Oliver left home at 17 to play with Zack White and his Chocolate Beau Brummels and later with Alphonse Trent. He sang and played trumpet with these bands, becoming known for his "growling" horn playing.
He joined Jimmie Lunceford's band in 1933 and contributed many hit arrangements to the band, including "My Blue Heaven" and "Ain't She Sweet". In 1939, he became one of the first African Americans with a prominent role in a white band when he joined Tommy Dorsey as an arranger, though he ceased playing trumpet at that time. (Fletcher Henderson joined the Benny Goodman orchestra as the arranger in the same year.) He led the transition of the Dorsey band from Dixieland to modern big band. His joining was instrumental in Buddy Rich's decision to join Dorsey. His arrangement of "On the Sunny Side of the Street" was a big hit for Dorsey, as were his own compositions "Yes Indeed" (a gospel-jazz tune that was later recorded by Ray Charles), "Opus One," "The Minor is Muggin'," "T.D.'s Boogie Woogie," and "Well, Git It."
After leaving Dorsey, Oliver continued working as a free-lance arranger---one of his more successful such efforts was the Frank Sinatra album I Remember Tommy, a combined tribute to each man's former boss---and as music director for Decca Records.
In later years, up until 1980, he led his own jazz band, for which he took up the trumpet again.
It's Always You
Sy Oliver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The maestro took bow after bow
He said, "My dear friends I have given my all.
I'm sorry, it's all over now."
When from the balcony way up high
There suddenly came a mournful cry
Oh, Mr. Paganini
And if you cannot play it won't you sing it?
And if you can't sing you simply have to
Scat
Listen Paganini,
We breathlessly await your masterful datente
Go on and sling it
And if you can't sling it you simply have to
Scat
We heard your repertoire
And at the final bar
We greeted you with wild applause
But what a great ovation
Your interpretation of:
Ã????I never cared much for moonlight skies
I never blinked back at fireflies'
Would do
So, Paganini don't you be a meanie
What have you up your sleeve?
Come on and spring it
And if you can't spring it, you simply have to
Scat
Listen Paganini, please play my rhapsody
And if you cannot play it, won't you sing it?
If the boys is bopping
Ain't no need in stopping
Scat
Listen Paganini,
We breathlessly await your masterful datente
Come on and spring it
If the boys is bopping
Ain't no need in stopping
Scat
I heard your repertoire and
At the final bar
We greeted you, we greeted you
With wild applause
But what a great ovation
Your interpretation of
Scat
Listen Paganini
Now, don't you be a meanie
What have you up your sleeve?
Come on and spring it
And if you can't spring it, you simply have to
Swing it
The song "It's Always You" by Sy Oliver is a love song about a man who is always thinking about his love interest. In the first verse, we learn that the concert at Carnegie Hall has just ended and the maestro has finished his performance. However, a woman from the balcony shouts out to Paganini, asking him to play her rhapsody. She then asks him to scat if he can't play or sing it. The lyrics are playful and whimsical, expressing the idea of wanting to hear a song so badly that one would do anything to make it happen.
The second verse repeats the same lines, but goes into further detail about how the crowd loved Paganini's performance and how they want to hear more. The bridge of the song repeats the same lines from the first verse, but with a slight variation. This time, the woman asks Paganini to swing it rather than scat it. The song then ends with a repetition of the chorus and the idea that no matter what Paganini does, his fans will always love him.
Overall, the song is about the power of music and how it can bring people together. It's a lighthearted and fun song that encourages people to let loose and enjoy themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
The concert was over in Carnagie Hall
The musical event held in the famous hall has ended
The maestro took bow after bow
The conductor acknowledged the audience's applause multiple times
He said, "My dear friends I have given my all. I'm sorry, it's all over now."
The conductor expressed exhaustion and regret that the performance has ended
When from the balcony way up high, there suddenly came a mournful cry
A sad call came from a high location
Oh, Mr. Paganini, please play my rhapsody. And if you cannot play it, won't you sing it?
A request was made for a musician named Paganini to perform a specific piece, either on violin or voice
And if you can't sing, you simply have to scat
If singing is not possible, the musician can instead perform scat singing
Listen Paganini, we breathlessly await your masterful datente
Anxious anticipation is expressed for Paganini's exceptional musical talent
Go on and sling it, and if you can't sling it, you simply have to scat
Encouragement is given for Paganini to perform with skill or resort to scat if necessary
We heard your repertoire, and at the final bar, we greeted you with wild applause
The audience previously enjoyed Paganini's musical performance and applauded loudly at its conclusion
But what a great ovation your interpretation of: 'I never cared much for moonlight skies, I never blinked back at fireflies' would do
Praise is given for Paganini's outstanding interpretation of the lyrics of a song
So, Paganini, don't you be a meanie. What have you up your sleeve? Come on and spring it, and if you can't spring it, you simply have to scat
Playful encouragement is given for Paganini to share his musical talent, even if it means resorting to scat if necessary
If the boys is bopping, ain't no need in stopping. Scat
If the music is upbeat and the audience is enjoying it, the musician should continue performing or switch to scat if needed
I heard your repertoire, and at the final bar, we greeted you, we greeted you with wild applause. But what a great ovation your interpretation of... scat
A repeat of a previous line praising Paganini's exceptional interpretation of a song
Listen Paganini, now don't you be a meanie. What have you up your sleeve? Come on and spring it, and if you can't spring it, you simply have to swing it
More playful encouragement for Paganini to share his musical talent in any way possible
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind