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.
Tea For Two
Teddy Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just tea for two and two for tea,
Just me for you
And you for me alone.
Nobody near us
To see us or hear us,
No friends or relations
We won't have it known, dear,
That we own a telephone, dear;
Day will break and you'll awake
And start to bake a sugar cake,
For me to take
For all the boys to see.
We will raise a family,
A boy for you, a girl for me.
Oh, can't you see
How happy we would be?
The first verse of Teddy Wilson's song Tea For Two speaks to the simple pleasure of two people enjoying each other's company. The imagery of being seated upon someone's knee elevates the romance and intimacy of the setting. The song selection of tea for two puts focus on the togetherness rather than an elaborate display of wealth through expensive food or activities. The refrain of "Just me for you and you for me alone" reinforces the exclusivity and special bond shared between the two individuals.
The second verse delves deeper into the couple's relationship, highlighting the privacy they desire. They want no one else around to witness their affection, which could imply that their love isn't yet approved of. The reference to not owning a telephone indicates the time period the song was written in, making an argument that it's easier to keep secrets without the technology we have today. The final line of the verse is a bit more peculiar as it breaks from the scene-setting mode and hasn't been established as a morning ritual until now. The mention of a sugar cake could be seen as something celebratory or just an indulgence to say thank you to the other.
Line by Line Meaning
Picture you upon my knee
Imagine sitting upon my lap
Just tea for two and two for tea,
Just two of us having tea together
Just me for you
Only me for you
And you for me alone.
And only you for me
Nobody near us
No one is around us
To see us or hear us,
No one will see or hear us
No friends or relations
No friends or family
On weekend vacations.
Away on a weekend trip
We won't have it known, dear,
We don't want anyone to know
That we own a telephone, dear;
We don't want to be disturbed by phone calls
Day will break and you'll awake
Morning will come and you'll wake up
And start to bake a sugar cake,
You'll start baking a cake
For me to take
For me to eat
For all the boys to see.
For all of our friends to enjoy
We will raise a family,
We will have kids
A boy for you, a girl for me.
A son for you and a daughter for me
Oh, can't you see
Don't you see it?
How happy we would be?
We would be so happy
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IRVING CAESAR, VINCENT YOUMANS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind