For 30 years Allan Taylor has been considered as the consummate performer, a writer of literary gracefulness whose troubadour chronicles encapsulate the realism of otherwise unsung heroes, otherwise uncharted lives. His songs are faultlessly constructed and flawlessly performed, with his instantly recognizable voice, attractively dark and mellow, accompanied by his intricately detailed yet full-sounding guitar.
Notes from Paris
Allan Taylor Lyrics
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Dexter′s blowing his horn
It's a used up tune for a faded moon
And played for the memory of something that′s gone
Plays like a lover, who's holding a dream
When he knows that the dream won't last
He′s going down slow, but he′s scared to let go
One hit of cocaine, one hit of horse
He'll take what′s on offer today
It's a losers refrain to come back again
That thin line of snow to blow you away
He says "Buy me a vin rouge, buy me a beer
As he sits in The Blue Note Cafe
He′s ending his days in a purple haze
As pink and blue neon drag night into day
And the dancers have left the floor
And the last of the late night drinkers are out of the door
The old man's hung up his horn
He′s playing no more
It's not for the money, it's not for the fame
It′s for something that sings through it all
When the music rings true, your soul comes through
And that′s what you do, 'til you hear the last chord
They say we go out, the way we came in
It′s how we played it that marks out the man
If we can leave a trace of beauty and grace
Then it wasn't for nothing, just part of the plan
And the dancers have left the floor
And the last of the late night drinkers are out of the door
The old man′s hung up his horn
He's playing no more
The song "Notes from Paris" by Allan Taylor tells the story of an old jazz musician named Dexter who is playing "April in Paris" on his horn. The tune is a nostalgic reminder of a bygone era and represents the memory of something that is no longer present. The song reflects on Dexter's struggle to let go of his dreams and his tendency to self-medicate with drugs.
The lyrics describe Dexter's playing as that of a lover holding on to a dream that he knows won't last. He is going down slowly, but scared to let go because he knows that the dream has passed. The use of drugs is a way for Dexter to escape reality and momentarily forget his disappointments.
The song ends with a poignant reflection on the meaning of life and the legacy we leave behind. The idea of leaving a trace of beauty and grace is emphasized, suggesting that regardless of how we go out, what we do in life can have a lasting impact if it is done with integrity and purpose.
Overall, the song is a tribute to the power of music to evoke emotions and capture the essence of a moment in time. Dexter's character represents the struggle to hold on to those memories and feelings, even when they are fleeting.
Line by Line Meaning
I can still hear him playing, April in Paris
The singer still remembers the musician playing a classic song in Paris
Dexter's blowing his horn
The musician's name is Dexter and he is playing his horn
It's a used up tune for a faded moon
The song is well-known but its time has passed
And played for the memory of something that's gone
The song is being played as a reminder of a lost memory
Plays like a lover, who's holding a dream
Dexter plays the song with emotion, like someone holding onto a dream
When he knows that the dream won't last
Despite this, he knows that the dream won't come true
He's going down slow, but he's scared to let go
Dexter is slowly losing his passion for music but is afraid to give up
Deep down he knows, the dreaming has passed
He is aware that his dream of becoming a famous musician is over
One hit of cocaine, one hit of horse
Dexter does drugs to cope with his declining career
He'll take what's on offer today
He's willing to take any drugs that are available
It's a losers refrain to come back again
Going back to drugs is a sign of poor judgment
That thin line of snow to blow you away
The line of cocaine can be dangerous and potentially fatal
He says 'Buy me a vin rouge, buy me a beer
Dexter asks for alcohol to accompany his drug use
As he sits in The Blue Note Cafe
Dexter spends his days in a popular jazz club
He's ending his days in a purple haze
Dexter's life is consumed by drugs and alcohol
As pink and blue neon drag night into day
Dexter is awake all night due to the effects of drugs and the colorful lights at the club
And the dancers have left the floor
The club has closed for the night and the dancers have gone home
And the last of the late night drinkers are out of the door
The only ones left in the club are those who have consumed too much alcohol
The old man's hung up his horn
Dexter has retired from playing music
He's playing no more
Dexter has given up his passion for music
It's not for the money, it's not for the fame
Music is not about wealth or recognition for Dexter and other musicians
It's for something that sings through it all
Music is something that connects people and transcends time
When the music rings true, your soul comes through
True music reveals the soul of the musician
And that's what you do, 'til you hear the last chord
Musicians continue to play until the very end of their careers or lives
They say we go out, the way we came in
People believe that the circumstances of our birth will mirror our death
It's how we played it that marks out the man
What we do in life is what defines us as a person
If we can leave a trace of beauty and grace
If we can leave something beautiful or impactful in our wake, we will be remembered fondly
Then it wasn't for nothing, just part of the plan
All actions and experiences are part of a larger plan for our lives and the world
Writer(s): Allan Taylor
Contributed by Vivian Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.