Early in his career Setzer was a member of the NYC band Bloodless Pharaohs, and later fronted the popular rockabilly revival band, Stray Cats. The Stray Cats particularly caught America's attention with the 1982 album Built for Speed, which included the two Top Ten hits, "Rock This Town" (#9) and "Stray Cat Strut" (#3), as well as with the follow-up 1983 album Rant 'N Rave, which included the two successful singles "(She's) Sexy + 17" (#5), and "I Won't Stand In Your Way" (#35).
In the mid 1990s, Setzer led a comeback of sorts for swing music and big band music, when he formed Brian Setzer Orchestra. The band has released at least 5 albums to date and one live DVD. This group had one hit, "Jump, Jive, and Wail" around the same time swing revival acts like the Cherry Poppin' Daddies' "Zoot Suit Riot" had been received favorably in mainstream America.
Brian Setzer also recorded some solo albums during Stray Cats' break in the 1980s along with some in the 1990s. In 2001 he released an album titled Ignition with his band '68 Comeback Special. A new solo album titled Rockabilly Riot Vol. 1: A Tribute To Sun Records was released on July 26, 2005, in the United States.
From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Setzer
Pennsylvania 6-5000
The Brian Setzer Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everyone's uncle and cousin
But I can't live without buzzin'
Pennsylvania Six, Five Thousand
I've got a sweety I know there
Someone who sets me aglow there
Gives me the sweetest "hello there"
Pennsylvania Six, Five Thousand
And very seldom ask "what's new?"
Instead we start and end each call with
"Baby confidentially I love you"
Maybe it sounds a bit funny
When I'm away from my honey
Here's what I do with my money
Pennsylvania Six, Five Thousand
Numbers I've got by the dozen
Everyone's uncle and cousin
But I can't live without buzzin'
Pennsylvania Six, Five Thousand
I've got a sweety I know there
Someone who sets me aglow there
Gives me the sweetest "hello there"
Pennsylvania Six, Five Thousand
We don't say "how are you"
And very seldom ask "what's new?"
Instead we start and end each call with
"Baby confidentially I love you"
Maybe it sounds a bit funny
When I'm away from my honey
Here's what I do with my money
Pennsylvania Six, Five Thousand
In The Brian Setzer Orchestra's song, "Pennsylvania 6-5000," the lyrics describe a person who has an abundance of phone numbers, but he can't live without buzzing his sweetheart at the Pennsylvania 6-5000 number. He is in love with someone in Pennsylvania, and this song is a tribute to her. Throughout the song, he talks about how they communicate with each other and how they express their love. Instead of asking "how are you" or "what's new," they start and end each call with "Baby confidentially I love you." The song’s lyrics express a sense of longing and desire to be with the person he loves during times of separation.
The song was popularized in the 1940s by Glenn Miller and his orchestra, and The Brian Setzer Orchestra's version pays homage to the big band era. The lyrics and upbeat tempo of the song capture the essence of a bygone era when phone numbers were exchanged on slips of paper and served as a lifeline to loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
Numbers I've got by the dozen
I have many phone numbers in my possession.
Everyone's uncle and cousin
I have many phone numbers of people who are somehow related to me or known to me.
But I can't live without buzzin'
I am used to making phone calls and cannot live without doing so.
Pennsylvania Six, Five Thousand
The phone number that I always dial is Pennsylvania 6-5000.
I've got a sweety I know there
I have a sweetheart who lives in the area where Pennsylvania 6-5000 is the area code.
Someone who sets me aglow there
My sweetheart brightens up my life when I am in that area.
Gives me the sweetest 'hello there'
My sweetheart greets me in the sweetest way possible over the phone.
We don't say 'how are you'
We do not ask each other about our well-being.
And very seldom ask 'what's new?'
We do not usually inquire about each other's daily activities.
Instead we start and end each call with 'Baby confidentially I love you'
We express our love to each other during every phone conversation, from start to end.
Maybe it sounds a bit funny
Some people might find it amusing or strange.
When I'm away from my honey
While I am not in the same place as my sweetheart.
Here's what I do with my money
I spend my money on making phone calls to my sweetheart.
Pennsylvania Six, Five Thousand
The phone number that I always dial is Pennsylvania 6-5000.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CARL SIGMAN, GLENN MILLER, JERRY GRAY, WILLIAM FINEGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SSGTA440
This shows the absolute brilliance of Mr Setzer....to be able to bridge music....from different ages....fabulous...
@demef758
Agreed. It also makes me wonder what Mr. Miller might think of it....
@sultansnark5522
@@demef758 Major Miller and 'da Boyz would be givng Brian a standing ovation!
@cats0182
Bridge the music? In my opinion, he blew up the bridge.
@albertwgray
My Dad, Jerry Gray wrote the music for Glenn Miller. But I love this version! Great Job!
@peternorthover1076
Awesome
@headron66
And here we are listening in 2023. Great job dad!
@waynerm401
Swing-a-Billy!
@LeonardoUbago
Oh God, how I enjoy and love this piece, thanks!!
@veteransleblanc1791
Extra ! Merci Brian....