One of the most famous and influential jazz pianists of the 20th century, B… Read Full Bio ↴One of the most famous and influential jazz pianists of the 20th century, Bill Evans formed the acclaimed piano trio in 1959, along with bassist Scott LaFaro and drummer Paul Motian. Evans' focus in this trio was jazz standards and original compositions, with an emphasis on interplay among the band members that often bordered on collective improvisation and blurred the line between soloist and accompanist. This trio recorded four albums: Portrait in Jazz (1959), Explorations, Sunday at the Village Vanguard, and Waltz for Debby (all recorded in 1961). The latter two albums are live recordings drawn from the same recording date, and they are routinely named among the greatest jazz recordings of all time. After LaFaro's untimely death, Evans went into seclusion for nearly a year, then re-formed the trio. After that, the personnel of the trio (other than Evans) changed every few years.

Bassists included Scott LaFaro(1959-1961), Chuck Israels (1962-1965), Gary Peacock(1963), Teddy Kotick (1966), Eddie Gomez(1966-1977), and Marc Johnson(1978-1980).
On drums the trio had Paul Motian (1959-1962), Larry Bunker ( 1962-1965), Arnie Wise (1966, 1968), Joe Hunt (1967), Philly Joe Jones (1967, 1977-1978), Jack DeJohnette (1968), John Dentz (1968), Marty Morell (1968-1975), Eliot Zigmund (1975-1977), and Joe La Barbera (1978-1980).

It Might As Well Be Spring
Bill Evans Trio Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm as restless as a willow in a windstorm
I'm as jumpy as a puppet on a string
I'd say that I had spring fever
But I know it isn't spring

I am starry-eyed and vaguely discontented
Like a nightingale without a song to sing
Oh, why should I have Spring fever

When it isn't even spring?

I keep wishing I were somewhere else
Walking down a strange new street
Hearing words that I have never heard
From a girl I've yet to meet

I'm as busy as a spider spinning daydreams
I'm as giddy as a baby on a swing
I haven't seen a crocus or a rosebud or a robin on the wing
But I feel so gay in a melancholy way
That it might as well be spring

It might as well be spring

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Bill Evans Trio's "It Might as Well Be Spring" convey a feeling of restlessness, hyperactivity, and vague discontentment that echoes the beginning of a new season. The singer compares themselves to a willow in a windstorm and a puppet on a string, indicating a lack of control over their emotions and actions. They speak of having spring fever, yet realizing that it isn't actually spring, hinting that the change in season has triggered a shift in their mood and behavior. They feel like a nightingale without a song and long for new experiences by wishing to be somewhere else, walking down a strange new street.

The imagery presented in the lyrics is rich and evocative. The comparison of the singer to a spider spinning daydreams and a baby on a swing reflects their unfocused energy and creativity. The yearning for something new is represented by the desire to hear words they've never heard from a girl they've yet to meet. The final line, "it might as well be spring," suggests that the singer's internal transformation is so profound that it's as if the season has changed, even though it hasn't.

Overall, "It Might as Well Be Spring" is a poignant reflection on the human experience of seasonal change and its impact on emotions and behavior.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm as restless as a willow in a windstorm
I feel agitated, anxious and unsure, similar to how a willow tree sways uncontrollably in a strong wind

I'm as jumpy as a puppet on a string
I feel nervous and twitchy, like a puppet being pulled in different directions on strings

I'd say that I had spring fever But I know it isn't spring
I feel a sense of restlessness and excitement that is commonly associated with spring, but I am aware that it is not actually springtime

I am starry-eyed and vaguely discontented Like a nightingale without a song to sing
I am daydreaming and feeling somewhat sad, like a nightingale that cannot find a melody to sing

Oh, why should I have Spring fever When it isn't even spring?
I wonder why I feel this energized and restless when springtime isn't even here yet

I keep wishing I were somewhere else Walking down a strange new street Hearing words that I have never heard From a girl I've yet to meet
I yearn for something new and exciting, to explore unfamiliar streets and to connect with someone new

I'm as busy as a spider spinning daydreams I'm as giddy as a baby on a swing
I am preoccupied with daydreaming and feel playful and lighthearted

I haven't seen a crocus or a rosebud or a robin on the wing But I feel so gay in a melancholy way That it might as well be spring
Even though I haven't seen any traditional spring signs like flowers or birds, I feel happy and lively in a bittersweet sort of way that it could be mistaken as spring

Lyrics © Kanjian Music, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Tratore, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Oscar Hammerstein II, Richard Rodgers

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS