Mitchell was born and raised in Miami, Florida. He began playing trumpet in high school where he acquired his nickname, Blue.
After high school he played in the rhythm and blues ensembles of Paul Williams, Earl Bostic, and Chuck Willis. After returning to Miami he was noticed by Cannonball Adderley, with whom he recorded for Riverside Records in New York in 1958. He then joined the Horace Silver Quintet playing with tenor Junior Cook, bassist Gene Taylor and drummer Roy Brooks. Mitchell stayed with Silver's group until the band's break-up in 1964. After the Silver quintet disbanded, Mitchell formed a group employing members from the Silver quintet substituting the young pianist Chick Corea for Silver and replacing a then sick Brooks with drummer Al Foster. This group produced a number of records for Blue Note disbanding in 1969, after which Mitchell joined and toured with Ray Charles till 1971. From 1971 to 1973 Mitchell performed with John Mayall on Jazz Blues Fusion. From the mid – 70s he recorded, and worked as a session man in the genres noted previously, performed with the big band leaders Louie Bellson, Bill Holman and Bill Berry and was principal soloist for Tony Bennett and Lena Horne. Other band leaders Mitchell recorded with include Lou Donaldson, Grant Green, Philly Joe Jones, Jackie McLean, Hank Mobley, Johnny Griffin, Al Cohn, Dexter Gordon and Jimmy Smith. Blue Mitchell kept his hard-bop playing going with the Harold Land quintet up until his death from cancer on May 21, 1979 in Los Angeles, California at the age of 49.
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Blue Mitchell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wish I knew you place no one above me
Did I mistake this for a real romance?
I wish I knew, but only you can answer.
If you don't care, why let me hop[e and pray so
Don't lead me on, if I'm a fool just say so,
Should I keep dreaming on, or just forget you?
Blue Mitchell's song "I Wish I Knew" portrays the emotion of longing, confusion, and uncertainty that accompany unrequited love. The singer wishes they knew if the person they love reciprocates their feelings. They question whether their interaction is a "real" romance or just a passing encounter, and they are desperate for answers.
The song's lyrics capture the vulnerability and helplessness that come with being in love with someone who may not feel the same way. The singer's pleading for answers to questions like "If you don't care, why let me hope and pray so?" and "Should I keep dreaming on, or just forget you?" exemplify their confusion and longing. Their vulnerability is palpable, and they show how their emotions are entirely in the hands of the other person.
The song's melody and harmonies emphasize the mood of longing and uncertainty, with the trumpet and other instrumental accompaniments contributing to the emotive force that the lyrics command. The song evokes a sense of yearning, the haunting refrain of "I wish I knew" echoing in the listener's mind long after the song is over.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish I knew someone like you could love me
I yearn to know that someone as wonderful as you could truly love and reciprocate my affections.
I wish I knew you place no one above me
I hope and beg that you hold no other person in higher regard than me, and that I am truly special to you.
Did I mistake this for a real romance?
I question whether what we have between us is a genuine romantic connection, or merely a figment of my imagination.
I wish I knew, but only you can answer.
I am uncertain, and can only find clarity in your honest response to my inquiries and doubts.
If you don't care, why let me hope and pray so
If you do not have any feelings for me, why do you build my hopes and give me false expectations to cling onto?
Don't lead me on, if I'm a fool just say so,
I implore you not to deceive me with false impressions or insincere actions, and to be honest and straightforward with me about my place in your life.
Should I keep dreaming on, or just forget you?
I contemplate whether to continue nurturing my hopes and affections for you, or to let go and forget about you once and for all.
What shall I do, I wish I knew
I am lost and confused, and desperately seek guidance and clarity in what actions to take or decisions to make regarding us.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVE BARTHOLOMEW, BOBBY MITCHELL, ELMO MONTGOMERY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-zy4yq5dn4y
Heaven sends A song through its doors そのドアを通って
Just as if it seems to kno まるで知っているみたいです。
I'm exclusively yo 私はあなたのものでは専ら
Knowing this これを知ること
I feel but one way 私は感じるが、1 つの方法
You will understand too あまりにもわかるだろう
In these words that I say 私と言うこれらの言葉に
I'll close my eyes 私の目を閉じるよ
To everyone but you 誰もが、あなたに
And when I do そして私は
I'll see you standing there 私はそこに立っているあなたを。
I'll lock my heart 私の心をロックします
To any other caress 他の愛撫に
I'll never say yes 私はそうを言うことはないです。
To a new love affair 新しい恋愛に
Then I'll close my eyes その後、私の目を閉じるよ
To everything that's gay すべての同性愛者であることを
If you are not there あなたがない場合
Oh, to share each lovely day ああ、素敵な毎日を共有するには
And through the years 年間を通じて
In those moments これらの瞬間
When we're far apart 遠く離れているとき
Don't you know I'll close my eyes 知らないの私の目を閉じるよ
And I'll see you with my heart 私の心で会いましょうと
@JazzStephane
What a Lovely nice & relaxed feel while swinging so hard. His sound and tone is just pretty and big without overblowing. I too have missed out on this wonderful Trumpet player. Thank God for all of the wonderful recordings the Jazz greats left for us to enjoy and marvel at.
@MyBailey777
The last time I made a comment about Blue's Playing was 2 years ago. I listen to him often. Decided to dig this tune before going to bed right now. Sounds better than ever. What a guy - I need to lie down - emotional, tasteful stuff. Wherever you are Blue, thanks a lot for everything! :-)
@efanshel
Blue has such a beautiful tone. The tone is a musician's calling card..
@y4oihands
I've been listening to this nonstop for some days, i think i know why is it so beautiful to me, it feels like closure, like a full circle, like everything you tried and failed and won is coming back to wash you over with that all those emotions. When all is said and done, if there is ever a definite ending to what we understand as earth, this should play.
@madjazzmike
One of the most fabulous tunes ever ! ✅🏴🕺
@y4oihands
This may be the most beautiful song ever.
@flyjusify
What’s a nice tune~! It’s raining today and I got of my work. I’m just relaxing with a cup of coffee.
@Nobody-tu5wt
One of the cutest tunes of jazz to me
@lfvgamerbro
This is why I love jazz music
@powlly5738
Lovely piece. Worth closing one's eyes to 😊