He has also worked in collaboration with instrumental performers including pianist Chick Corea and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. This collaboration has established him as an ambassador of both the classical and jazz worlds. His recordings have sold over 20 million copies.
In addition to his vocal performing career, Mr. McFerrin was appointed in 1994 as creative chair of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.
He is the subject of a persistent yet wholly unfounded rumour that he has committed suicide. The rumor was so strong that the official Bobby McFerrin FAQ addressed the question.
Mr. McFerrin and his oft-maligned hit "Don't Worry, Be Happy" were parodied on "The Simpsons" as "I'm Worried - Need Money".
'Round Midnight
Bobby McFerrin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Round midnight, midnight
I do pretty well, till after sundown
Suppertime I'm feelin' sad
But it really gets bad
'Round midnight
Memories always start 'round midnight
When my heart is still with you
And ol' midnight knows it, too
When a quarrel we had needs mending
Does it mean that our love is ending
Darlin' I need you, lately I find
You're out of my heart
And I'm out of my mind
Let our hearts take wings'
'Round midnight, midnight
Let the angels sing
For your returning
Till our love is safe and sound
And old midnight comes around
Feelin' sad
Really gets bad
Round, Round, Round Midnight
The song 'Round Midnight by Bobby McFerrin is a jazz standard that talks about the memories and sadness that come back around midnight when a lover is not around. The song starts with the singer saying that he does well until after sundown, when he starts feeling sad again. Suppertime is the worst because it reminds him of his lover's absence. Midnight is when memories start to come back. The singer then admits that his heart is still with his lover, and midnight knows it too. He wonders if every disagreement they have means the end of their love. He concludes by saying he needs his lover and that his heart is out of control without her.
The lyrics of the song revolve around the theme of nostalgia and heartbreak, and the concept of midnight as a time that triggers memories and sadness. The song conveys a sense of longing for a lost love and the hope for a return. It is a poignant portrayal of the human experience of love and loss that many can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
It begins to tell
The story starts
'Round midnight, midnight
At around midnight
I do pretty well, till after sundown
I am content until the sun sets
Suppertime I'm feelin' sad
I feel sorrowful during dinner time
But it really gets bad
However, it gets worse
'Round midnight
At around midnight
Memories always start 'round midnight
The memories always return around midnight
Haven't got the heart to stand those memories
I cannot bear those memories
When my heart is still with you
When my heart is still with you
And ol' midnight knows it, too
And midnight knows that is true
When a quarrel we had needs mending
When we need to mend a quarrel
Does it mean that our love is ending
Does it mean that our love is going to end?
Darlin' I need you, lately I find
My love, I need you, and lately I've realized
You're out of my heart
That you're no longer in my heart
And I'm out of my mind
And I'm out of my mind
Let our hearts take wings'
Let our hearts soar
'Round midnight, midnight
At around midnight
Let the angels sing
Let the angels sing
For your returning
For your return
Till our love is safe and sound
Until our love is secure
And old midnight comes around
And old midnight arrives
Feelin' sad
Feeling sorrowful
Really gets bad
It gets really bad
Round, Round, Round Midnight
Around, around, around midnight
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cootie Williams, Bernard D Hanighen, Theolonious S Monk
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jarbon5
This is one of the coolest renditions of this song. Bobby puts it down here. And, I love watching Tony Williams, the drummer, come onto the set puffing the cigar. That scene is just too cool! Still, this video is so awesome!
@viejoyner7215
Arthur Jankins love that part too❤
@robertgonzales8320
An an artist in complete control of his instrument - bends notes like nobodys bizness. Haunting and beautifully rendered. Genius.
@mizpahboy7513
All right......from the very top, let say that "Round Midnight" is among one of the most haunting songs I have ever heard and there are many. "Strange Fruit" comes to mind. But "Round Midnight" has always put me in a certain mood, and when Bobby McFerrin does his rendition of it.....It transports me. The sheer beauty of his voice is magic!!. Not to take away from the other great vocalist who have performed this jem over the years...all have been magnificent, But Bobby just takes me to another place.
@jayxjay28
Watched this in 87'. Recorded on VHS tape. Watched repeatedly and it still holds up.😎
@Teladian2
@smokenfly. It's not just the notes he can hit, that's just the beginning of music. It's the emotion and pure understanding of this song and what it says and what Monk was saying when he composed it that make this a completely outstanding performance. Mr. McFerrin is one of the most talented and insightful musicians around. Cheers for this Gem. Also just because he won his Grammy for Don't Worry Be Happy, this proves he deserved it.
@MindenMoose
I love Round Midnight and I love Bobby. He is an absolute genius!
@simonduring-nicholson7228
Herbie... Herbie.... HERBIE!!!!!!!
Perfection..... sheer perfection.
Every rendition of this tune is SO different but JUST as perfect!!!
@viejoyner7215
Composition itself is perfection.
@vatanenj
One of the unforgettable performances in the movie. Great comping by Herbie. One of the most beautiful tunes in Jazz, ever...