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.
Yes Indeed
Sy Oliver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Chorus:]
Yes, indeed!
Yes, indeed!
You'll shout when it hits you
Yes indeed
Yes yes
Yes you'll shout when it hits you
Yes indeed
When the spirit moves you you'll shout hallelujah
I mean
When it it hits you you'll holler
Yes indeed
Yes yes
It comes out if it's in you, yes indeed
Yes indeed
Makes you shout, Jack, it sends you
Yes indeed
Well let me hit you
When the jive starts jumping you'll shout
Let me in there
Well all right now
When it hits you you'll holler
Yes indeed
Yes indeed
The song "Yes Indeed" by Sy Oliver is an upbeat and exultant tune that celebrates the joy and excitement of music. The repetitive refrain of "Yes indeed" serves as a kind of call-and-response between the singer and the listener, urging both to join in the fun and energy of the music. The song uses a lot of slang and colloquial language, which reflects the African American cultural context in which it was created and performed.
The lyrics convey a sense of abandon and release, encouraging the listener to let go of inhibitions and be swept up in the rhythms and melodies of the music. The chorus mentions "making with the jive," which refers to dancing and indulging in the pleasures of swing music. The song also references spiritual and religious themes, as evidenced by the use of the word "hallelujah" and phrases like "when the spirit moves you." This suggests that music is not just a form of entertainment or diversion, but a powerful force that can uplift and inspire the soul.
In addition to its lyrical content, "Yes Indeed" is noteworthy for its musical arrangement and performance. Sy Oliver was a renowned bandleader and arranger who worked with many of the biggest names in jazz and swing music during the 1930s and 1940s. His arrangement of "Yes Indeed" features a driving rhythm section, wailing horns, and a catchy melody that is easy to sing along to. The song has become a classic of the swing era and continues to be performed and enjoyed by music lovers of all ages.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes, indeed!
An enthusiastic affirmation
Yes, indeed!
A repeat of the affirmation
Yes, indeed!
A third confirmation of affirmation
Get to making with the jive, boy
Start dancing to the lively music, young man
You'll shout when it hits you
You will feel so much joy that you will shout uncontrollably
Yes indeed
A confirmation of the previous statement
Yes yes
An additional affirmation of the previous statement
Yes you'll shout when it hits you
A reassurance that the joy will cause one to shout
When the spirit moves you you'll shout hallelujah
When overcome with emotion, you will shout praises to God
I mean
An interjection to emphasize what was previously said
When it it hits you you'll holler
When the music moves you, you will cry out in excitement
Yes indeed
An affirmation of the previous statement
Yes yes
An additional affirmation of the previous statement
It comes out if it's in you, yes indeed
If you have the spirit, it will show in your actions
Yes indeed
An affirmation of the previous statement
Makes you shout, Jack, it sends you
The music will make you shout and feel as though you are being sent away
Yes indeed
An affirmation of the previous statement
Well let me hit you
Let me demonstrate for you and show you how it's done
When the jive starts jumping you'll shout
Once the music becomes lively, your excitement will increase and you will shout even more
Let me in there
Let me join in with the dancing and celebration
Well all right now
An expression of excitement and enthusiasm
When it hits you you'll holler
A repetition of the idea that the music will move you to shout
Yes indeed
An affirmation of the previous statement
Yes indeed
A final confirmation of the overall message
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARY C BROCKERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Pam Tebelman
incredible arrangement!
Pepper Williams
Another gem by this "hidden" master
Richard Salvucci
My Dad also had Dorsey's version, which was Sy's arrangement. Sy's band swung it harder. LOL
sham rouh
Sy Oliver a bercé ma jeunesse sur 33 tours, ma mère l'écoutait en boucle .... très heureux de pouvoir le retrouver ici .... merci pour ce cadeau .... Thanks
Skidoo22
The inspiration behind Nelson Riddle !
Peter Brown
My God ,
how on earth did you know that - I thought I was the only one which knew that!
Well done !
Nicholas Thomson
I Know the melody but cant place it? any help?
welwitchia23
Brought by Malcolm X autobiography page 163
Moustapha Ady
Eeeeeeey!!!!!!!!!
SouthernFade Arcade
Listening to it right now because of the reference.. Page 80 in my book tho..