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
Saddle Up My Pony
Cassandra Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, saddle my pony, saddle up my black mare
I'm gonna find a rider, baby, in the world somewhere
"Hello central, the matter with your line?"
"Hello central, matter, Lord, with your line?"
"Come a storm last night an' tore the wire down"
Brand new Shetland, baby, already trained
Just get in the saddle, tighten up on your reins
And a brownskin woman like somethin' fit to eat
Brownskin woman like somethin' fit to eat
But a jet black woman, don't put your hands on me
Took my baby, to meet the mornin' train
Took baby, meet that mornin' train
An' the blues come down, baby, like showers of rain
I got somethin' to tell you when I gets a chance
Somethin' to tell you when I get a chance
I don't wanna marry, just wanna be your man
The lyrics in Cassandra Wilson's song "Saddle Up My Pony" paints a vivid picture of a cowboy or rider preparing to set off on a journey to find a rider in the world somewhere. The song begins with the chorus, as the singer asks his lover to saddle up his pony and black mare, suggesting that he is about to embark on a journey. He is determined to find a rider as he seems to be tired of the mundane and routine nature of his present life.
The next verse indicates that the singer is having some difficulty communicating with someone on the phone, whom he refers to as Central. There is also a suggestion that they have experienced some trouble with the connection due to a storm that occurred the previous night. Then he goes on to talk about his brand new Shetland, which refers to his horse. He describes how it is already trained, and he asks the listener to get into the saddle and tighten up the reins.
The next section seems to be the singer's thoughts on his preference for women. He mentions a "brownskin woman" that he finds appealing before declaring that a "jet black woman" should not put her hands on him. The song concludes with the singer mentioning that he has something to share with his lover when he gets the chance. He tells her that he doesn't want to marry her; he only wants to be her man.
Overall, "Saddle Up My Pony" come across as a story of a cowboy or rider setting off on a journey, perhaps to find himself or something that will change his current situation. The lyrics depict a sense of adventure, independence, and determination.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, saddle my pony, saddle up my black mare
Hey, love, kindly get my pony ready for our journey. Help me to saddle up my black mare because I'm going to find someone special in this big world.
I'm gonna find a rider, baby, in the world somewhere
I'm searching for a companion who'll make my world complete, so let me ride out and look for that special someone.
"Hello central, the matter with your line?"
Excuse me, operator, I'm having problems with my telephone connection. May I know if the issue is from your end?
"Come a storm last night an' tore the wire down"
There was a heavy downpour last night that caused the phone line outside my house to be disconnected.
Got a brand new Shetland, man, already trained
I just got a new Shetland pony that's already trained and ready to ride.
Just get in the saddle, tighten up on your reins
You only need to climb onto the horse and tighten up on the reins to take control.
And a brownskin woman like somethin' fit to eat
I saw a woman with a brown skin color that's quite appealing to the eyes and looks deliciously attractive.
But a jet black woman, don't put your hands on me
Although I'm attracted to black women, I don't want to be in any intimate relationship with them.
Took my baby, to meet the mornin' train
I took my lover to meet the early morning train.
An' the blues come down, baby, like showers of rain
I felt a sudden wave of deep emotions, like a heavy rain shower, that brought me down with sadness and the blues.
I got somethin' to tell you when I gets a chance
There's something important I need to tell you, but I'll do so when the time is right.
I don't wanna marry, just wanna be your man
I don't want the formal commitment of marriage, but I just want to be your companion and partner.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHARLEY PATTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind