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
I Didn
Cassandra Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yesterday, perhaps
Danced with Jim and Paul
And kissed some other chaps
Once I was young
But never was naive
I thought I had a trick or two
And now I know I was naive
I didn't know what time it was
Then I met you
Oh, what a lovely time it was
How sublime it was too
I didn't know what day it was
You held my hand
Warm like the month of May it was
And I'll say it was grand
Grand to be alive, to be young
To be mad, to be yours alone
Grand to see your face, feel your touch
Hear your voice say, "I'm all your own"
I didn't know what year it was
Life was no prize
I wanted love and here it was
Shining out of your eyes
I'm wise and I know what time it is now
Grand to be alive, to be young
To be mad, to be yours alone
Grand to see your face, feel your touch
Hear your voice say, "I'm all your own"
I didn't know what year it was
Life was no prize
I wanted love and here it was
Shining out of your eyes
I'm wise and I know what time it is now
The song "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" by Cassandra Wilson talks about the experiences of a woman who was once young and carefree, and who thought she had everything under control. She tells of how she danced with Jim and Paul, kissed other chaps and thought she had a trick or two up her sleeve. However, she realizes that she was naive then. She then meets someone special who completely changes her perception of life. The one she meets is like a beacon for her and she is struck by how lovely and sublime their time together is. It was this person who taught her what time it is and what truly matters in life.
The woman in the song did not understand the value of life and love until she met that person and experienced a true connection. She reflects on not knowing what day it was until he held her hand, and how grand it was to be alive and young, to be mad and to be his alone. The love that bloomed between them taught her the significance of time and how life can be a grand prize when you have someone to truly love.
The song is about the beauty of love and how it can transform a person's life. It reminds us that sometimes, we are not fully aware of what truly matters in life until we meet that one person who teaches us to value love and time. The song is a beautiful ode to true love and how it can change a person's perception of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Once I was young
In the past, during my youthful days
Yesterday, perhaps
Maybe it was just recently, but still in the past
Danced with Jim and Paul
I danced with some guys named Jim and Paul
And kissed some other chaps
I also kissed some other men
But never was naive
However, I was not foolish or inexperienced
I thought I had a trick or two
I believed I had some clever schemes
Up my imaginary sleeve
In my imagination
And now I know I was naive
Now I realize I was indeed inexperienced and foolish
I didn't know what time it was
I didn't know where I stood in life
Then I met you
But when I met you
Oh, what a lovely time it was
What a wonderful experience it was
How sublime it was too
How perfect it was
I didn't know what day it was
I didn't know what day of the week it was
You held my hand
But you held my hand
Warm like the month of May it was
It was comforting and pleasing, like springtime in May
And I'll say it was grand
And I must admit it was amazing
Grand to be alive, to be young
It was magnificent to be alive and young
To be mad, to be yours alone
To be passionately in love with you, and for you to feel the same
Grand to see your face, feel your touch
It was wonderful to see your face and feel your touch
Hear your voice say, "I'm all your own"
To hear you tell me you belong to me only
Life was no prize
Life wasn't enjoyable, it was lacking something
I wanted love and here it was
I was looking for love, and I found it with you
Shining out of your eyes
I could see the love emanating from your eyes
I'm wise and I know what time it is now
Now I am smarter and wiser, and I know where I stand in life
Lyrics Β© Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: LORENZ HART, RICHARD RODGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gianluca Chiarini
I've always been so fond of this album, Cassandra's voice texture and the incredible Mulgrew Miller's soloing. I used to listen to a tdk cassette all along my youth. Thanks for sharing a piece of that masterpiece from the 80s.
Josh Nelson
Couldn't agree with you more. This is one of my most favorite albums. Cassandra is simply stunning, and the band is pure fire. My heart feels good listening to this. This might be my favorite track as well. As a young jazz pianist, I marveled at Mulgrew's solo and learned it note-for-note. Terri Lyne and Lonnie both are swinging so hard. A true testament of the power of excellent musicianship. Thank you for posting this, and for your wonderful comments!
Jill G.
Her scat on this is f-a-n-t-a-s-t-i-c! Groundbreaking! The other masterpiece of intense swing from this album is 'I'm Old-Fashioned,' which never before sounded like that.
delderful
great rendition of a great song....she really swings
Mitchozie0319
Get the vinyl, you'll never regret it.
mizpahboy
Nobody can kick it like Cassandra.
2chann
Great upload!!!
Kathleen Shaffner
WOW! LOVE!
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Linda Sobieski
I listened