Ross is one of the early practitioners of a singing style known as vocalese, which involves the setting of original lyrics to an instrumental jazz solo. Her 1952 treatment of saxophonist Wardell Gray's "Twisted" is a classic example of vocalese. "Twisted" is perhaps her most famous song.
She recorded seven albums with Lambert, Hendricks & Ross between 1957 and 1962. Annie left the group in 1962 and in 1964 opened her own nightclub in London. Annie's Room featured performances by such jazz luminaries as Joe Williams, Stuff Smith, Blossom Dearie, Anita O'Day, Jon Hendricks, and Erroll Garner as well as Annie herself.
Ross is also an accomplished actress and has appeared in a number of films: Superman III (1983), Throw Mama From The Train (1987), Pump Up the Volume (1990), Blue Sky (1994), Short Cuts (1993).
I Love Paris
Annie Ross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whether blue or gray be her skies.
Whether loud be her cheers or soft be her tears,
More and more do I realize:
I love Paris in the springtime.
I love Paris in the fall.
I love Paris in the winter when it drizzles,
I love Paris every moment,
Every moment of the year.
I love Paris, why, oh why do I love Paris?
Because my love is near.
The song "I Love Paris" by Annie Ross is a beautiful love letter to the enchanting city of Paris. The lyrics open with the singer reflecting on how she feels looking down on this timeless city, regardless of whether the skies are blue or gray, and whether there are loud cheers or soft tears. She then admits that more and more she realizes how much she loves Paris, all year round.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "I love Paris" four times, with each line describing a different season in the city. It seems that the singer can find love for Paris in any weather or circumstance - in the springtime, in the fall, in the winter when it drizzles, and in the summer when it sizzles. The final line of the chorus perhaps offers a clue to why the singer loves Paris so much: because her love is near. This suggests that she may be in love with someone who lives in or near Paris, and the city itself is a reflection of her feelings for this person.
Overall, the lyrics of "I Love Paris" are simple but full of feeling. The singer clearly has a deep affection for the city, and the repetition of the chorus reinforces this love. The final line is perhaps the most poignant, suggesting that the city is not just a beautiful backdrop but a symbol of the singer's own personal journey of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Every time I look down on this timeless town
Whenever I gaze upon this town that seems to be immune to the passage of time
Whether blue or gray be her skies.
Whether the sky is a bright blue or a subdued gray hue
Whether loud be her cheers or soft be her tears,
Regardless of whether the city is full of lively excitement or somber melancholy
More and more do I realize:
I become increasingly aware of one undeniable fact:
I love Paris in the springtime.
I have a strong affection for Paris when the season is spring
I love Paris in the fall.
I have a strong affection for Paris when the season is autumn
I love Paris in the winter when it drizzles,
I have a strong affection for Paris when it is winter and there's a light rain
I love Paris in the summer when it sizzles.
I have a strong affection for Paris when it is summer and there's a scorching heat
I love Paris every moment,
I have a long-lasting love for Paris that endures every second
Every moment of the year.
Regardless of which month or season it may be, my love for Paris always is present
I love Paris, why, oh why do I love Paris?
I'm questioning myself about the reasons for my fondness for Paris
Because my love is near.
But the answer lies in the fact that my beloved is with me in Paris
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Tratore, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
08CARIB
Perfect song!
John Benn
WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From a mad keen 73yo Aussie fan.