McRae was born in Harlem, New York, on the 8th April 1920, and studied piano as a child. As a teenager she came to the attention of Teddy Wilson and his wife, the composer Irene Kitchings Wilson. Through their influence, one of McRae’s early songs, "Dream of Life", was recorded by Wilson’s longtime collaborator Billie Holiday.
By the late 1940s she was well known among the modern jazz musicians who gathered at Minton's Playhouse, Harlem’s most famous jazz club, where she was the intermission pianist. But it was while working in Brooklyn that she came to the attention of Decca’s Milt Gabler. Her five year association with Decca yielded twelve LPs.
The musicians she sang with include Benny Carter, Mercer Ellington, Count Basie, Sammy Davis Jr, Dave Brubeck, and Louis Armstrong. She was married once (and briefly), to drummer Kenny Clarke.
McRae died on the 10th November 1994.
Take Five
Carmen McRae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A little time out with me
Just take five
Stop your busy day
And take the time out
To see if I'm alive
Though I'm going out of my way
Not a single word do we say
It's a pantomime and not a play
Still, I know our eyes often meet
I feel tingles down to my feet
When you smile, that's much too discreet
Sends me on my way
Wouldn't it be better
Not to be so polite
You could offer a light
Start a little conversation now
It's alright, just take five
Just take five
Though I'm going out of my way
Just so I can pass by each day
Not a single word do we say
It's a pantomime and not a play
Still, I know our eyes often meet
I feel tingles down to my feet
When you smile, that's much too discreet
Sends me on my way
Wouldn't it be better
Not to be so polite
You could offer a light
Start a little conversation now
It's alright, just take five
Just take five
Just take five
Just take five
Just take five
The song “Take Five” by Carmen McRae is about stopping and taking a break from the busyness of everyday life to connect with someone. The first stanza encourages the listener to take some time out of their busy day to spend with the singer. The singer suggests that they pass each other every day, but never have a conversation. They suggest that it would be better to have a conversation and get to know each other a little better.
The second stanza reiterates the first, highlighting the fact that they’ve never spoken despite seeing each other every day. However, the singer confesses that they feel a connection with the other person. They suggest that instead of just exchanging pleasantries, they could have a deeper conversation and get to know each other better. The song ends with the suggestion to “just take five,” which means to take a short break from the day to connect with others and enjoy life.
Overall, the song is a call to slow down and enjoy life more by connecting with others. The singer acknowledges that life is busy and we all have places to be, but suggests that taking a little time out of our day to be present with others can be incredibly rewarding.
Line by Line Meaning
Won't you stop and take
Can you pause your busy day and spend some time with me?
A little time out with me
Spend some time with me and take a break from your daily routine.
Just take five
A request to take just five minutes of your day to spend with me.
Stop your busy day
Take a break from your hectic day to spend some time with me.
And take the time out
Take a moment to relax and enjoy each other's company.
To see if I'm alive
Connect with me to feel my presence and see the life in my eyes.
Though I'm going out of my way
Even though I'm making an extra effort to be here with you today.
Just so I can pass by each day
Just to see you every day and have a glimpse of your presence.
Not a single word do we say
Even though we don't speak a word to each other.
It's a pantomime and not a play
Our interactions are silent and without dialogue, like a pantomime.
Still, I know our eyes often meet
Despite not speaking, I often catch you looking at me.
I feel tingles down to my feet
Your gaze gives me a thrilling, exciting sensation all over my body.
When you smile, that's much too discreet
Your reservation with expressing your emotions by smiling discreetly.
Sends me on my way
Your smile affects me deeply and makes me feel compelled to go on with the day.
Wouldn't it be better
Consider another possibility, wouldn't it?
Not to be so polite
Perhaps we should drop the polite pretense and be more honest with each other.
You could offer a light
You could try to start a conversation or engage in a simple gesture with me.
Start a little conversation now
Initiate a casual and enjoyable conversation with me now.
It's alright, just take five
It's okay to take short breaks and enjoy moments of rest and relaxation.
Just take five
Repeating the request to take a pause and spend just five minutes with me.
Lyrics © Soundreef Ltd.
Written by: Paul Desmond
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@oooq4900
Won't you stop and take
A little time out with me
Just take five
Stop your busy day
And take the time out
To see if I'm alive
Though I'm going out of my way
Just so I can pass by each day
Not a single word do we say
It's a pantomime and not a play
Still, I know our eyes often meet
I feel tingles down to my feet
When you smile, that's much too discreet
Sends me on my way
Wouldn't it be better
Not to be so polite
You could offer a light
Start a little conversation now
It's alright, just take five
Just take five
Though I'm going out of my way
Just so I can pass by each day
Not a single word do we say
It's a pantomime and not a play
Still, I know our eyes often meet
I feel tingles down to my feet
When you smile, that's much too discreet
Sends me on my way
Wouldn't it be better
Not to be so polite
You could offer a light
Start a little conversation now
It's alright, just take five
Just take five
@user-pv1cz1ej5e
Won't you stop and take
A little time out with me
Just take five
Stop your busy day
And take the time out
To see if I'm alive
Though I'm going out of my way
Just so I can pass by each day
Not a single word do we say
It's a pantomime and not a play
Still, I know our eyes often meet
I feel tingles down to my feet
When you smile, that's much too discreet
Sends me on my way
Wouldn't it be better
Not to be so polite
You could offer a light
Start a little conversation now
It's alright, just take five
Just take five
Though I'm going out of my way
Just so I can pass by each day
Not a single word do we say
It's a pantomime and not a play
Still, I know our eyes often meet
I feel tingles down to my feet
When you smile, that's much too discreet
Sends me on my way
Wouldn't it be better
Not to be so polite
You could offer a light
Start a little conversation now
It's alright, just take five
Just take five
@dannyelmeza9130
Won't you stop and take
A little time out with me
Just take five
Stop your busy day
And take the time out
To see if I'm alive
Though I'm going out of my way
Though I'm going out of my way
Just so I can pass by each day
Not a single word do we say It's a pantomime and not a play
Still, I know our eyes often meet I feel tingles down to my feet When you smile, that's much too discreet Sends me on my way
Wouldn't it be better Not to be so polite You could offer a light Start a little conversation now It's alright, just take five Just take five Though I'm going out of my way Just so I can pass by each day Not a single word do we say It's a pantomime and not a play Still, I know our eyes often meet I feel tingles down to my feet When you smile, that's much too discreet Sends me on my way Wouldn't it be better Not to be so polite You could offer a light Start a little conversation now It's alright, just take five Just take five
@elisasmith3766
I have dreamt of hearing a vocal version for ages. Thankfully they played this in a coffee place and now my life is complete
@ericsalomonsson4098
S-o-o-o-o Hip-Cool. Never heard a vocal version before. This is just wonderful.
@claudinewarner1728
)111! ppl
@yvetterenee8256
Al Jareau has a vocal version. Not sure if it's the same words.
@thesoultwins72
@Eric Salomonsson......Yes, I used to mix this in on the original Dave Brubeck instrumental version - always sent the audience wild! [released in the UK in 1962 - Fontana Records H.379]
@rmelin13231
My understanding is that Iola Brubeck, Dave's wife, composed the lyrics.
@ivanbueno4153
Me too, was the first time. Vocal version.
@Sparkina
I never even thought this song had words!
@catnipcanoodle
my mind is blown
@TJSol
I absolutely love this, and Carmen McRae's voice is splendid!!!