I'm An Errand Boy For Rhythm
Before his international acclaim as a pop vocalist, Nathaniel Adams Coles b… Read Full Bio ↴Before his international acclaim as a pop vocalist, Nathaniel Adams Coles built an indelible reputation as a jazz pianist in the groundbreaking combo, The King Cole Trio. Born into a musical family, young Nat Coles (later changed to Cole) recorded with his older brother, Edward, in 1936 for the Decca label. The four sides cut by Eddie Cole's Solid Swingers gave the general public its first glimpse of Nat's gentle yet lively piano riffs. After touring with a revival show of Eubie Blake's revue Shuffle Along, Cole settled in Los Angeles, playing various nightclubs as a soloist. In 1937, club owner Bob Lewis suggested that Cole assemble a small band to work at his Swanee Inn on North La Brea. The group's unorthodox instrumentation and size - they had no drummer and, at the time, big bands were the rage - featured Wesley Prince on bass and the innovative phrasings of electric guitarist Oscar Moore. The Trio's blend of jump blues and jazzy instrumentals with bouncy vocal stylings was a collective effort, while Cole occasionally took the lead on standard ballads. After an uneventful 1939 session for the Davis & Schwegler recording company in Hollywood, The Trio accompanied Lionel Hampton on two recording dates the following summer. Their association with Hampton helped, and that winter The Trio signed with Decca. Their 1940-41 sessions for the label yielded sixteen songs and captured the attention of fellow musicians, fans and a handful of critics. Later that fall, The Trio sounded right at home with drummer Lee Young on a four-song session for the Ammor label. In 1942, Cole recorded with Red Callender and saxophonist Lester Young for the Philo/Aladdin label, Oscar Moore with Cole at the piano. Image courtesy of the Dave Dexter, Jr. Collection.producing a handful of recordings that became benchmarks in their individual careers. Signing with Capitol Records in 1943, The Trio consisted of Cole, Moore, and Johnny Miller, who had settled in as the permanent bassist. Moore left the fold in 1947 and Irving Ashby replaced him. Capitol Records featured The Trio less and less after that, while Cole was singled out as a vocalist often backed by lush string orchestras. By the 1950's, Cole's reputation as a singer had reached a wide pop audience and, upon his death in 1965, his place in music history was forever cemented. His fellow jazz peers, however, never forgot his equally unique touch on the piano and the influence his early trio work had on later performers such as Oscar Peterson, Red Garland, and Tommy Flanagan.

I'm An Errand Boy For Rhythm
The Nat King Cole Trio Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Here's something that I'd like to bring to you
Wrapped all in cellophane
Designed for you

I'll tell you what it's all about
It is without a doubt
Swingin' the latest style
Service with a smile

If you want to swing and shout
Get your heels and get about
I'm an errand girl for rhythm
Send me

Just get hip and follow through
I'll deliver straight to you
I'm an errand girl for rhythm
Send me

You can always find me down at Smokey Joe's
That's where all the hip and groovy people go

If you want variety
Take the tip and call for me
I'm an errand girl for rhythm
Send me

You can always find me down at Smokey Joe's
That's where all the smart and swingin' people go

If you want variety
Take a tip and call on me
I'm an errand girl for rhythm





I'm an errand girl for rhythm
Send me

Overall Meaning

The Nat King Cole Trio's "I'm an Errand Boy for Rhythm" is a song that celebrates the joy of music through the perspective of a person who loves being a messenger of rhythm. The lyrics start by introducing the listener to a gift that the singer wants to give, which is wrapped in cellophane and is designed specifically for the listener. The gift, as revealed later in the song, is the experience of swingin' the latest style and receiving service with a smile. The singer's passion for delivering rhythm is evident in the lyrics, with lines like "If you want to swing and shout, get your heels and get about" and "Take the tip and call for me".


The song talks about the singer's chosen profession - being an errand girl for rhythm. It is revealed that the singer can be found at Smokey Joe's - a place where all the hip and groovy people go. The offer to the listener is to hire the singer's services to experience variety in rhythm. The lyrics also speak of the singer's confidence in delivering what the listener wants - "Just get hip and follow through, I'll deliver straight to you".


Overall, the song is an ode to the power of music and its ability to bring joy and rhythm into people's lives. It also celebrates the role of a messenger in bridging the gap between the rhythm and the listener.


Line by Line Meaning

Here's something that I'd like to bring to you
I have something special to offer you


Wrapped all in cellophane
It's packaged and ready to go


Designed for you
Tailored to your needs and preferences


I'll tell you what it's all about
Let me explain the concept to you


It is without a doubt
It's definitely what you're looking for


Swingin' the latest style
Playing the newest, most popular music


Service with a smile
I'll provide excellent customer service


If you want to swing and shout
If you're in the mood to dance and have fun


Get your heels and get about
Put on your dancing shoes and let's go


I'm an errand girl for rhythm
I'm here to provide the music and make sure you have a good time


Send me
Just let me know where and when


Just get hip and follow through
Just stay current and trust me to provide the latest music


I'll deliver straight to you
I'll bring the music directly to you


You can always find me down at Smokey Joe's
I'm often at a popular spot where people go to have fun and dance


That's where all the hip and groovy people go
It's a place where the coolest and most fashionable people like to hang out


If you want variety
If you want a diverse selection of music


Take the tip and call for me
Just give me a call and I'll provide the music you're looking for


That's where all the smart and swingin' people go
It's a place where the most intelligent and fashionable people like to hang out


I'm an errand girl for rhythm
I'm here to serve you and provide the best music


Send me
Just let me know where and when




Lyrics Ā© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: NAT KING COLE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@kylehernandez8181

Amazing footage! Thank you for uploading, its funny you see nat clapping in the background of the video when the girl is dancing while in the audio recording he is taking a solo! haha

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