Woodrow Charles Herman (May 16, 1913 – October 29, 1987), better known as W… Read Full Bio ↴Woodrow Charles Herman (May 16, 1913 – October 29, 1987), better known as Woody Herman, was an American jazz clarinetist, alto and soprano saxophonist, singer, and Big band leader. During his lifetime, he led some of the most exciting big bands of the twentieth century. His bands changed styles and approaches to jazz but still managed to keep their musical integrity.

Herman was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As a child he worked as a singer in vaudeville, then became a professional saxophone player at age 15. When Isham Jones's band, of which Herman had been a member, broke up in 1936, he formed his own band, the Woody Herman Orchestra, with some of his band mates. This band became known for its orchestrations of the blues and was sometimes billed as "The Band That Plays The Blues".

On April 12, 1939 Woody Herman recorded his greatest commercial and mega popular hit record "Woodchoppers' Ball", featuring Woody on clarinet, Neal Ried on trombone, Saxie Mansfield on Sax, Steady Nelson on trumpet and Hy White on guitar. Other big early hits were "Blue Flame," "Dupree Blues", "Blues Upstairs and Downstairs" and "Blues in the Night" with Joe Bishop on flugelhorn, Tommy Linehans on piano, Cappy Lewis on trumpet, and the strong rhythm team of Walt Yoder and Frankie Carlson.

This popular swing band took off and was listed number three in the country in a popularity poll by Down Beat Magazine in 1940. This band recorded for the Decca label. The band was first pinned "Herman's Herd" in a Martin band instrument advertisement in the same magazine on April 1, 1941.

This band's music was heavily influenced by Duke Ellington and Count Basie. Its lively, swinging arrangements, combining bop themes with swing rhythm parts, were greatly admired; Igor Stravinsky wrote "Ebony Concerto" for this band. Other pieces for which the band was known include "Caldonia" and "Northwest Passage." During this time, Woody Herman recorded for the Columbia label. Featured musicians were trumpeter Sonny Berman,trumpeter/arranger Neil Hefti, trumpeter/vocalist Steady Nelson, tenor saxist Flip Phillips, trombonist Bill Harris, vibraphonist Red Norvo, pianist/arranger Ralph Burns, drummers Davey Tough and Don Lamond and bassist Chubby Jackson, who was the driving force/talent scout behind the bands progressive development.

Herman was forced to disband the orchestra in 1946 at the height of its success, his only financially successful band, to spend more time with his wife and family. During this time, he and his family had just moved into the former Hollywood home of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. Another reason Herman may have disbanded was his wife Charlotte's growing problems with alcoholism and pill addiction. In 1947 Herman organized the Second Herd and in 1948 moved to the Capitol label. This band featured a cooler sound, provided by such musicians as Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Serge Chaloff, Al Cohn, Gene Ammons, Lou Levy, Oscar Pettiford, Terry Gibbs, Shelly Manne, and Herbie Steward. Among this band's hits were "Early Autumn," "The Goof and I," and "Four Brothers". This band was also known as the Four Brothers band.

Herman's many later bands included the Third Herd and the New Thundering Herd. He was known for hiring the best young musicians and using their arrangements. His band's book consequently came to be heavily influenced by rock and roll.

By the 1970s, Herman had returned to straight forward jazz, dropping some of the newer, even rock-oriented approaches. A highlight of the nineteen seventies was the appearance of the Woody Herman orchestra with Frank Sinatra at Madison Square Garden for his "Main Event" television special and "Main Event" recording for Reprise records.

He continued to perform into the 1980s, chiefly to pay back taxes caused by an incompetent manager in the 1960s. When his health began to fail, he delegated most of his duties to leader of the reed section, Frank Tiberi, before his death in 1987. Tiberi leads the band in performances to this day.

After the death of Herman, Charles Mingus, and other jazz greats, ASCAP created a retirement fund in 1991 to which artists were given the opportunity to fund their latter years when they no longer were recording artists.

At the Woodchopper's Ball
Woody Herman Lyrics

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Sing, sing, sing, sing everybody start to sing like dee dee dee, bah bah bah dah
Now you're singin' with a swing
Sing sing sing, sing, everybody start to sing like dee dee dee, bah bah bah dah
Now you're singin' with a swing.

When the music goes around,
Everybody's goes go to town.
But here is one thing you should know

Sing sing sing sing everybody start to sing like dee dee dee, bah bah bah dah
Now you're singin' with a swing

Swing swing swing swing, listen to the trumpet swing
Blow blow blow blow, listen to the trombones go

When the music goes around,
Everybody's goes go to town.
But here is one thing you should know
Sing sing sing sing everybody start to sing like dee dee dee, bah bah bah dah
Everybody go!

Sing sing sing sing everybody start to sing like dee dee dee, bah bah bah dah
Now you're singin' with a swing
Sing sing sing sing everybody start to sing like dee dee dee, bah bah bah dah
Now you're singin' with a swing

Swing swing swing, everybody start to swing
Now your swingin' while you sing
When the music goes around, everybody goes to town
Just relax and take is slow

SIng sing

Start singing, keep swinging
Now you're singing with a swing

Overall Meaning

"At the Woodchopper's Ball" is a song performed by Woody Herman and his Orchestra. The lyrics convey the message that the music has begun and it's time to start singing with a swing. The opening lines of the chorus – “Sing, sing, sing, sing everybody start to sing like dee dee dee, bah bah bah dah, Now you're singin' with a swing” is a callout to everyone in the audience to participate and enjoy the music. The lyrics also highlight the significance of the rhythm section of the band, the trombones, and trumpets, which are instrumental in delivering the swing in the music.

The refrain loop continuously emphasizes the importance of singing with a swing and how it uplifts the mood of the music. The line “When the music goes around, everybody's goes go to town” promotes the idea of going out and having fun, and enjoying the swing music which was very popular in the 1930s and inspired the swing dancing movement. The song also emphasizes the need to relax, take it slow, and enjoy the music, working as an antidote to the stress of daily life.

Line by Line Meaning

Sing, sing, sing, sing everybody start to sing like dee dee dee, bah bah bah dah
Let your voice out with joy, singing together with the crowd and adding your unique flair.

Now you’re singing with a swing
Sing with a light, bouncy rhythm that makes your body want to dance along.

Swing, swing, swing, swing, listen to the trumpet swing
Allow yourself to be swept up in the swinging rhythms of the trumpet.

Blow, blow, blow, blow, listen to the trombones go
Pay attention to the deep, resonant tones of the trombone and let them fill your ears with sound.

When the music goes around, everybody's goes go to town
When the music starts playing, everyone is drawn to come together and celebrate.

But here is one thing you should know, sing sing sing sing everybody start to sing like dee dee dee, bah bah bah dah
But even if you don't know the words or tune, just let yourself be carried away by the communal energy.

Everybody go!
Everyone can join in, regardless of skill or experience.

Swing, swing, swing, everybody start to swing
Let yourself move in time with the driving beat, feeling the music take control.

Now your swingin' while you sing
You can dance and sing at the same time, letting yourself be fully immersed in the rhythm.

Just relax and take it slow
Don't worry about keeping up or getting everything right - just enjoy the moment.

Start singing, keep swinging, now you're singing with a swing
Push yourself to keep up with the fast tempo, and soon you'll be completely caught up in the joy of the music.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOE BISHOP, WOODY HERMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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