Her first album, Abbey Lincoln's Affair, A Story of a Girl in Love was released in 1956. Also that year Lincoln starred in the film The Girl Can't Help It, for which she famously wore a dress worn by Marilyn Monroe.
Lincoln sang on the 1960s landmark jazz civil rights recording, We Insist! - Freedom Now Suite in 1960 by jazz musician and Lincolns husband from 1962-1970, Max Roach. Especially since this album, Abbey Lincoln was connected to the political fight against racism in the United States.
She co-starred with Sidney Poitier and Beau Bridges in 1968's For Love of Ivy and received a 1969 Golden Globe nomination for her appearance in the film. She also starred in the 1990 Spike Lee movie Mo' Better Blues.
In 2003, she received the National Endowment for the Arts NEA Jazz Masters Award.
Lincoln died on August 14, 2010 in Manhattan at the age of 80. Although no official cause of death was given, Lincoln had suffered deteriorating health following open heart surgery in 2007. She passed away in a Manhattan nursing home.
And It's Supposed To Be Love
Abbey Lincoln Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Showing me the sun
And now it's shining through
It's nice to be with you
Hey, I like the things you say
And I like the way
You do the things you do
It's nice to be with you
To someone new
They just turn it blue
But this time is my time
And my time is all the time
I have to be with you
So, please, never go away
Say you're going to stay
And make my dreams come true
It's nice to be with you
Each time that I give my heart
To someone new
They just turn it blue
But this time is my time
And my time is all the time
I have to be with you
So, please, never go away
Say you're going to stay
And make my dreams come true
It's so nice to be with you
Abbey Lincoln's "And It's Supposed to Be Love" is a soulful and heartfelt lyrical confession of her love for someone who has shown her a new light in life. The song describes the singer's struggle with past heartbreaks caused by failed relationships, however, this time around it's different. The lyrics convey a sense of gratitude that the singer feels for her partner who gives her hope and makes her feel the warmth of the sun again.
Lincoln begins the song by addressing her partner directly, thanking them for bringing light into her life, and expressing how wonderful it is to be with them. She expresses admiration for their words and actions, and acknowledges the positive impact they have on her. The lyrics suggest that Lincoln has been hurt in the past as she talks about how others have turned her heart blue, but this time around, things are different. The lyrics convey a sense of hope that her love interest will stay with her and make her dreams come true.
The song's melody is soothing and perfectly complements Lincoln's soulful voice. The song has a distinct and unique arrangement, featuring rhythm guitar and jazzy trumpet arrangements, which makes it stand out in Lincoln's repertoire. Overall, the song captures the essence of what love can be and showcases Lincoln's ability to convey intense emotions through her lyrical and musical talents.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, look what you have done
You have shown me a way out of darkness and I am grateful
Showing me the sun
Guiding me to a better place with a warm, bright feeling
And now it's shining through
The goodness that you bring is making a difference
It's nice to be with you
I appreciate the company and the comfort that comes with it
Hey, I like the things you say
Your words are uplifting and inspiring to me
And I like the way
Your actions are consistent and bring joy to my heart
You do the things you do
You are genuine in character and it shows in everything you do
Each time that I give my heart
Whenever I open myself up to love
To someone new
To a person that is unfamiliar to me
They just turn it blue
They disappoint me and leave me feeling sad
But this time is my time
This time, I am in control of my heart and emotions
And my time is all the time
I will not compromise or settle for anything less than what I deserve
I have to be with you
I know that being with you is what I truly want
So, please, never go away
I am afraid of losing you and the happiness you bring
Say you're going to stay
Assure me that you are not planning on leaving
And make my dreams come true
Help me achieve my aspirations and goals for the future
It's so nice to be with you
Overall, I am grateful for your presence and the positive impact you have on me
Writer(s): Abbey Lincoln
Contributed by Arianna N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Elizabeth Frolet
A marvellous voice.
Maria del amor Gonzalez
Ayer murió esta valiosa mujer. Música, cantante, poeta, escritora. Humana. Comprometida. Yo la conocí con este tema. Me fascinó!!!! Seguirá con nosotros. Y en su otro lugar. Con el mayor cariño y consideración desde esta distancia ya quizá inconmensurable. María del Amor
Jorge Fernández Espectáculos
Tan sensible. La oí en el 99 del S. pasado del milenio pasado Saludos.
kekebaby
This is super lovely!!!!
Sy Bounds
Abby's was an earthly presence as special as that of Billy Holiday! And she choose to record this masterpiece wih Maggie Brown. And Maggie is superb!
DrDivaJC
The other singer on this is Maggie Brown, daughter of Oscar Brown, Jr. She was so thrilled to have been invited to join Abbey on this recording. Maggie is one of the women I interviewed on my internet radio show MUSICWOMAN
Beauty for Ashes 2018 Anastasia
I grew up hearing older women like this thanks to my aunts.
Beauty for Ashes 2018 Anastasia
Beautiful.
Dulce Maria Pereira - ESCV
Just perfect!
Howard Kleidman
Very Abbey, both the singing and the background. Have her on audio tape singing "The Early Rising Sun". That's not even on Michael Fitzgerald's discography of Abbey. Hope someone out there can post it on You Tube, or at least confirm when and with who she recorded it.