Rollins was born in New York City to parents from the United States Virgin Islands. The youngest of three siblings, he grew up in central Harlem and on Sugar Hill, receiving his first alto saxophone at the age of seven or eight. He attended Edward W. Stitt Junior High School and graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School in East Harlem. Rollins started as a pianist, changed to alto saxophone, and finally switched to tenor in 1946. During his high school years, he played in a band with other future jazz legends Jackie McLean, Kenny Drew, and Art Taylor.
As a saxophonist he had initially been attracted to the jump and R&B sounds of performers like Louis Jordan, but soon became drawn into the mainstream tenor saxophone tradition. The German critic Joachim Berendt described this tradition as sitting between the two poles of the strong sonority of Coleman Hawkins and the light flexible phrasing of Lester Young, which did so much to inspire the fleet improvisation of bebop in the 1950s. Other tenor saxophone influences include Ben Webster and Don Byas. By his mid-teens, Rollins became heavily influenced by alto saxophonist Charlie Parker. During his high school years, he was mentored by the pianist and composer Thelonious Monk, often rehearsing at Monk's apartment.
Rollins has played, at various times, a Selmer Mark VI tenor saxophone and a Buescher Aristocrat. During the 1970s he recorded on soprano saxophone for the album Easy Living. His preferred mouthpieces are made by Otto Link and Berg Larsen. He uses Frederick Hemke medium reeds.
St. Thomas
Sonny Rollins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning
Embrace me, you irreplaceable you!
Just one look at you
My heart grew tipsy in me,
You and you alone
Bring out the gypsy in me!
I love all, the many charms about you!
Above all, I want my arms about you!
Don't be a naughty baby,
Come to papa, come to papa, do!
My sweet embraceable you!
The lyrics of "St. Thomas" by Sonny Rollins were not written by him, but by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin for the musical "Girl Crazy" in 1930. The song has since become a jazz standard and has been recorded by many jazz musicians. The song's lyrics speak of a love that is so strong, it makes one feel tipsy and brings out the gypsy within. The song addresses the object of the singer's affection, urging them to embrace him, as they are an irreplaceable part of his life.
The repeated refrain of "embrace me" captures the longing of the singer for the physical and emotional warmth of his loved one. The song conveys a sense of playful urgency in the way it addresses the object of the singer's desire, commanding them to come to him and not be a "naughty baby". There is a sense of passion and joy in the song, with the singer expressing their love for all the many charms of the other person, but especially their desire to have their arms around them. The song captures the exhilaration of a new and intense love, tinged with a sense of whimsy and mischief.
Line by Line Meaning
Embrace me, my sweet embraceable you!
Hold me tight, my precious and irreplaceable love!
Embrace me, you irreplaceable you!
Hold me tight, you unique and irreplaceable person!
Just one look at you
With only a glance at you
My heart grew tipsy in me,
I felt dizzy with love,
You and you alone
Only you,
Bring out the gypsy in me!
Stir up the wanderlust and free spirit within me!
I love all, the many charms about you!
I adore every delightful attribute you possess!
Above all, I want my arms about you!
Most importantly, I desire to hug you!
Don't be a naughty baby,
Don't misbehave,
Come to papa, come to papa, do!
Come to me, come on, please!
My sweet embraceable you!
My darling, holdable love!
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Unison Rights S.L., Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jim Glass
This never gets old.
loveyouall66
YOU GOT THAT RIGHT MY FRIEND.
Niels van Oostenbrugge
Nope, after 20 years (since i got this cd), it doesn’t! Can’t recall how many times i’ve listened to this tune, and each time i shake like an epileptic..
Jake
It’s legend but cheesy too 😂👍🏻
Evan Mendez
I had to transcribe it for class, it definitely gets old lol
AjarSensation
... only better!
Jon Powers
One of the great drum solos on record. Plus Sonny SLAYS it. This album will always have a place in my heart.
Postatility
I always loved how Max comes out of the cute little Caribbean rhythm in his solo and starts bashin'!
Kade Hennacy
There is 99.9% chance the melody will get stuck in your head.
Sinfull Warrior24
3edgy 5me nah