Basin Street Blues

Louis Armstrong

About Basin Street Blues

"Basin Street Blues" is a song often performed by Dixieland jazz bands, written by Spencer Williams in 1928 and recorded that year by Louis Armstrong. The verse with the lyric "Won't you come along with me / To the Mississippi..." was later added by Glenn Miller and Jack Teagarden. The Basin Street of the title refers to the main street of Storyville, the red-light district of early 20th-century New Orleans, north of the French Quarter. It became a red light district in 1897.


Year:
2012
3:28
40 
#2

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

Now won't you come along with me
To the Mississippi?
We'll take a trip to the land of dreams
Blowing down the river, down to New Orleans

The band is there to meet us
Old friends to greet us
That's where the line and the dark folks meet
A heaven on earth, they call it Basin Street

I said, Basin Street, Basin Street
Where the elite always meet
Down in New Orleans, the land of dreams
You'll never know how nice it seems

Or just how much it really means
Just to be, yes, siree, in New Orleans
The land of dreams where I can lose
My Basin Street blues

Now, you're glad you came with me
Down the Mississippi
We took a trip in a land of dreams
And floated down the river down to New Orleans

Where to, Basin Street, Basin Street
Where the elite always meet
Down in New Orleans, the land of dreams
You'll never know how, how much it seems

Or just how much it really means
Just to be, yes, siree, yeah, New Orleans
The land of dreams where I can lose
My Basin Street blues

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!


Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971), nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana. more »

15 fans

Written by: Spencer Williams

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


15 facts about this song

Jazz Origin
"Basin Street Blues" is a classic jazz song, reflecting American music's romantic perception of New Orleans' jazz scene.
Louis Armstrong Contribution
Louis Armstrong performed a famous rendition of "Basin Street Blues". This was one of his signature songs, and he performed it on numerous occasions, infusing it with his unique jazz style.
Glenn Miller's Version
Glenn Miller, an American big band trombonist and composer, also performed and recorded a memorable version of "Basin Street Blues".
Song History
"Basin Street Blues" was composed by Spencer Williams in 1926 and was originally performed by the Dixie Washboard Band.
Song Inspiration
The song Basin Street Blues is named for Basin Street, a main thoroughfare in New Orleans, which was a hotbed for early jazz.
Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra
In 1928, Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra recorded a version of "Basin Street Blues", which is considered one of the prominent versions of the song.
Louis Armstrong's documentaries
Armstrong's version of the song was featured in the 1956 classic documentary "Satchmo the Great" and also in the 1958 film "St Louis Blues".
Chart Popularity
In 1931, The Mills Brothers achieved a Top 10 hit with their rendition of "Basin Street Blues".
Influence on Other Artists
The song has been covered by many artists from different genres including Ella Fitzgerald, Dr. John, Sam Cooke, Bing Crosby, Miles Davis, and Frank Sinatra.
Historical Significance
The Basin Street referred to in the song was the center of the Storyville district, where legal prostitution was allowed in New Orleans between 1897 and 1917. A memorable line from the song is: "The place where old friends meet." After the practice was outlawed, the street's name was changed to North Saratoga.
Glenn Miller and his orchestra
On May 17, 1938, Glenn Miller and His Orchestra put forth their version of “Basin Street Blues'' which was instrumental without vocals.
Miller's Interpretation
Miller's practice of fading in solos over the melody, called the Miller Sound, can be distinctly heard in his interpretation of "Basin Street Blues".
Aesthetic of Armstrong's version
Armstrong's version of "Basin Street Blues" is characterized by his smooth vocal style and innovative trumpet playing, improvising with the melody and rhythm to create a distinctively personal interpretation.
Legacy
Both Armstrong and Miller's versions of "Basin Street Blues" have become a staple in the jazz repertoire and have contributed to the enduring popularity of the song.
Song Induction
In 2003, "Basin Street Blues" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. This award was established in 1973 to honor recordings of lasting qualitative or historical significance that are at least 25 years old.

Discuss the Basin Street Blues Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Basin Street Blues Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/29045511/Louis+Armstrong/Basin+Street+Blues>.

    Missing lyrics by Louis Armstrong?

    Know any other songs by Louis Armstrong? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Basin Street Blues

    1.4M
    11,689     0

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    In Luis Fonsi’s international hit song what does ‘Despacito’ mean?
    A Slowly
    B Rapidly
    C Generously
    D Carefully

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss Louis Armstrong's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    Louis Armstrong tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!

    Movies soundtrack

    Basin Street Blues

    »