Take Five
Al Jarreau and Kurt Elling Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh just take five, just take five
Stop your busy day and take the time out to see
That I'm alive, I'm alive
Oh, though I'm going out of my way
Just so I can pass by each day
Not a single word do we say
Still I know our eyes often meet
I feel tingles down to my feet
When you smile, that's much too discreet
Sends me on my way
Now wouldn't it be better not to be so polite
When you could offer a light?
Just start a little conversation now, it's alright
When you're taking five (ah-ha)
Five
Won't ya take a little time out with me (my pretty)
Baby take five
Stop your busy day and take the time to see, girl, that I'm alive
Though I'm going out of my way
Just so I can pass by each day
Not a single word do we say
It's a pantomime, I'm out of time
Still I know our eyes often meet
I feel tingles down to my feet
When you smile, that's much too discreet
Sends me on my way
Wouldn't it be better not to be so polite, pretty mama
Don't you know that you could offer me a light?
Start a little conversation now, it's alright
When you're taking five
Won't ya take a little time out with me, girl
Come take five
Stop your busy day and take the time to see that I'm alive
Oh, though I'm going out of my way
So I can pass by each day
Not a single word do we say
It's a pantomime, I'm out of time
Still I know our eyes often meet
I feel tingles down to my feet
When you smile, that's much too discreet
Sends me on my way
Baby, just don't say hello and do not stare
You could offer your hand
Hugging and a-chugging it could be so grand
Oh take five
If you want to
The song "Take 5" by Al Jarreau & Kurt Elling is a ballad about a person who is struck by someone and is looking for a way to communicate with them. The singer is expressing their desire to spend some time with the person they admire and to see if their feelings are mutual. The title of the song, "Take 5," suggests that the singer is asking for the person they admire to take five minutes of their time to be with them, to connect with them, and to see where their relationship could go.
Throughout the song, the singer describes their relationship with the person they admire as a pantomime rather than a play. Although they see each other frequently and their eyes meet, they rarely speak, and their interactions are very polite. The singer suggests that it would be better if they were less polite and had a more meaningful conversation. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the singer urging the person they admire to take five and start a conversation.
Overall, "Take 5" is a poignant and emotional ballad about the desire to connect with someone on a deeper level. The song's slow tempo and its emphasis on the lyrics create a sense of longing and vulnerability that captures the singer's emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Won't you stop and take a little
Can you please pause and come with me
Time out with me, just take five
Spend a moment with me, let's enjoy our time for a while
Stop your busy day and take the
Put your work on hold and give yourself time to
Time out to see if I'm alive
Be present and know my existence, let's connect
Though I'm going out of my way
Despite going through a lot of extra effort
Just so I can pass by each day
To be able to see you and be around you daily
Not a single word do we say
We never exchange a word, total silence
It's a pantomime and not a play
Our relationship is like a mime show rather than a real-life drama
Still, I know our eyes often meet
But still, our eyes unintentionally cross paths frequently
I feel tingles down to my feet
When our eyes meet, I experience a sensual feeling all over my body
When you smile, that's much too discreet
Your beautiful smile is too subtle to even notice
Sends me on my way
Your unacknowledged beauty keeps me going
Wouldn't it be better not to be so polite
Perhaps we would benefit more if we were less formal
You could offer a light
Maybe you could initiate a conversation
Start a little conversation now, it's alright
It's okay to communicate and show interest in each other
Just take five, just take five
Give me five minutes, let's talk and connect
Lyrics © Soundreef Ltd.
Written by: Paul Desmond
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rickreese7675
Won't you stop and take a little
Time out with me, just take five
Stop your busy day and take the
Time out to see if I'm alive
Though I'm going out of my way
Just so I can pass by each day
Not a single word do we say
It's a pantomime and not a play
Still, I know our eyes often meet
I feel tingles down to my feet
When you smile, that's much too discreet
Sends me on my way
Wouldn't it be better not to be so polite
You could offer a light
Start a little conversation now, it's alright
Just take five, just take five
Though I'm going out of my way
Just so I can pass by each day
Not a single word do we say
It's a pantomime and not a play
Still, I know our eyes often meet
I feel tingles down to my feet
When you smile, that's much too discreet
Sends me on my way
Wouldn't it be better not to be so polite
You could offer a light
Start a little conversation now, it's alright
Just take five, just take five
@theRealPlaidRabbit
I love how free he is. He doesn't feel any obligation to act like a normal person who makes sense in normal ways-- everything is music, everything is rhythm, everything is experience, everything is art.
@emanx222
Omg this comment right here perfectly expressed what drew me to Al!!!!
@selinanicholas761
classic
@realmusicentertainmentcompany
Exactly💯✔️❤️ He doesn't let anyone put him in a box💯✔️👑
@rogerwilliamson7161
A real master!
@rashido8360
Everything about him is Al Jarreau, simples.
@acraftman2823
It took many, many years of listening to all kinds of music before I was musically intelligent enough to comprehend the depth and ability of this man's music.
@lukaveselinovic
Recorded On December 2016
@chrisricks6363
I was hooked the first time I heard him. The song was My favorite things. I thought he would look like Bing Crosby. Imagine my reaction to finding this video.
@lukaveselinovic
Finished on January 2017