love to Be in Love, shortly before her death.
Maxine Sullivan died in 1987 in New York. She was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1998.
Honeysuckle Rose
Maxine Sullivan Lyrics
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When they see you out with me
I don't blame them, goodness knows
My honeysuckle rose
Flowers droop and sigh when you're passing by
And I know the reason why
You're much sweeter, goodness knows
I don't buy sugar
You just have to touch my cup
You're my sugar
It's so sweet when you stir it up
On the avenue, people look at you
And I know just why they do
You're much sweeter, goodness knows
You're my honeysuckle rose
Every honey bee fills with jealousy
When they see you out with me
You're much sweeter, goodness knows
You're my honeysuckle rose
Oh, flowers droop and sigh when you're passing by
And I know the reason why
You're much sweeter, goodness knows
You're my honeysuckle rose
And I don't buy sugar
You just have to touch my cup
You're my sugar
It's so sweet when you stir it up
On the avenue, people look at you
And I know just why they do
You're much sweeter, goodness knows
You're my honeysuckle rose
You're much sweeter, goodness knows
My honeysuckle rose
The song "Honeysuckle Rose" by Maxine Sullivan paints a picture of a beautiful, sweet love. The metaphor of a honeysuckle rose, which is known for its sweet fragrance, represents the singer's lover. The honey bees and flowers droop with jealousy and longing when they see the couple together. The singer acknowledges her lover's irresistible sweetness, comparing them to sugar in her cup. Even strangers notice the lover's beauty, and the singer knows exactly why.
The lyrics of "Honeysuckle Rose" are simple yet poetic, crafting a vivid image of love and sweetness. The use of natural imagery, such as flowers and bees, adds to the romantic and organic feel of the song. The repetition of the phrase "goodness knows" brings a sense of sincerity and honesty to the lyrics, as if the singer is genuinely in awe of her lover's sweetness. Overall, "Honeysuckle Rose" is a beautiful ode to love and appreciation.
Line by Line Meaning
Every honey bee fills with jealousy
All the bees become envious when they see you being with me
When they see you out with me
When I'm with you in public, the bees can’t help but feel jealous
I don't blame them, goodness knows
I don't judge them, it's only natural to feel envious when you see something so sweet
My honeysuckle rose
You are my sweet and charming companion
Flowers droop and sigh when you're passing by
The flowers seem to wilt when they see you walk by
And I know the reason why
I fully understand why the flowers act that way
You're much sweeter, goodness knows
You are just so delightful and lovely
You're my honeysuckle rose
You are someone who is very important to me
I don't buy sugar
I don't need any additional sugar
You just have to touch my cup
Being with you and feeling your presence is enough to make me feel content
You're my sugar
You alone are enough to sweeten my life
It's so sweet when you stir it up
It's wonderful when you're around and everything becomes more pleasant
On the avenue, people look at you
People can't help but admire you when we're out in public
And I know just why they do
I understand completely why people are drawn to you
You're much sweeter, goodness knows
You simply ooze charm and grace
You're my honeysuckle rose
You are such a great influence in my life
My honeysuckle rose
You are such a wonderful person to be around
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Andy Razaf, Thomas Waller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BloodyCatastrophee
Wow. I'm just finding out about this lady. Her voice is Gorgeous! Even her speaking voice is so calmly nice! =) "OK Fats. You can relax now." =) I love her vibrato. I love finding female voices from the past I didn't know about. =) Thank you for posting!
Belinda Peoples
BloodyCatastrophee Really Smooth. Just started listening to her.
あすか清水
The way she is singing ,so natural .
19Edurne
I discovered her here in France, in a John Kirby Sextet LP I bought in a second hand store just because I liked the cover, having never heard of neither one of them, back in the late 80's, around the time she died actually. One of the most happy findings If I ever made one I must say. Never regretted it one bit: what a great little band!
Scott Matheson
She has such a perfect grasp of the 3 principles of jazz:swing,swing and swing.
Alberta Driftwood
A voice like honey, what sweetness.
Ben Jonson
How was she not a superstar?
525wireman
I couldn't have said it better!
Pere Muller
Merci de diffuser cet enregistrement incluant l'introduction
Juan Fecit
Muchas gracias por compartirlo.