… Read Full Bio ↴Blossom Dearie (1924-2009) was an American jazz singer and pianist.
Born on 28th April 1924 in East Durham, New York, of mixed Scottish and Norwegian ancestry, Dearie began her career in vocal groups in New York. In the early 1950s she moved to Paris, forming her own vocal group, The Blue Stars, later to become the Swingle Singers.
After signing to Verve, Dearie returned to the U.S. where, despite developing a successful career and achieving international fame, by 1974 the lack of interest from major labels led her to start her own label, Daffodil Records. She continued performing into her eighties.
Blossom Dearie died on 7th February 2009, at her apartment in Greenwich Village, New York City
Johnny One Note
Blossom Dearie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Built upon a single note
Other notes are bound to follow
But the root is still that note
Now this new one is the consequence
Of the one we've just been through
As I'm bound to be the unavoidable
Consequence of you
There's so many people who can
Talk and talk and talk
And just say nothing
Or nearly nothing
I have used up all the scale I know
And at the end I've come to nothing
Or nearly nothing
So I came back to my first note
As I must come back to you
I will pour into that one note
All the love I feel for you
Anyone who wants the whole show
Re mi fa sol la si do
He will find himself with no show
Better play the note you know
In Blossom Dearie's song "One Note Samba," the singer reveals that the true beauty of music lies not in the complexity of notes, but rather in the simplicity and unity of a single note. She explains that the rest of the notes are necessary to follow and build off from, but it is crucial to understand that the essence of the song lies within that one initial note. The lyrics suggest that our lives are also built upon a single note, with the various experiences we encounter being the building blocks that follow. The new experiences we have are consequences of our past experiences, and we are the inescapable consequences of the people we have met.
The singer then goes on to address the idea of meaningless conversations, sharing that words can often be used without truly conveying any real substance. To get to the heart of the matter, she expresses that she has used up all the different notes she knows, and at times feels like she has come to nothing. However, she realizes that she can always return to the original note, just as she can always come back to the person she loves. In doing so, she is able to pour all of her emotions and passion into that one note, which is ultimately the most powerful note of all. The singer concludes by emphasizing that it's important to play the note that you know, rather than trying to put on a whole show and overcomplicating things.
Line by Line Meaning
This is just a little samba
Let's not make a big deal out of it, it's just a simple and fun song.
Built upon a single note
The song has a simple melody that revolves around one note, but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable.
Other notes are bound to follow
Although the song is based on one note, different notes will be added to create variation.
But the root is still that note
Despite the other notes that may be added, the foundation of the song remains that one note.
Now this new one is the consequence
Each new note that's added is a result of the previous notes, and they all build upon each other to make a complete song.
Of the one we've just been through
The previous notes and melody have led to the creation of this new note.
As I'm bound to be the unavoidable
Like the notes in the song, people's actions and decisions are a product of their past experiences and cannot be helped.
Consequence of you
My actions and feelings are influenced by you and our past experiences together.
There's so many people who can
There are many people who talk a lot without saying anything meaningful.
Talk and talk and talk
They keep going on and on without really saying anything worthwhile.
And just say nothing
Their words don't hold any real value or meaning.
Or nearly nothing
At best, what they say is almost meaningless and forgettable.
I have used up all the scale I know
I have exhausted all my musical resources and can't add any more to the song.
And at the end I've come to nothing
Despite my efforts, the song hasn't really gone anywhere or achieved anything significant.
Or nearly nothing
At best, the song has only accomplished a small amount and hasn't gone far.
So I came back to my first note
I realized that the best thing to do when a song isn't working out is to go back to the beginning and start over.
As I must come back to you
In the same way, sometimes the best thing to do in a relationship is to return to the beginning and rediscover your love for each other.
I will pour into that one note
I will invest all my energy and passion into that one note, just like I will invest all my love into you.
All the love I feel for you
My feelings for you are deep and all-encompassing, and I want to express them in the best way I can.
Anyone who wants the whole show
Some people are always looking for something bigger and more impressive, instead of enjoying the simple things in life.
Re mi fa sol la si do
These are the notes of the musical scale, and the singer is saying that even if you know all these notes, you may still miss out on the beauty of a simple melody.
He will find himself with no show
If someone is always looking for something grand and flashy, they may miss out on the simple but profound things in life.
Better play the note you know
It's better to focus on what you have and what you know, rather than always searching for something bigger and better.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DORIVAL SEN CAYMMI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Heather Collins
on Comment Allez Vous
(Parlez-vous Français?)
Mais oui, allons-y
(Parlez-vous chère madame?)
Comment allez vous? Fancy bumping into you
Comment allez vous? Tell me everything that's new
Are you happy are you sad?
Feeling good or feeling bad?
(and is there anything you're craving?)
(do you feel like misbehaving?)
Comment allez vous? Gee, it's nice to see you here
Comment allez vous? You look better every year
I was really on my way, but I had to stop and say:
Comment allez vous?
(Comment allez vous petit chou?)
Say it, it has 'savoir faire'
(Comment allez vous mon minou?)
Has a continental air
(once she heard it in the land, from a chinese laundry man)
Cloaks and suitors, by the oodles, say it to their cute french poodles
Comment allez vous?
Spaniards say it, so do Greeks
Comment allez vous?
In the desert, so do Sheiks
(show they know a thing or two)
(it's so easy, why can't you say?)
Comment?
Comment?
Comment allez vous?