Wilson studied piano and violin at Tuskegee Institute. After working in the Speed Webb and Louis Armstrong bands, he joined Benny Carter's Chocolate Dandies in 1933. In 1935 he joined the Benny Goodman Trio (which consisted of Goodman, Wilson and drummer Gene Krupa, later expanded to the Benny Goodman Quartet with the addition of Lionel Hampton). The trio performed during the big band's intermissions. By joining the Trio, Wilson became the first black musician to perform in public with a previously all-white jazz group.
In the 1930s and 1940s he recorded fifty hit records with various singers such as Lena Horne and Helen Ward, including many of Billie Holiday's most successful records. During these years he also recorded many highly regarded sessions with a wide range of important swing musicians, such as Lester Young, Roy Eldridge, Charlie Shavers, Red Norvo, Buck Clayton and Ben Webster.
Wilson formed his own short-lived big band in 1939, then led a sextet at Cafe Society from 1940 to 1944. In the 1950s he taught at the Juilliard School. Wilson performed as a soloist and with pick-up groups up until the final years of his life.
Rose Room
Teddy Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A little room where all the roses bloom
I want to lead you into Nature's hall
Where ev'ry year the roses give a ball
They have an orchestra up in the trees
For their musicians are the birds and bees
And they will sing us a song
As we are strolling along
In sunny Roseland, where summer breezes are playing
Where the honey bees are "A-Maying"
There all the roses are swaying
Dancing while the meadow brook flows
The moon when shining is more than ever designing
For 'tis ever then I am pining
Pining to be sweetly reclining
Somewhere in Roseland
Beside a beautiful rose
The ball is over and tulips meet
Their little kisses are so short and sweet
The lilies nod to the forget-me-nots
When they're departing in their flower pots
But all the roses with their spirits high
Remain to love until they droop and die
And dear, why shouldn't it be
Just so with you and with me
In sunny Roseland, where summer breezes are playing
Where the honey bees are "A-Maying"
There all the roses are swaying
Dancing while the meadow brook flows
The moon when shining is more than ever designing
For 'tis ever then I am pining
Pining to be sweetly reclining
Somewhere in Roseland
Beside a beautiful rose
The lyrics to Teddy Wilson's "Rose Room" paint a vivid picture of a whimsical and romantic scenario. The singer is essentially inviting his/her beloved to a magical, imaginary room filled with blooming roses that also serves as Nature’s hall where the roses give an annual ball. The singer emphasizes the orchestra up in the trees created by the birds and bees, paired with a song under the summer sun shine by the Rose petals in the meadow. They are inviting their loved one to explore and enjoy the beauty of the natural world around them. As they are taking a stroll, they will enjoy the music and the playful breeze.
The singer describes a place where they can escape to that is separate from the harsh realities of everyday life. The lyrics are meant to invite listeners to revel in the beauty of the natural world, while also reflecting on the metaphorical implications of the natural life cycle.
Essentially, the song is urging its listeners to embrace the cyclical nature of life and love. It encourages them to revel in the beauty of the world around them and to take pleasure in the natural order of life. While the lyrics are simple, they speak to a deeper human instinct to find joy in the world around us, even as we all ultimately must succumb to the frailty of time.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to take you to a little room
I want to show you a special place
A little room where all the roses bloom
A place with beautiful flowers
I want to lead you into Nature's hall
I want to show you the wonders of nature
Where ev'ry year the roses give a ball
Where the roses have their own celebration
They have an orchestra up in the trees
The birds and bees make beautiful music
For their musicians are the birds and bees
The animals create the melodies
And they will sing us a song
And we can enjoy their music
As we are strolling along
As we walk together
In sunny Roseland, where summer breezes are playing
In a bright, warm place where the wind blows freely
Where the honey bees are "A-Maying"
Where the bees are busy working
There all the roses are swaying
Every rose moves with the breeze
Dancing while the meadow brook flows
Dancing in the presence of beauty
The moon when shining is more than ever designing
When the moon is bright, everything seems more beautiful
For 'tis ever then I am pining
For it is then that I long
Pining to be sweetly reclining
Longing to relax and enjoy
Somewhere in Roseland beside a beautiful rose
To be in a place surrounded by amazing nature
The ball is over and tulips meet
The celebration has ended and the flowers come together
Their little kisses are so short and sweet
Their farewell is quick but lovely
The lilies nod to the forget-me-nots
The lilies say goodbye to the forget-me-nots
When they're departing in their flower pots
As they leave in their containers
But all the roses with their spirits high
But the roses stay strong and vibrant
Remain to love until they droop and die
Stay beautiful until they wither away
And dear, why shouldn't it be
And why can't we be like that too
Just so with you and with me
Staying strong and beautiful together
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ART HICKMAN, HARRY WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
otakurocklee
Teddy Wilson is the best.