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.
When You're Smiling
Teddy Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you're smiling
The whole world smiles with you
When you're laughing
When you're laughing
The sun comes shining through
But when you're crying
You bring on the rain
Keep on smiling
'Cause when you're smiling
The whole world smiles with you
The song "When You're Smiling" is a joyful and uplifting tune that celebrates the power of happiness and positivity. The lyrics encourage listeners to embrace a positive outlook on life, and highlights the idea that happiness is contagious. The opening line, "When you're smiling, the whole world smiles with you," illustrates the idea that a smile can have a profound impact on those around you.
The lyrics also touch on the idea that laughter can bring light to even the darkest of situations. When the singer says, "When you're laughing, the sun comes shining through," they are suggesting that even when things seem difficult, finding joy and humor in life can help to brighten things up.
The final verse serves as a reminder that our emotions and attitude can have a ripple effect on those around us. When we are sad or upset, we can inadvertently bring others down with us. However, if we choose to focus on the positive and keep a smile on our face, we have the power to spread joy and happiness to those around us.
Overall, "When You're Smiling" is a delightful song that celebrates the power of positivity, reminding listeners to keep smiling and find joy in life even when things get tough.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're smiling
When you're showing joy on your face
When you're smiling
When you're showing joy on your face again
The whole world smiles with you
Others around you also feel happy and light-hearted when they see you smiling
When you're laughing
When you're finding amusement in something
When you're laughing
When you're enjoying a good laugh
The sun comes shining through
Good things start to happen when you're feeling happy
But when you're crying
But when you're feeling sad
You bring on the rain
It's as if you're making it rain with your tears
So stop your sighing be happy again
Don't let yourself get too down, try to find things that will make you happy again
Keep on smiling
Continue to show joy on your face
'Cause when you're smiling
Because when you're showing joy on your face
The whole world smiles with you
Others around you also feel happy and light-hearted when they see you smiling
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Joe Goodwin, Larry Shay, Mark Fisher
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@paulviardot4400
Brillante version
@gbrl007
what a great song...love it....so peppy and toe tapping.
Great solos too...
@SheridanJazz
Classic Lester Young. Right up there with "Lady Be Good"!
@jacksparu368
Absolutely classy
@SheridanJazz
Prez steals the show. Just sayin'.