While in high school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Golson played with several other promising young musicians, including John Coltrane, Red Garland, Jimmy Heath, Percy Heath, Philly Joe Jones, and Red Rodney. After graduating from Howard University Golson joined Bull Moose Jackson's rhythm and blues band; Tadd Dameron, whom Golson came to consider the most important influence on his writing, was Jackson's pianist at the time.
From 1953 to 1959 Golson played with Dameron's band and then with the bands of Lionel Hampton, Johnny Hodges, Earl Bostic, Dizzy Gillespie, and Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers with whom he recorded the classic Moanin' in 1958.
Golson was working with the Lionel Hampton band at the Apollo Theater in Harlem in 1956 when he learned that Clifford Brown, a noted and well-liked jazz trumpeter who had done a stint with him in Hampton's band, had died in a car accident. Golson was so moved by the event that he composed the threnody "I Remember Clifford", as a tribute to a fellow musician and friend.
Golson has composed several other jazz standards, such as "Stablemates", "Killer Joe", "Whisper Not", "Along Came Betty" and "Are You Real?", that have gone on to be performed and recorded by many musicians.
From 1959 to 1962 Golson co-led the Jazztet with Art Farmer. Golson then left jazz to concentrate on studio and orchestral work for 12 years. During this time he composed music for such television shows as Ironside, Room 222, M*A*S*H, and Mission: Impossible. During the mid-1970s Golson returned to jazz playing and recording. In 1982 he re-organized the Jazztet.
In 1995 Golson received the NEA Jazz Masters Award of the National Endowment for the Arts.
Golson made a cameo appearance in the 2004 movie The Terminal, related to his appearance in the A Great Day in Harlem photo. As of 2007, he tours regularly.
In October 2007 Golson received the Mellon Living Legend Legacy Award presented by the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation at a ceremony at the Kennedy Center. Additionally, during the same month, he won the University of Pittsburgh International Academy of Jazz Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award at the university's 37th Annual Jazz Concert in the Carnegie Music Hall.
In November 2009, Benny was inducted into the International Academy of Jazz Hall of Fame during a performance at the University of Pittsburgh's annual jazz seminar and concert.
The Howard University Jazz Studies program created a prestigious award in his honor called the "Benny Golson Jazz Master Award" in 1996. Several distinguished jazz artists have received this award.
Body & Soul
Benny Golson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For you I sigh, for you dear only
Why haven't you seen it
I'm all for you body and soul
I spend my days in longing
And wondering why it's me you're wronging
I tell you I mean it
I can't believe it
It's hard to conceive it
That you'd turn away romance
Are you pretending
It looks like the ending
Unless I could have just one more chance to prove, dear
My life a wreck you're making
You know I'm yours for just the taking
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul
My life a wreck you're making
You know I'm yours for the very taking
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul
The lyrics to Benny Goodman Trio's song "Body and Soul" express the deep longing and heartache of unrequited love. The singer is desperately in love with someone who seems to be either unaware of their feelings or purposely ignoring them. The lyrics convey a sense of vulnerability and a willingness to surrender oneself completely to this person. The use of the term "body and soul" further emphasizes the idea of giving oneself completely, both physically and emotionally, to the object of affection.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the song, as the singer expresses their sadness and longing for this person. The second stanza adds a sense of confusion and frustration, as the singer wonders why they are being rejected. The third stanza expresses a desperate plea for one more chance to prove their love. Finally, the last stanza reinforces the singer's willingness to surrender themselves completely to this person, no matter the cost.
Overall, "Body and Soul" is a powerful and emotional song that conveys the intensity of unrequited love. The lyrics are simple yet poignant, and the melody adds to the sense of longing and heartache.
Line by Line Meaning
My heart is sad and lonely
I am afflicted with sorrow and loneliness
For you I sigh, for you dear only
My desire and yearning are only for you
Why haven't you seen it
I wonder why you have not noticed my affection
I'm all for you body and soul
You have captured my entire being and essence
I spend my days in longing
My days are consumed with intense desire
And wondering why it's me you're wronging
I question why you mistreat me
I tell you I mean it
I am earnest in my intentions
I'm all for you body and soul
You have complete ownership of my body and soul
I can't believe it
I am incredulous
It's hard to conceive it
It is difficult to comprehend
That you'd turn away romance
I cannot fathom why you would reject this love
Are you pretending
I wonder if you are feigning emotion
It looks like the ending
It appears that this is the conclusion
Unless I could have just one more chance to prove, dear
I need another opportunity to demonstrate my love, my darling
My life a wreck you're making
You are causing chaos in my life
You know I'm yours for just the taking
You are aware that I am yours to claim
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul
I offer myself willingly to you, entirely and completely
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Paul Michael Barry, Phil Simpson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind