Jazzman
Carole King Lyrics


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Lift me, won't you lift me above the old routine;
Make it nice, play it clean jazzman.

When the jazzman's testifyin' a faithless man believes
He can sing you into paradise or bring you to your knees.

It's a gospel kind of feelin', a touch of Georgia slide,
A song of pure revival and a style that's sanctified.

Jazzman take my blues away;
Make my pain the same as yours with every change you play.
Jazzman, oh jazzman.

When the jazzman's signifyin', and the band is windin' low.
It's the late night side of morning in the darkness of his soul.

He can fill a room with sadness as he fills his horn with tears.
He can cry like a fallen angel when risin' time is near.

Jazzman take my blues away;
Make my pain the same as yours with every change you play.




Oh lift me, won't you lift me with ev'ry turn around;
Play it sweetly, take me down, oh jazzman.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Carole King's "Jazzman" convey a powerful message of the healing power of music. The song is written as a tribute to the jazz musicians who are able to take their listeners on a journey that lifts them above the mundane, into a place of inspiration and transformation. The song encourages the jazzman to continue playing his music, providing a sense of uplift, joy, and solace to those who listen. The singer implores the jazzman to take away her blues, matching her pain with his, and infusing her with the emotional energy of his music.


One of the key themes of the song is the idea of transcendence. The jazzman is presented as a kind of spiritual guide, able to lift his listeners out of their everyday lives and into a realm of pure emotion and pure music. The reference to "testifyin'" suggests that he is able to communicate a message that is both deeply personal and universal, touching the hearts of his listeners and inspiring them to believe in something greater than themselves. Moreover, the jazzman is able to convey a sense of the sacred, offering a glimpse into a world beyond the mundane.


Overall, "Jazzman" is a powerful tribute to the transformative power of music. It speaks to the way that jazz can change lives, inspire hope and faith, and provide a sense of solace in difficult times. The song's lyrics are deeply moving, and they offer a powerful reminder of the importance of music in our lives.


Line by Line Meaning

Lift me, won't you lift me above the old routine;
Help me break away from my monotonous life and experience something new and exciting.


Make it nice, play it clean jazzman.
Play your music in a smooth and pleasant way, without any flaws or mistakes.


When the jazzman's testifyin' a faithless man believes
When the jazzman is performing, even those who lack faith can believe in something greater because of the power of music.


He can sing you into paradise or bring you to your knees.
The jazzman's music can uplift you and transport you to a better place, or it can bring you low and make you feel the depths of despair.


It's a gospel kind of feelin', a touch of Georgia slide,
The feeling that the jazzman's music evokes is similar to that of gospel music, and it has a distinct Southern influence.


A song of pure revival and a style that's sanctified.
The jazzman's music has the power to revive and renew the listener, and it has a holy, almost divine quality to it.


Jazzman take my blues away;
I turn to the jazzman's music to help me forget my troubles and find some peace of mind.


Make my pain the same as yours with every change you play.
The jazzman's music resonates with me so deeply that my pain feels like his pain as I listen to each new musical phrase.


When the jazzman's signifyin', and the band is windin' low.
As the jazzman plays his music, and the band starts to slow down, there is a certain melancholy feeling that comes over everyone in the room.


It's the late night side of morning in the darkness of his soul.
The jazzman's music is like the dark side of the morning, where time seems to stand still, and deep emotions come to the surface.


He can fill a room with sadness as he fills his horn with tears.
The jazzman's music is so emotive that it can make an entire room feel sad, and the notes that he plays on his horn sound like tears.


He can cry like a fallen angel when risin' time is near.
As the jazzman's music comes to its climax, he plays with such emotion that it sounds like the cry of a fallen angel, ready to be redeemed.


Oh lift me, won't you lift me with ev'ry turn around;
I want to be lifted up by the jazzman's music with each new musical phrase, and feel that sense of catharsis as the music flows over me.


Play it sweetly, take me down, oh jazzman.
Let me immerse myself in the sweetness of your music, and let it take me down to a place of peace and comfort.




Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CAROLE KING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@spiritgover4223

This song's intro always stopped me in my tracks as a kid in the 1970s. Music and the radio was all we had. Our primary source of entertainment. It got me through my early life. Carole's voice is in all our DNA.

@drkimberlystclair

I can't believe how lucky I was to be a teenager in the 70's. Thank you God!

@alistaircooke7000

A kid of the 70's here.

@jamesmackinlay4477

Me to man the 70s were a trip always liked Carole King

@stephenpmurphy591

Yep, 1974 San Francisco bay area! Now in 2022 add five point eight million more people.
Take me back to 1974.....They forgot The Exorcist in movies & All in the family & the Carol Burnett show on TV.

@user-dc6mg2rk8p

Me too. A young 19 years old with my draft lottery number 84. Left for Fort Polk, Louisiana March of 71. Brings back memories.

@michaelbruns449

wow

28 More Replies...

@paulcousineaujr.2492

My favorite Carole King song, a touch of genius, truly!

@franciswilliams5275

One of my favorite Carole King songs, the 70s had the best music.

@IanBideshi-wr7pk

The 70's were the best

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