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
If It
Cassandra Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then why can't it be everlasting
Like the sun that always shines
Like the poets in this rhyme
Like the galaxies in time
If it's pleasing
Then why can't it be never leaving
Like on seashores there are shells
Like the time that always tells
It holds the key to every heart
Throughout the universe
It fills you up without a bite
And quenches every thirst
So
If it's special
Then with it why aren't we as careful
As making sure we dress in style
Posing pictures with a smile
Keeping danger from a child
It holds the key to every heart
Throughout the universe
It fills you up without a bite
And quenches every thirst
So
If it's magic
Why can't we make it everlasting
Like the lifetime of the sun
It will leave no heart undone
For there's enough for everyone
In “If It’s Magic”, Cassandra Wilson contemplates the essence of magic and its elusive yet powerful nature. The song suggests that magic is something that is, at least in theory, within our grasp, akin to the “galaxies in time” or “the day that never fails”. The repetition of the phrase “if it’s magic” highlights the open-ended and elusive nature of the concept, something which will always remain out of reach. However, the song suggests that magic is not just something supernatural or fantastical, but something that holds the key to every heart and fills us up without a bite, quenching every thirst. It’s a force that, like the sun or seashores, offers everlasting pleasure and joy.
The song goes on to question why we can’t make magic everlasting, much like the lifetime of the sun. Wilson touches on the idea of being more careful with something special, positioning magic as something rare and precious that needs to be protected. She reminds us that we should be happy and cherish moments of magic, and the song has an almost spiritual feel to it, suggesting that magic is something ethereal and otherworldly that we can only grasp in fleeting moments.
Line by Line Meaning
If it's magic
The singer is questioning the existence of something magical.
Then why can't it be everlasting
Why can't the magical thing last forever like the sun, poets, and galaxies?
Like the sun that always shines
The sun is an example of something that's always present and reliable.
Like the poets in this rhyme
Poets in this rhyme are an example of something that's timeless, like magic.
Like the galaxies in time
Galaxies are an example of how vast and enduring magic can be.
If it's pleasing
The singer is wondering if the magical thing is pleasurable.
Then why can't it be never leaving
If something brings joy, why does it always have to go away?
Like the day that never fails
The singer wants the magical thing to be as reliable as the day.
Like on seashores there are shells
Just like shells always wash up on shore, the magical thing should never disappear.
Like the time that always tells
Time is a constant presence, and the singer wants the magical thing to be too.
It holds the key to every heart
The magical thing has a profound impact on everyone.
Throughout the universe
The impact of the magical thing is felt everywhere.
It fills you up without a bite
It satisfies you without even being physical.
And quenches every thirst
The magical thing satisfies every desire.
So
The singer is transitioning to a new thought.
If it's special
The singer is questioning the rarity and uniqueness of the magical thing.
Then with it why aren't we as careful
If it's so special, why aren't we more cautious with it?
As making sure we dress in style
We should take as much care with the magical thing as we do our own outfits.
Posing pictures with a smile
We should cherish the magical thing as much as we value photos that capture happy memories.
Keeping danger from a child
We should protect the magical thing from harm.
Why can't we make it everlasting
The singer is repeating her desire for the magical thing to be eternal.
Like the lifetime of the sun
The sun has been shining for billions of years, and the singer wants the magical thing to last as long.
It will leave no heart undone
The magical thing will touch every heart.
For there's enough for everyone
There's no reason why the magical thing can't be shared by all.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVIE WONDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
klepsidra7
If loving you is wrong, I don't wanna be right
If being right means being without you
I'd rather live a wrong doing life
Your mama and daddy say it's a shame
It's a downright disgrace
But long as I got you by my side
I don't care what your people say
Your friends tell you it's no future
In loving a married man
If I can't see you when I want to
I'll see you when I can
If loving you is wrong, I don't wanna be right
If loving you is wrong, I don't wanna be right
Am I wrong to fall so deeply in love with you
Knowing I got a wife and two little children
Depending on me too
And am I wrong to hunger
For the gentleness of your touch
Knowing I got someone else at home
Who need me just as much
And are you wrong to give your love
To a married man
And am I wrong trying to hold on
To the best thing I ever had?
If loving you is wrong, I don't wanna be right
If loving you is wrong, I don't wanna be right
Are you wrong to give your love
To a married man
And am I wrong trying to hold on
To the best thing I ever had?
If loving you is wrong, I don't wanna be right
If loving you is wrong, I don't wanna be right
I don't wanna be right
If it means being without you
I don't wanna be right
If it means sleeping at night
I don't wanna be right
If loving you is wrong
northernsoutherngirl
I ❤this woman's voice!!! She can do no wrong!! Didn't know she covered this song!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Michael Morris
Great voice, great style. 🎶
Constantin Akentiev
One of the most fantastic releases of Her Majesty!
RipleyNgr
yes its wrong, but its so hard to say 'lets put an end to it'...im in similar situation and when i hear this song i always cry... she has such a beautiful voice
Sylvia Hankin
I have an abundance of gratitude to you for sharing your instrument of voice. My lady Cassandra, you hold a graceful high standard equaling, FIRST CLASS.
LOVE AND LIGHT,
SYLVIA
aric paine
Sylvia Hankin i share the same light
Gerard McLean
Were have I been to have missed this absolute genius? Watching a programme on jazz and the name came up brilliant!
John Henderson
She's absolutely amazing! This is the first I've heard of her; I'm pretty impressed.
thetruepirili
This song tells my story.
Cassandra tells it gently and beautifully.
DorrisDiaz
Terrific version of this classic. Love it!