Thomas Francis Dorsey, Jr. was born in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, and started out only 16 years later in Allentown, Pennsylvania, with big band leader Russ Morgan in the famous pick-up band of the 1920s "The Scranton Sirens".
Tommy and his brother Jimmy worked in several bands, including those of Rudy Vallee, Vincent Lopez, and especially Paul Whiteman, before forming the original Dorsey Brothers Orchestra in 1934. Ongoing acrimony between the brothers, however, led to Tommy Dorsey's walking out to form his own band in 1935, just as the Orchestra was having a hit with "Every Little Moment."
Tommy Dorsey's first band formed out of the remnant of the Joe Haymes band, and his smooth, lyrical trombone style – whether on ballads or on no-holds-barred swingers – became one of the signature sounds of both his band and the Swing Era. The new band hit from almost the moment it signed with RCA Victor with "On Treasure Island", the first of four hits for the new band that year. That led to a run of 137 Billboard chart hits, including his theme song, "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You" (which showcases his phenomenal range and masterful mute use, reaching up to the high C #), "Marie", "The Big Apple", "Music, Maestro, Please", "I'll Never Smile Again", "This Love of Mine", "On the Sunny Side of the Street", "T.D.'s Boogie Woogie", "Well, Git 'It", "Opus One", "Manhattan Serenade", and "There Are Such Things" – among many others.
The band featured a number of the best instrumentalists in jazz at the time, including trumpeters Bunny Berigan, Ziggy Elman, George Seaberg, Carl "Doc" Severinsen, and Charlie Shavers, pianist Jess Stacy, trumpeter/arranger/composer Sy Oliver (who wrote "Well, Git 'It" and "Opus One"), clarinetists Buddy DeFranco, Johnny Mince and Peanuts Hucko drummers Buddy Rich, Louis Bellson, Gene Krupa and Dave Tough and singers Jack Leonard, Edythe Wright, Jo Stafford, Dick Haymes and Frank Sinatra. Sinatra achieved his first great success as a vocalist in the Dorsey band and claimed he learned breath control from watching Dorsey play trombone. Dorsey said his trombone style was heavily influenced by that of Jack Teagarden. Another member of the Dorsey band probably spent considerable time observing and listening to Sy Oliver's striking arrangements: trombonist Nelson Riddle, whose later partnership as Sinatra's major arranger and conductor is considered to have revolutionised post-World War II popular music.
Dorsey might have broken up his own band permanently following World War II, as many big bands did due to the shift in music economics following the war, and he did disband the orchestra at the end of 1946. But a top-ten selling album (All-Time Hits) made it possible for Dorsey to re-organise a big band in early 1947.
The biographical film of 1947, "The Fabulous Dorseys" describes sketchy details of how the brothers got their start from-the-bottom-up into the jazz era of one-nighters, the early days of radio in its infancy stages, and the onward march when both brothers ended up with Paul Whiteman before 1935 when The Dorsey Brothers' Orchestra split into two.
The Dorsey brothers themselves later reconciled – Jimmy Dorsey had had to break up his own highly successful big band in 1953, and brother Tommy invited him to join up as a feature attraction – but before long Tommy renamed the band the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra. On December 26, 1953, the brothers appeared with their orchestra on Jackie Gleason's CBS television show, which was preserved on kinescope and later released on home video by Gleason. The brothers took the unit on tour and onto their own television show, Stage Show, from 1954 to 1956, on which they introduced Elvis Presley to national television audiences, among others.
Without a Song
Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra Lyrics
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Without a song the road would never bend
When things go wrong a man ain't got a friend
Without a song
That field of corn would never see a plow
That field of corn would be deserted now
A man is born but he's no good no how
Without a song
And I'll get along as long as a song, strong in my soul
I'll never know what makes the rain to fall
I'll never know what makes that grass so tall
I only know there ain't no love at all
Without a song
I've-a got my trouble and woe and, sure as I know, the Jordan will roll
And I'll get along as long as a song, strong in my soul
I'll-a never know what makes that rain to fall
I'll never know what makes the grass so tall
I only know there ain't no love at all
Without a song
The song "Without a Song" by Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra talks about the influence of music and song in our lives. The lyrics suggest that without music, life feels incomplete, and we lack a friend when things go wrong. The song explains that a person without music is as good as barren land, with no purpose or meaning.
The song seems to highlight the importance of music in human emotions and struggles. The lyrics take the listener on a journey exploring the impact of music on our lives, and how it can bring hope and strength even in the darkest of times. The song emphasizes the power of music, stating that it is a source of comfort and an unyielding companion to those who have it in their hearts.
Overall, the song "Without a Song" emphasizes the importance of music in our lives. It highlights the role of music as an essential part of the human experience, providing comfort, hope, and meaning even in difficult times. The song encourages listeners to appreciate the power of music and its ability to uplift and inspire.
Line by Line Meaning
Without a song the day would never end
The melody of a song fills up one's day, making it much more enjoyable.
Without a song the road would never bend
Music gives direction and purpose to an individual's journey in life.
When things go wrong a man ain't got a friend
In times of trouble, music is often the only company one may have.
Without a song
The absence of music creates a dull and unfulfilling life.
That field of corn would never see a plow
Just like how a field cannot be cultivated without farming tools, life cannot be enriched without music.
That field of corn would be deserted now
Without music, the world would be a bleak and lifeless place.
A man is born but he's no good no how
Without music, life would lose its purpose, making existence meaningless.
I got my trouble and woe but, sure as I know, the Jordan will roll
Despite difficulties, music gives hope that life will continue to move forward.
And I'll get along as long as a song, strong in my soul
Music provides emotional strength, helping one to overcome life's challenges.
I'll never know what makes the rain to fall
There are many mysteries in life, and music may help alleviate the fear of the unknown.
I'll never know what makes that grass so tall
Music serves as a constant reminder of life's mysteries, often inspiring curiosity and appreciation for the natural world.
I only know there ain't no love at all
Without music, the world would be devoid of a universal language of love and emotion.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BILLY ROSE, EDWARD ELISCU, VINCENT YOUMANS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Caroline StClair
I like this recording the best. The pause in the middle and then start up again just makes it.
Louis Philippe
Thanks for sharing but this recording was made in 1961 as part of Sinatra's Reprise LP I Remember Tommy with Sy Oliver arranging. Tommy had passed on by the time of this recording
RoundMidnightTV
Louis Phillipe Thank you for the correction.
Taro Kimura
+Louis Phillipe Yes, That's it!
maureen1938
Thanks for posting this super share......drool....drool...drool...I LOVE Frankie.
Arne Reidar Hole
This rocording is NOT with Tommy Dorsey & his Orchestra! The orchestra is Sy Ollivers! Olliver was the arranger in Dorseys orchestra in the 1940ies an 50ies. Tommy Dorsey died five years before this recording!
Mbari Hogun
Had To Share! #ThankYou ~