He began arranging professionally in his teens, when he wrote charts for Nat Towles. He became a prominent composer and arranger while playing trumpet for Woody Herman; while working for Herman he provided new arrangements for "Woodchopper's Ball" and "Blowin' Up a Storm," and composed "The Good Earth" and "Wild Root." After leaving Herman's band in 1946, Hefti concentrated on arranging and composing, although he occasionally led his own bands. He is especially known for his charts for Count Basie such as "Li'l Darlin'" and "Cute".
In the 1960s and later he composed and arranged mainly for movies and television. He wrote the background music for movies such as Sex and the Single Girl, How to Murder Your Wife, Synanon, Boeing Boeing, Harlow, Lord Love a Duck, Duel at Diablo, Oh Dad Poor Dad Mama's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feelin' So Sad, and Barefoot in the Park.
His best-known contributions of this period are the theme of the TV series such as Batman and The Odd Couple.
In 2018 (upon the death of playwright Neil Simon), critic Terry Teachout wrote "I wonder why Neal Hefti's "Odd Couple" theme never became a jazz standard. It has a great minor-key tune, tasty changes, and a nice-and-easy swing."
It Might As Well be Spring
Neal Hefti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm as jumpy as a puppet on a string
I'd say that I had spring fever
But I know it isn't spring
I am starry-eyed and vaguely discontented
Like a nightingale without a song to sing
Oh, why should I have Spring fever
I keep wishing I were somewhere else
Walking down a strange new street
Hearing words that I have never heard
From a girl I've yet to meet
I'm as busy as a spider spinning daydreams
I'm as giddy as a baby on a swing
I haven't seen a crocus or a rosebud or a robin on the wing
But I feel so gay in a melancholy way
That it might as well be spring
It might as well be spring
The song "It Might As Well be Spring" by Neal Hefti expresses a feeling of restlessness and anticipation for something new and exciting. The first verse compares the singer's state of mind to a willow in a windstorm and a puppet on a string, suggesting a lack of stability and control. They mention having "spring fever," a common phrase that refers to feeling restless and yearning for change and new beginnings. However, they acknowledge that it isn't actually spring, implying that their restlessness goes beyond the change of seasons.
The second verse describes the singer as starry-eyed and discontented, comparing themselves to a nightingale without a song. This suggests a longing for purpose or fulfillment. They question why they have this feeling of spring fever when it is not the appropriate season for it, emphasizing the intensity of their restlessness.
In the third verse, the singer reveals their desire to be somewhere else, walking down unfamiliar streets and hearing new words from someone they have yet to meet. This longing for novelty and adventure further emphasizes their restlessness and discontentment.
The final verse compares the singer to a busy spider spinning daydreams and a giddy baby on a swing. This imagery depicts a mind teeming with imagination and excitement, even though they haven't witnessed the typical signs of spring such as crocuses, rosebuds, or robins. They acknowledge feeling a mix of happiness and sadness, describing it as "gay in a melancholy way," suggesting that their restlessness and longing serve as a bittersweet source of joy.
Overall, "It Might As Well be Spring" portrays the singer's longing for change and excitement, despite not being in the appropriate season for such feelings. It reflects the universal human desire for new experiences and the restless nature of the human spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm as restless as a willow in a windstorm
I am feeling anxious and unable to relax, just like a willow tree swaying forcefully in a gust of wind.
I'm as jumpy as a puppet on a string
I am extremely nervous and easily startled, much like a puppet that is constantly manipulated by strings.
I'd say that I had spring fever
I would describe my current state as having spring fever, a feeling of restlessness and excitement often associated with the arrival of spring.
But I know it isn't spring
However, I am aware that it is not actually springtime.
I am starry-eyed and vaguely discontented
I am filled with hopeful optimism but also a sense of dissatisfaction, as if something is missing.
Like a nightingale without a song to sing
Similar to a nightingale that is unable to express its beautiful voice, I feel as though I lack an outlet for my emotions.
Oh, why should I have Spring fever
Why am I experiencing spring fever-like symptoms?
When it isn't even spring?
Considering that it is not currently springtime, this feeling is somewhat puzzling.
I keep wishing I were somewhere else
I continuously find myself yearning to be in a different location, away from my current surroundings.
Walking down a strange new street
Imagining myself strolling along an unfamiliar, unexplored street.
Hearing words that I have never heard
Listening to conversations containing unfamiliar phrases and expressions.
From a girl I've yet to meet
These words are spoken by a girl who I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting.
I'm as busy as a spider spinning daydreams
Like a spider weaving intricate webs, I am constantly preoccupied with crafting elaborate daydreams in my mind.
I'm as giddy as a baby on a swing
I experience bouts of joy and excitement similar to how a baby feels when happily swinging back and forth.
I haven't seen a crocus or a rosebud or a robin on the wing
Although I have yet to witness the blooming of spring flowers like crocuses and rosebuds, or the presence of birds such as robins in flight.
But I feel so gay in a melancholy way
Despite feeling somewhat sad, there is a sense of light-heartedness within me.
That it might as well be spring
I am so consumed by my emotions that it seems as though it is already springtime, even though it is not.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Tratore, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Oscar Hammerstein II, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
greg
on Down with the Lights
I totally loved Hefti's score for "Sex & the Single Girl" Sadly, unlike all of the wonderful Man from U.N.C.L.E. soundtracks, FSM's "Sex & the Single Girl" CD album is a BIG rip off as it has none of the original and far superior session takes used for the movie. Were the original analog or digitized mag tape or film masters really not available?