Wilson's repertoire includes both jazz and blues standards and renditions of pop and rock songs. Her contralto voice has been described as bluesy and sultry, and the style of her music ranges from swing to funk to bossa nova. Many of the songs she covers are by artists who usually record in other genres.
Wilson counts the late Miles Davis as one of her greatest influences. In 1989 she performed as the opening act for Davis at the JVC Jazz Festival in Chicago. In 1999 she produced Traveling Miles as a tribute to Davis. The album developed from a series of jazz concerts that she performed at Lincoln Center in November 1997 in Davis's honor and includes three selections based on Davis's own compositions, in which Wilson adapted the original themes.
A Brief Discography
Point of View (1986, JMT)
Days Aweigh (1987, JMT)
Blue Skies (1988, JMT)
Jumpworld (1989, JMT)
She Who Weeps (1990, JMT)
Live (1991, JMT)
After the Beginning Again (1992, JMT)
Dance to the Drums Again (1992, DIW/Columbia)
Blue Light 'til Dawn (1993, Blue Note)
New Moon Daughter (1995, Blue Note)
Rendezvous (with Jacky Terrasson) (1998, Blue Note)
Traveling Miles (1999, Blue Note)
Belly of the Sun (2002, Blue Note)
Glamoured (2003, Blue Note)
Thunderbird (2006, Blue Note)
Loverly (2008, Blue Note)
Silver Pony (2010, Blue Note)
Another Country (2012, eOne)
Official website: www.cassandrawilson.com
Blue Skies
Cassandra Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nothing but blue skies do I see
Bluebirds singing a song
Nothing but bluebirds from now on
I never saw the sun shining so bright
Never saw things goin' so right
When you're in love, my, my, how they fly
Blue days, all of them gone
Nothing but blue skies from now on
Looking at me
Blue skies looking at me
Nothing but blue skies do I see
Bluebirds singing a song
Nothing but bluebirds from now on
I never saw the sun shining so bright
Never saw things goin' so right
Noticing the days hurrying by
When you're in love, my, my, how they fly
Blue days, all of them gone
Nothing but blue skies
Nothing but blue skies
Blue skies, blue, blue skies
Nothing but blue skies from now on
Cassandra Wilson's rendition of "Blue Skies" is a soulful and bluesy interpretation of the classic song written by Irving Berlin in 1926. The song is about the joy and optimism of being in love and seeing the world in a positive light. The opening lines, "Blue skies looking at me, nothing but blue skies do I see," are a symbol of the fresh start and new beginning that love can bring. Wilson's sultry vocals and the slow, gentle tempo lend a romantic feel to the song.
The lyrics continue to paint a picture of the happiness that comes with being in love. The bluebirds singing and the sun shining brightly are all symbols of the positivity and euphoria that accompany a joyful love. The line "Noticing the days hurrying by, when you're in love, my, my, how they fly" speaks to the feeling of time passing quickly when you're completely absorbed in a happy relationship. The song ends with the repetition of "nothing but blue skies from now on," reaffirming the optimism and hopefulness that love can bring.
Overall, Wilson's interpretation of "Blue Skies" is a moving ode to the transformative power of love. Her emotive delivery underscores the depth of feeling conveyed in the lyrics, making it a touching and memorable rendition of a classic song.
Line by Line Meaning
Blue skies looking at me
The singer sees blue skies and feels optimistic about the future
Nothing but blue skies do I see
The singer feels that there is nothing but positivity in store for her.
Bluebirds singing a song
The singer hears birds singing and considers it a good omen.
Nothing but bluebirds from now on
The singer expects more positivity and good fortune in the future.
I never saw the sun shining so bright
The singer is amazed at how beautiful and bright the sunlight is.
Never saw things goin' so right
The singer is surprised at how well everything is going in her life.
Noticing the days hurrying by
The singer is aware that time is passing quickly and wants to make the most of her happy moments.
When you're in love, my, my, how they fly
When you're happy and in love, time seems to pass very quickly.
Blue days, all of them gone
The singer had sad and lonely days before, but now those days are gone.
Nothing but blue skies from now on
The singer expects to have only good, happy days in the future.
Looking at me
The blue skies are a symbol of hope and positivity, and they seem to be specifically aimed at the singer.
Blue skies, blue, blue skies
The singer is emphasizing the blue skies, perhaps to reinforce her optimism and happiness.
Nothing but blue skies from now on
The singer repeats the line to emphasize her conviction that her future will be bright and full of happiness.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Irving Berlin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind