William John Evans, known as Bill Evans (August 16, 1929–September 15, 1980) was an American jazz pianist. His use of impressionist harmony, inventive interpretation of traditional jazz repertoire, and trademark rhythmically independent, "singing" melodic lines influenced a generation of pianists. He is considered by some to be the most influential post-World War II jazz pianist. Evans had a distinct playing posture in which his neck would often be stooped very low, and his face parallel to the piano.
Evans is an inductee of the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame.
Bill Evans was born in Plainfield, New Jersey, United States, to a mother of Rusyn ancestry and a father of Welsh descent. He received his first musical training at his mother's church. Evans' mother was an amateur pianist with an interest in modern classical composers, and Evans began classical piano lessons at age six. He also became a proficient flautist by age 13 and could play the violin.
At age 12, Evans filled in for his older brother Harry in Buddy Valentino's band. At this age he was able to interpret classical music, but he couldn't improvise. In the beginning, he played exactly what was written in the sheet, but soon started trying to improvise, while learning about harmonies in the songs and how to alter them. Meanwhile, he was playing dance music (and jazz) at home, in a recording studio he built in his family's basement.. In the late 1940s, Evans played boogie woogie in various New Jersey clubs. He attended Southeastern Louisiana University on a music scholarship, and in 1950 performed Beethoven's Third Piano Concerto on his senior recital there, graduating with a degree in piano performance and teaching. He was also among the founding members of SLU's Delta Omega Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and played quarterback for the fraternity's football team, helping them win the school's 1949 intramural tournament.
Dee doody doom doom
Dee doody doom doom
Dee doody doom doom, DOOM
Seven little girls sittin' in the back seat
Huggin and a'kissin with Fred
I said, why don't one of you come up and sit beside me
And this is what the seven girls said
All together now, one, two, three
Keep you mind on your drivin'
Keep you hands on the wheel
Keep your snoopy eyes on the road ahead
We're havin' fun sittin' in the back seat
Kissin' and a'huggin with Fred
Dee doody doom doom, dee doody doom doom
Dee doody doom doom, DOOM
Drove through the town, drove through the country
Showed 'em how a motor could go
I said, how do you like my triple carburetor
And one of them whispered low
All together now, one, two, three
Keep you mind on your drivin'
Keep you hands on the wheel
Keep your snoopy eyes on the road ahead
We're havin' fun sittin' in the back seat
Kissin' and a'huggin with Fred
Dee doody doom doom, dee doody doom doom
Dee doody doom doom, DOOM
Seven little girls smoochin' in the back seat
Every one in love with Fred
I said "you don't need me, I'll get off at my house"
And this is what the seven girls said
All together now, one, two, three
Keep you mind on your drivin'
Keep you hands on the wheel
Keep your snoopy eyes on the road ahead
We're havin' fun sittin' in the back seat
Kissin' and a'huggin with Fred
All of them in love with Fred
Dee doody doom doom
Kissin' and a'huggin with Fred
Dee doody doom doom
Wish that I could be like Fred
Hello, this is Joannie, I'm sorry but I'm not home
But if you leave me your name and number
I promise, soon as I get in I'll phone
Joannie, came over to my house last night
I drank a little too much red and we got into a fight
She said I'm leavin' and I let her go alone
I felt so damn bad this morning, I reached right for the phone
And called her right away, to beg her to forgive
The phone rang once, the phone rang twice
And then I heard her say-hey
Hello, this is Joannie, I'm sorry but I'm not home
But if you leave me your name and number
I promise, soon as I get in I'll phone
Joannie, I'm sorry and I'm feelin' oh so small
That was the message that I left and I waited for her call
I waited with a sinkin' feeling in my heart
Not knowin' if she'd forgive me was tearin' me apart
I couldn't go on this way, I had to call again
The phone rang once, the phone rang twice
And then I heard her say-hey
Hello, this is Joannie, I'm sorry but I'm not home
But if you leave me your name and number
I promise, soon as I get in I'll phone
My phone rang and my heart sang, my baby's called at last
Instead it was a friend who said that Joannie's car had crashed
I never should've let her drive home angry from my place
I'd never hold her again and kiss that funny face
But still there was a way to hear her voice again
The phone rang once, the phone rang twice
And then I heard her say-hey
Hello, this is Joannie, I'm sorry but I'm not home
(I'm so sorry Joannie)
But if you leave me your name and number
I promise, soon as I get in I'll phone
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Hello, this is Joannie, I'm sorry but I'm not home
But if you leave me your name and number
I promise, soon as I get in I'll phone
I can laugh when things ain't funny
Ha, ha, happy-go-lucky me
Yea, I can smile when I ain't got no money
Ha, ha, happy-go-lucky me
It may sound silly, but I don't care
I got the moonlight, I got the sun
I got the stars above
Me and my filly
Well, we both share
Slappy-go-happy, happy-go-lucky love
Well, life is sweet
Whoa-ho, sweet as honey