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
Lay Lady Lay
Cassandra Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lay lady lay, lay across my big brass bed
Whatever colors you have in your mind
I'll show them to you and I'll see them shine
Lay lady lay, lay across my big brass bed
Stay lady stay, stay with your man awhile
Until the break of day let me see you make him smile
And you're the best thing that he's ever seen, oh
Lay lady lay, lay across my big brass bed
Why wait any longer for the world to begin?
You can have your cake and eat it too
Why wait any longer for the one you love
When he's standing in front of you?
Lay, lay lady lay, lay
I long to see you in the morning light
I long to reach for you in the night
Lay lady lay, lay across my big brass bed
Lay, lay, lay, lay
Stay, stay, stay with your man awhile
Lay, layy, lay, let me see you make him smile
Let me see you make him smile
Lay lady lay
Cassandra Wilson's Lay Lady Lay is a soulful and sensual interpretation of Bob Dylan's classic song. The song is a love letter to a woman, inviting her to lay on a big brass bed with the singer. Throughout the song, the singer promises to show the lady whatever colors she has in mind, and even though the man's clothes might be dirty, she is the best thing he has ever seen. The second verse encourages the lady to stay with her man until the break of day and make him smile. The singer then questions why the lady is waiting for the world to begin or her love to stand right in front of her. The song finishes with the singer longing to see the lady in the morning light and to reach for her in the night.
Wilson's version of Lay Lady Lay infuses the song with a soulful jazz sound. Her sultry voice adds a new layer of sensuality to the lyrics. The song invites the listener to imagine themselves as the lady being courted by the singer on his big brass bed. Wilson's version of Lay Lady Lay was released as a single in 1995 and was included on the album, New Moon Daughter. It received critical acclaim and helped to establish Cassandra Wilson as one of the most inventive interpreters of iconic songs.
Line by Line Meaning
Lay lady lay, lay across my big brass bed
Come lie down on my bed and let's spend some time together.
Whatever colors you have in your mind
I want to know all of your thoughts and feelings.
I'll show them to you and I'll see them shine
I want to help you express yourself and feel valued.
Stay lady stay, stay with your man awhile
Don't leave your partner, spend some more time with him.
Until the break of day let me see you make him smile
I want to witness the happiness you bring to your lover.
His clothes are dirty but his hands are clean
Your partner may not appear wealthy, but he has a good heart and intentions.
And you're the best thing that he's ever seen, oh
You are the most important and beloved person in your partner's life.
Why wait any longer for the world to begin?
Don't hold back from experiencing all that life has to offer.
You can have your cake and eat it too
You can have all the good things in life if you go out and seek them.
Why wait any longer for the one you love
Don't wait to express your love to the person you care for.
When he's standing in front of you?
When the person you love is right there, don't hesitate or hold back.
I long to see you in the morning light
I want to wake up next to you and start my day with you.
I long to reach for you in the night
I want to hold you close and comforting in the darkness of night.
Let me see you make him smile
I want to witness the joy and happiness you bring to your lover.
Lay lady lay, lay across my big brass bed
Come lie down on my bed and let's spend some time together.
Contributed by Aubrey C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.