Leader of the most popular dance bands in the United States during the 1920s, Whiteman's recordings were immensely successful, and press notices often referred to him as the "King of Jazz". Using a large ensemble and exploring many styles of music, Whiteman is perhaps best known for his blending of symphonic music and jazz, as typified by his 1924 commissioning and debut of George Gershwin's jazz-influenced "Rhapsody In Blue". Whiteman recorded many jazz and pop standards during his career, including "Wang Wang Blues", "Mississippi Mud", "Rhapsody in Blue", "Wonderful One", "Hot Lips", "Mississippi Suite", and "Grand Canyon Suite". His popularity faded in the swing music era of the 1930s, and by the 1940s Whiteman was semi-retired from music.
Whiteman's place in the history of early jazz is somewhat controversial.[1] Detractors suggest that Whiteman's ornately-orchestrated music was jazz in name only (lacking the genre's improvisational and emotional depth), and co-opted the innovations of black musicians.[1] Defenders note that Whiteman's fondness for jazz was genuine (he worked with black musicians as much as was feasible during an era of racial segregation),[1] that his bands included many of the era's most esteemed white jazz musicians, and argue that Whiteman's groups handled jazz admirably as part of a larger repertoire.[2] In his autobiography, Duke Ellington[3] declared, "Paul Whiteman was known as the King of Jazz, and no one as yet has come near carrying that title with more certainty and dignity."
Valencia
Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In my dreams it always seems I hear you softly call for me
Valencia,
Where the orange trees forever scent the breeze beside the sea
Valencia,
In my arms I held your charms beneath the blossomed sky above
You loved me
The song "Valencia" by Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra is a romantic ballad that invokes the beauty and allure of the Spanish city of the same name. The lyrics describe the dreamy quality of Valencia, how it beckons to the singer even in his dreams. The scent of orange blossoms and the sound of the sea create a romantic atmosphere that is difficult to resist.
The song speaks of a lost love, a time when the singer was with his beloved in Valencia, and they experienced a "paradise of love." The memories of that time still linger, and the singer holds on to them as a reminder of what was lost. The overall mood is one of nostalgia and longing, making the song a bittersweet ode to a lost love and a beautiful city.
Line by Line Meaning
Valencia,
Oh Valencia, the place where my heart longs to be.
In my dreams it always seems I hear you softly call for me
Whenever I dream, I can hear the gentle voice of Valencia calling me back towards it.
Valencia,
Oh Valencia, the place where my heart longs to be.
Where the orange trees forever scent the breeze beside the sea
The orange trees of Valencia endlessly perfume the air blowing beside the sea.
Valencia,
Oh Valencia, the place where my heart longs to be.
In my arms I held your charms beneath the blossomed sky above
Once upon a time, I held your beauty close against me, while flowers bloomed up high in Valencia's sky.
You loved me
In those times, you loved me with all your heart.
In Valencia long ago, we found a paradise of love
Valencia has always been the home of the love we once had.
Contributed by Colton C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jacek Piotrowicz
After almost 100 years still a masterpiece! See Ya in 2 0 2 6!
T marlier
magnifique interprétation !!!
Beck Beck
My grandfather played this with his buddies in the army band when he first started until he moved up to general in time for ww2. I wish i could have shown him this before he passed, he used to play the clarinet part for me but had no copy of the song >___<
fenerbache13
My granddad used to play this in his car when I was young on the way to Wales. He's passed now, but this stuck with me. Travelling from Liverpool to Anglesey with his old classics on, I'm glad I found this.
Virginia Abreu de Paula
My father, who was born in 1909, also loved this song. I remember him singing it. He also used to dance while singning it doing some charleston steps. I know it's not charleston but, for a reason, dad liked to dance charleston singing this song.
oraclewjr1
I first heard this song in a Hollywood movie about F. Scott Fitzgerald in the 1970's and it has become one of my favorites capturing the atmosphere of the 1920's.
monjiou1
I love this, thank you. Just leaves you smiling and song playing in your head.
Colin Rogers
Can't stop playing this! It's fantastico!
Robert Telarket
Really great song!!!
vinylsingleman
Thanks for posting this, had wanted to hear what it sounded like for a long time.