Paul Whiteman’s career in music began in earnest at the dawn of the 1920s. By the middle of that decade he had earned himself the nickname “King of Jazz”. A bandleader, Whiteman took the position that jazz could be bettered through arrangement, where other saw pure improvisation as jazz’s true strength. Despite, or perhaps because of the “controversy” Whiteman’s arrangements and recordings were well received. His orchestra sought out fresh talent. One such case of talent was Mildred Bailey, signed by Whiteman to perform on his radio show. Bailey was born Mildred Rinker, and was Native American on her mother’s side. She kept the name of her first husband after they divorced, and it was Mildred Bailey who helped Bing Crosby start his career. Crosby, out of gratitude, introduced her to Paul Whiteman. This song was a 1932 release.
The long instrumental introduction on the track demonstrates the power of Whiteman’s lavish arrangements. They are absolutely fantastic at setting a mood. This song quickly establishes a sense of sentimental calm. This sense of calm is shaken up the lyrics, that speak of love gone wrong. Bailey absolutely nails the emotions of a lover who will never be the same since they parted from their other half. For the singer “stars have lost their meaning” and love was a “king” in her life, but she sadly notes that “kings can be wrong”. This exploration of heartache is brief, yet thorough all the same. As the lyrics conclude, the orchestration returns to guide the listener through the rest of the journey. The instrumentation almost serves as a comforting, quieter sound after Bailey’s powerful performance. The melancholy that was lurking just under the surface is free to exhibit itself, but its subdued manner allows the listener to relax.
Music Through the Mists of Time 