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).
Just Friends
Annie Ross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just friends, but not like before
To think of what we've been and not to kiss again
Seems like pretending it isn't the ending
Two friends drifting apart
Two friends, but one broken heart
We loved, we laughed, we cried, and suddenly love died
The lyrics of Annie Ross's song "Just Friends" speak of the heartbreaking end of a romantic relationship that has now turned into a friendship. The opening lines "Just friends, lovers no more, just friends, but not like before" suggest that the two people involved once had a passionate romantic relationship, but now find themselves in a different, less intimate situation where their connection as friends is all that remains. The line "To think of what we've been and not to kiss again seems like pretending it isn't the ending" implies that while they may have decided to end their romantic relationship, it is hard for them to ignore the strong emotional bonds they have shared in the past.
The verses that follow highlight the sadness and pain that come with such a breakup. Two people who used to be so close are now "drifting apart" and while they remain "two friends," one of them is left with a "broken heart". The final line "We loved, we laughed, we cried, and suddenly love died" sums up the rollercoaster of emotions that characterize many relationships. It may have been intense and wonderful while it lasted, but eventually, the flame burns out and what's left in its place is bittersweet memories and the struggle to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
Just friends, lovers no more
We are no longer romantically involved, but we still maintain a friendship.
Just friends, but not like before
Our relationship has changed, but we are still close and care for each other.
To think of what we've been and not to kiss again
Remembering our past intimacy but not acting on it feels like we are lying to ourselves.
Seems like pretending it isn't the ending
Trying to act like our relationship is the same as it was before the breakup is just a way to ignore the truth that it's over.
Two friends drifting apart
Despite our best efforts, our friendship is changing and we are growing apart.
Two friends, but one broken heart
We are both still hurting from our breakup, but we are dealing with it in different ways.
We loved, we laughed, we cried, and suddenly love died
We had a lot of good times in our relationship, but it ended abruptly and painfully.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing
Written by: JOHN KLENNER, SAM M. LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind