"Don't Blame Me" by Billy Tipton

Tipton, Billy, 1914-1989
Jazz musicians
Transgender people
Jazz music -- audio recordings
The Billy Tipton Trio

This is an instrumental jazz performance of "Don't Blame Me," a popular standard, recorded by Billy Tipton and his group—the Billy Tipton Trio. The song has lyrics and words, but the Billy Tipton Trio did not have a main vocalist. Instead, Tipton played piano or saxophone, Dick O'Neil played drums, and Kenny Richards played bass. Tipton might have sang in some performances, but there is no recording of it.

The wordlessness of the music, but the expressiveness of the playing, compels one to ponder the spoken and unspoken parts of Tipton's life and career, and the different ways he conveyed them. Though born Dorothy Lucille Tipton, even in his school years he found a way to go by a different name—the nickname "Tippy." Then, as he started his professional music career, he took on the name "Billy." This was not a move without risk, and yet Tipton made it. How bitter, yet beautiful, that the secret he guarded so fiercely is today the thing that brings generations of new listeners to his music.

Please click on the second attached file to play and listen to the piece in your browser.

Billy Tipton
The Billy Tipton Trio

Sweet Georgia Brown (Album)

Tops Records

1957

Billy Tipton
Dick O'Neil
Kenny Richards

℗ 2013 Vintage Music

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Audio

None

mp4

https://youtu.be/TiRa8opWUSc

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Music

4:13

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Ever since the lucky night I found you
I've hung around you just like a fool
Falling head and heels in love like a kid out of school

My poor heart is in an awful state now
But it's too late now to call a halt

So if I become a nuisance it's all your fault

Don't blame me for falling in love with you
I'm under your spell but how can I help it
Don't blame me

Can't you see when you do the things you do!
If I can't conceal the thrill that I'm feeling
Don't blame me

I can't help it if that doggoned moon above
Makes me need someone like you to love!

Blame your kiss as sweet as a kiss can be
And blame all your charms that melt in my arms
But don't blame me

I like every single thing about you
Without a doubt you are like a dream
In my mind I find a picture of us as a team

Ever since the hour of our meeting
I've been repeating a silly phrase
Hoping that you'll understand me one of these days

Don't blame me for falling in love with you
I'm under your spell but how can I help it!
Don't blame me!

Can't you see when you do the things you do!
If I can't conceal the thrill that I'm feeling
Don't blame me

I can't help it if that doggoned moon above
Makes me need someone like you to love!

Blame your kiss as sweet as a kiss can be
And blame all your charms that melt in my arms
But don't blame me