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
Never Broken
Cassandra Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Under hues deepest blues hereafter
We touch souls and the moment glows
Here and now, we are far more than our senses
Every year brings us near to heaven
Every breath drawn in pain and pleasure
We embrace through the nights and days
Circle is never broken
Over tones over waves of laughter
Under hues deepest blues hereafter
We touch souls and the moment glows
Here and now, we are far more than our senses
Every year brings us near to heaven
Every breath drawn in pain and pleasure
We embrace through the nights and days
Then and now our love
Circle is never broken
Circle is never broken
Circle is never broken
Circle is never broken
Circle is never broken
Circle is never broken
The song "Never Broken" by Cassandra Wilson is a beautiful tribute to the power of love and connection. The lyrics talk about how, despite the challenges and uncertainties of life, love and human connections can transcend everything to create unbreakable bonds. In the first few lines, the lyrics speak of "over tones over waves of laughter," and "under hues deepest blues hereafter." These phrases suggest that even in moments of joy and sadness, there is always a deeper and more profound connection that exists between people.
The lyrics also speak of the passage of time and how it can bring us closer to the divine. Every year that passes brings us closer to heaven, and every breath that we take, whether in pain or pleasure, is an opportunity to connect with the world around us. The words "Here and now our love circle is never broken" are repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the idea that love, unlike material things, is something that can never be taken away or destroyed.
The song's chorus speaks of the unbreakable circle of love that connects all of us. This circle is not limited by time, space, or even death. It is a symbol of the eternal nature of love, and how it can transcend everything, including the boundaries of our minds and our senses. Ultimately, the lyrics suggest that despite all the challenges and uncertainties of life, love and human connections are what give us meaning and purpose, and that they are the things that sustain us during the darkest moments of our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Over tones over waves of laughter
We experience moments of joy (overtones) that ripple outward (waves) in a communal expression of happiness (laughter).
Under hues deepest blues hereafter
Beneath the surface of our present happiness lies a deep sense of melancholy (deepest blues) that is an inevitable part of life (hereafter).
We touch souls and the moment glows
By connecting with others on a deeper level (touch souls), we create a moment of shared warmth and happiness (glow).
Here and now, we are far more than our senses
In the present moment (here and now), we transcend our physical selves and experience a deeper, spiritual connection with the world and with each other.
Every year brings us near to heaven
As we age and approach the end of our lives (heaven), we gain a greater appreciation for the preciousness of each passing year.
Every breath drawn in pain and pleasure
Each moment of life brings with it both positive (pleasure) and negative (pain) experiences.
We embrace through the nights and days
Through the ups and downs of life (nights and days), we hold onto one another for comfort and support (embrace).
Here and now our love Circle is never broken
Our love for each other, in this moment (here and now), is so strong that it ensures that our bond will never be broken (circle is never broken).
Contributed by Stella E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.