Shepp was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on May 24th, 1937, but raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he studied piano, clarinet and alto saxophone before focusing on tenor saxophone (he occasionally plays soprano saxophone). He is best known for his passionately Afrocentric music of the late sixties which focused on highlighting the injustices faced by people of African descent. He is also known for his 60's work with the New York Contemporary Five with co-founder Don Cherry and Shepp's collaborations with his "New Thing" contemporaries, most notably Cecil Taylor and John Coltrane, but also Roswell Rudd and Bobby Hutcherson.
Considered a jazz great, saxophonist Archie Shepp recorded albums like Poem For Malcolm and Live in Antibes for labels like Verve and Impulse. He was active in academia at SUNY Buffalo as a professor of African American Studies and the University of Massachusetts Amherst as a professor of music. He played with other notable musical radicals including Frank Zappa and provided the musical score to the movie Gotta Dance and is featured on the 1984 Wilebski's Blues Saloon Festival DVD.
Embraceable You
Archie Shepp Lyrics
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Embrace me, you irreplaceable you!
Just one look at you
My heart grew tipsy in me,
You and you alone
Bring out the gypsy in me!
Above all, I want my arms about you!
Don't be a naughty baby,
Come to papa, come to papa, do!
My sweet embraceable you!
In Archie Shepp's version of "Embraceable You," the lyrics express a deep longing and desire for physical and emotional intimacy with a loved one. The song begins with an urgent plea to "embrace me, my sweet embraceable you" and continues to praise the unique and irreplaceable qualities of this person. The singer declares that even one look from this person makes their heart flutter and ignites a sense of wild passion within them.
Line by Line Meaning
Embrace me, my sweet embraceable you!
Hold me tight, you're the only one who can comfort me!
Embrace me, you irreplaceable you!
Hold me, because there's no one else who can fill your place in my life!
Just one look at you
The mere sight of you is enough to make me feel lightheaded with happiness!
My heart grew tipsy in me,
My emotions are in such a state of excitement that it feels like my heart is physically inebriated!
You and you alone
Out of everyone in the world, only you have this effect on me!
Bring out the gypsy in me!
You make me feel free and adventurous, like a wandering traveler!
I love all, the many charms about you!
I adore every single aspect of your personality and appearance!
Above all, I want my arms about you!
More than anything, I desire to hold you close to me!
Don't be a naughty baby,
Don't be difficult or stubborn!
Come to papa, come to papa, do!
Listen to me and let me take care of you!
My sweet embraceable you!
You are my darling, and the one I long to hold close!
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Unison Rights S.L., Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind