Frisell was born in Baltimore, Maryland, but spent most of his youth in the Denver, Colorado, area. He studied clarinet with Richard Joiner of the Denver Symphony Orchestra as a youth, graduated from Denver East High School, and went to the University of Northern Colorado to study music.
His original guitar teacher in the Denver-Aurora metropolitan area was Dale Bruning, with whom Frisell released the 2000 duo album Reunion. After graduating from Northern Colorado, where he studied with Johnny Smith, Frisell went to the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he studied with Jon Damian and Jim Hall.
Frisell's major break came when guitarist Pat Metheny was unable to make a recording session, and recommended Frisell to Paul Motian who was recording Psalm (1982) for ECM Records. Frisell became ECM's in-house guitar player, and worked on several albums, most notably Jan Garbarek's 1981 Paths, Prints. Frisell's first solo release was In Line featured solo guitar and duets with bassist Arild Andersen.
Frisell's first group to receive much acclaim was a quartet with Kermit Driscoll on bass, Joey Baron on drums, and Hank Roberts on cello (later slimmed down to a trio when Roberts left). Many other albums with larger ensembles were recorded with this group as the core.
In the 1980s Frisell lived in New York City and was an active participant in the city's music scene. He forged an early partnership with John Zornâincluding as a member of quick-change band Naked Cityâand performed or recorded with many others. He also became known for his work in drummer Paul Motian's trio, along with saxophonist Joe Lovano.
In 1988 Frisell left New York City and moved to Seattle, Washington. In the early 1990s Frisell made two of his best-reviewed albums: first, Have a Little Faith, an ambitious survey of Americana of all stripes, from Charles Ives and Aaron Copland (the entirety of Billy the Kid) to John Hiatt (the title song), Bob Dylan ("Just Like a Woman") and Madonna (a lengthy, psychedelic rock-tinged version of "Live to Tell"); and second, This Land, a complementary set of originals. During this time he performed with many musicians, including the more up and coming, such as Douglas September on album 10 Bulls. He also branched out by performing soundtracks to silent films of Buster Keaton with his trio, and contributed to Ryuichi Sakamoto's album Heartbeat.
In the mid-1990s, Frisell disbanded his trio. He continued the trend marked by Have a Little Faith by more explicitly incorporating elements of bluegrass and country music into his music. His friendship with Gary Larson led him to provide music for the TV version of The Far Side (released on the album Quartet along with music written for Keaton's Convict 13). Since 2000, Frisell has lived on Bainbridge Island, Washington, near Seattle.
Several of Frisell's songs, including his recording of "Over the Rainbow" and "Coffaro's Theme", were featured in the movie Finding Forrester (2000).
In 1999, Frisell was commissioned by the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota to compose Blues Dream, which he premiered on November 15, 1999. He later recorded the work for a 2001 release on Nonesuch.
Also in 1999, he released The Sweetest Punch which featured a seven-piece jazz ensemble reworking the tunes written and recorded by Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach on Painted from Memory.
Between 2003 and 2005 Frisell acted as musical director for Century of Song, a series of concerts at the German arts festival RuhrTriennale (produced by Lee Townsend). Frisell invited artists including Rickie Lee Jones, Elvis Costello, Suzanne Vega, Arto Lindsay, Loudon Wainwright III, Vic Chesnutt, Van Dyke Parks, Buddy Miller, Ron Sexsmith and Chip Taylor to perform their favorite songs in new arrangements.
In 2003, Frisell's The Intercontinentals was nominated for a Grammy award; he won the 2005 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album for his album Unspeakable. His 2008 album, History, Mystery was nominated for a 2009 Grammy award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group. Frisell was also a judge for the 6th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists' careers.
Frisell has united with Matt Chamberlain, Tucker Martine, and Lee Townsend in the Floratone band, and they have released an album on Blue Note (2007), featuring guest performance of Viktor Krauss, Ron Miles, Eyvind Kang.
In 2008, Frisell performed as a featured guest on Earth's album The Bees Made Honey in the Lion's Skull.
In 2009, Frisell featured in a duet rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" with singer-songwriter, Sam Shrieve. The recording was released on Shrieve's debut album Bittersweet Lullabies.
In 2010, Frisell started working with the Savoy Jazz label and released Beautiful Dreamers in August 2010, then a second release of Sign of Life in April 2011. Also, on January 25, 2011, Bill Frisell and Vinicius CantuĂĄria released LĂĄgrimas Mexicanas on the E1 label.
In June, 2011, Frisell, Lee Townsend, and their frequent collaborator, Vinicius Cantuaria, participated in TEDx GoldenGateED's program, "Teaching Compassion" in Oakland, California. Frisell and Cantuaria performed separately, and Townsend assisted with technical aspects of the event.
In September 2011, Frisell released All We Are Saying, a full-length offering of his interpretations of John Lennon's music. Frisell's quintet includes violinist Jenny Scheinman, pedal steel and acoustic guitarist Greg Leisz, bassist Tony Scherr, and drummer Kenny Wollesen.
Goin
Bill Frisell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes, I think I'm goin' out of my head
Over you, Over you
I want you to want me, I need you so badly
I can't think of anything but you
And I think I'm goin' out of my head
Yes, I think I'm goin' out of my head
I see you each morning
But you just walk past me You don't even know that I exist
Goin' out of my head over you
Out of my head over you Out of my head day and night
Night and day and night, Wrong or right
I must think of a way Into your heart
There's no reason why My being shy Should keep us apart
And I think I'm goin' out of my head
Yes, I think I'm goin' out of my head
Goin' out of my head over you
Out of my head over you Out of my head day and night
Night and day and night, Wrong or right
Night and day and night
Wrong or right, day or night
Everyday, every, every day
The song "Goin' Out of My Head" by Bill Frisell is a classic tune about someone who has fallen deeply in love with someone else, to the point where they feel like they're losing their mind. The repetitive nature of the lyrics "I think I'm goin' out of my head, over you" emphasize the depth of emotion that the singer is experiencing. They want to be noticed by the object of their affection, and can't stop thinking about them. The line "I see you each morning, but you just walk past me, you don't even know that I exist" highlights the pain of unrequited love, and the desperation to be noticed and loved in return.
Throughout the song, the singer alternates between feelings of hopelessness and determination. They want to find a way into the heart of the person they love, stating "there's no reason why my being shy should keep us apart." The repetition of the phrase "out of my head" illustrates the all-consuming nature of their love, which feels like it's taking over their life. The final line, "everyday, every, every day" reinforces this idea that their love is a constant presence in their life, and they can't escape it.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I think I'm goin' out of my head
I am losing my mind
Yes, I think I'm goin' out of my head
I am definitely losing my mind
Over you, Over you
Because of you
I want you to want me, I need you so badly
I desperately desire your love and attention
I can't think of anything but you
You are constantly on my mind
I see you each morning
I observe you every day
But you just walk past me
But you do not acknowledge me
You don't even know that I exist
You are completely unaware of my existence
Goin' out of my head over you
I am losing my mind because of you
Out of my head over you Out of my head day and night
I am consumed by thoughts of you, day and night
Night and day and night, Wrong or right
Regardless of the time or circumstances
I must think of a way Into your heart
I need to find a path to your heart
There's no reason why My being shy Should keep us apart
My shyness should not be a barrier between us
And I think I'm goin' out of my head
I am still losing my mind
Goin' out of my head over you
I am still losing my mind because of you
Out of my head over you Out of my head day and night
I am still consumed by thoughts of you, day and night
Night and day and night, Wrong or right
Regardless of the time or circumstances
Night and day and night
24/7
Wrong or right, day or night
No matter what
Everyday, every, every day
Every single day
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG Rights Management
Written by: TEDDY RANDAZZO, BOBBY WEINSTEIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Michael Schaefer
Stunning all around, but special kudos to Greg Leisz for absolutely perfect backup work.
Jesse Shafer
At first I thought of how great Bill's tone was, then Kenny's, then I realized they all just sound incredible...
Earl Aguigui
Absolutely terrific music as performed by talented musicians!
Brad Maestas
Amazing version!
Mike Waddell
Fresh and creative, yet remaining true to the original melody and changes. That's the way to do it.
Albert Pot
Yeah... thanks for this upload ! Real musicians playing, what a treat this is
Haim Shazar
Awesome music and musicianship !!!
tonespinner
This band is for me the best setting that I've ever heard Bill Frisell in. Tried to see them in a small venue a couple of years ago but got there only to find that the event was sold out. Sure hope they will play together again but somehow I don't think that is likely.
Paul McCaffrey - fendermac
Great!
Thanks so much for uploading these videos. I am mesmerised
Hugh Barton
As an elderly Tele driver, with huge arthritis issues, I cannot to begin to tell you how much Mr. Frisell's work means to me!
Oh wow.....