In 2007, Cécile moved to Aix-en-Provence, France, to study law as well as classical and baroque voice at the Darius Milhaud Conservatory. It was in Aix-en-Provence, with reedist and teacher Jean-François Bonnel, that she started learning about improvisation, instrumental and vocal repertoire ranging from the 1910s on, and sang with her first band. In 2009, after a series of concerts in Paris, she recorded her first album "Cécile", with Jean-François Bonnel's Paris Quintet. A year later, she won the Thelonious Monk competition in Washington D.C.
Cécile performs unique interpretations of unknown and scarcely recorded jazz and blues compositions. She focuses on a theatrical portrayal of the jazz standard and composes music and lyrics which she also sings in French, her native language as well as in Spanish. She enjoys popularity in Europe and in the United States, performing in clubs, concert halls, and festivals accompanied by renowned musicians like Jean-Francois Bonnel, Rodney Whitaker, Aaron Diehl, Dan Nimmer, Sadao Watanabe, Jacky Terrasson (with an a noted collaboration in his "Gouache" Universal CD), Archie Shepp, and Jonathan Batiste. She sings for the 2nd consecutive year for the Chanel’s « Chance » ad campaign. In August 2012, Cécile recorded at the Avatar Studios a CD to be released early next year for the Mack Avenue Label with Aaron Diehl, Rodney Whitaker, Herlin Riley and James Chirillo.
Cécile has performed at numerous festivals such as Jazz à Vienne, Ascona, Whitley Bay, Montauban, Foix, with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra in New York’s Lincoln Center and Chicago’s Symphony Center and with her own band at the Kennedy Center, the Spoleto Jazz Festival, Detroit Jazz Festival and other venues.
Ben Ratliff writes in The New York Times “she sings clearly, with her full pitch range, from a pronounced low end to full and distinct high notes, used sparingly — like the one I heard a few weeks ago at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola on the last word of “What a Little Moonlight Can Do,” the spire in a magnificent set. Her voice clamps into each song, performing careful variations on pitch, stretching words but generally not scatting; her face conveys meaning, representing sorrow or serenity like a silent-movie actor. She also presents a lot of jazz history, and other things…”
Wuthering Heights
Cécile McLorin Salvant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I have come home, I'm so cold
Let me in your window
Out on the wiley, windy moors
We'd roll and fall in green
You had a temper like my jealousy
Too hot, too greedy
When I needed to possess you?
I hated you, I loved you too
Bad dreams in the night
Told me I was going to lose the fight
Leave behind my Wuthering, Wuthering
Wuthering Heights
Heathcliff, it's me, I'm Cathy
I've come home, I'm so cold
Let me in your window
Heathcliff, it's me, I'm Cathy
I've come home, I'm so cold
Let me in your window
Heathcliff, it's me, I'm Cathy
I've come home, I'm so cold
Let me in your window
Heathcliff, it's me, I'm Cathy
I've come home, I'm so cold
Let me in your window
In Cécile McLorin Salvant's rendition of "Wuthering Heights," originally performed and written by Kate Bush, the lyrics recount a passionate and tumultuous love story reminiscent of Emily Bronte's classic novel. The song serves as a narrative from the perspective of Cathy, who pleads to her beloved Heathcliff for acceptance and warmth.
The opening verse, "Heathcliff, it's me, I am Cathy, I have come home, I'm so cold, let me in your window," encapsulates Cathy's desperation and longing for companionship. Cathy feels isolated and seeks solace in rekindling her connection with Heathcliff, symbolized by asking to be let into his window. The reference to being cold indicates both physical discomfort and emotional detachment, highlighting her need for warmth and understanding.
The following lines, "Out on the wiley, windy moors, we'd roll and fall in green, you had a temper like my jealousy, too hot, too greedy," delve into their passionate relationship. The "wiley, windy moors" represent the place where they would escape to be together, rolling and falling in green, possibly referring to the lush surrounding landscape. The description of their disposition captures both their intense love and their fiery and possessive natures. Cathy acknowledges that their love had its flaws, with Heathcliff's temper mirroring her own jealousy.
The chorus, "Bad dreams in the night, told me I was going to lose the fight, leave behind my Wuthering, Wuthering, Wuthering Heights," alludes to the internal conflict and challenges in their relationship. Cathy confesses to having nightmares that foretold her impending defeat, signifying the struggles and hardships they faced. Using "Wuthering Heights" as a metaphor, she recognizes the need to leave behind the tumultuous and stormy aspects of their love, perhaps in search of stability and peace.
Overall, McLorin Salvant's interpretation of "Wuthering Heights" captures the emotional intensity and complexity of Cathy and Heathcliff's love, highlighting their longing, passion, and eventual acceptance of their fractured relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Heathcliff, it's me, I am Cathy
Heathcliff, I am speaking to you, it is me, Cathy
I have come home, I'm so cold
I have returned to my home, feeling cold and lonely
Let me in your window
Allow me to enter through your window
Out on the wiley, windy moors
Outside, on the wild and windy moors
We'd roll and fall in green
We would tumble and fall on the green grass
You had a temper like my jealousy
Your temperament was as fiery as my jealousy
Too hot, too greedy
Excessively passionate, excessively desirous
How could you leave me
Why did you abandon me
When I needed to possess you?
When I longed to claim you as my own?
I hated you, I loved you too
I despised you, yet I also loved you
Bad dreams in the night
Disturbing dreams during the night
Told me I was going to lose the fight
Predicted my inevitable loss in this struggle
Leave behind my Wuthering, Wuthering
Abandon my tumultuous, turbulent
Wuthering Heights
Heightened emotional state
Heathcliff, it's me, I'm Cathy
Heathcliff, I am speaking to you, it is me, Cathy
I've come home, I'm so cold
I have returned to my home, feeling cold and lonely
Let me in your window
Allow me to enter through your window
Heathcliff, it's me, I'm Cathy
Heathcliff, I am speaking to you, it is me, Cathy
I've come home, I'm so cold
I have returned to my home, feeling cold and lonely
Let me in your window
Allow me to enter through your window
Heathcliff, it's me, I'm Cathy
Heathcliff, I am speaking to you, it is me, Cathy
I've come home, I'm so cold
I have returned to my home, feeling cold and lonely
Let me in your window
Allow me to enter through your window
Heathcliff, it's me, I'm Cathy
Heathcliff, I am speaking to you, it is me, Cathy
I've come home, I'm so cold
I have returned to my home, feeling cold and lonely
Let me in your window
Allow me to enter through your window
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Kate Bush
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Beecroft
I usually approach Kate covers with such trepidation but this is so amazing. I know Kate has said that when she sang this she really was trying to embody Catherine Earnshaw as a ghost, and Cecile has just ramped this up. It’s so evocative. She has really emphasised how good Kate is at song craft. 10 out of 10.
major houlihan
Chilling and amazing hommage à Kate Bush. Especially this soulful yet ultra reduced minimal presence of the voice. I just discovered cecile and she must be in the same pure musicians musician realm of arooj aftab, enya, björk and - of course kate bush. 💜💜💜
June Asiimwe
Such a unique take on one of my favorite songs of all time. Covering Kate Bush is no easy feat.
Gabriele Luparello
Terribly difficult, I'd say.
CrueLoaf
Amazing version. Very brave to tackle such a song.
It’s the first track on Cecile’s new album and sets the tone.
It’s a stunning album!!
Sealion Daydream
Goosebumps all over my body from her beautiful haunting voice. Love the sparse production that eventually amps up, such a tone setter for the rest of the album!
Abady M G
The first part before the backing tracks moves in is so haunting. So mystical. Like someone could obtain a recording of Catherine's ghost just casually singing this while roaming around. Brilliant idea and perfect sound engineering to give this effect.
Michael Fox
So beautiful and new. Your voice is meeting your heart and mind in a special way!
cool music for cool people
love the way that the bass cuts in
Yurungai
QUE COISA ABSURDAMENTE LINDA!! / WHAT AN AMZING THING!!!! ❤️💛💚😌🌟