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
Until
Cassandra Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Unravel the mystery that confines us
Silence is hiding the pain
But deep in your soul you must know
We′ve got to take a chance
And let our spirits flow
Love is an elusive thing
Into every heart it sings
Whatever it takes to make it right
No matter how hard, I will fight for you
I swear that it's true
I want the sweetness in life with you
Until this life is through
Such a bizarre twist of fate
That something so simple still escapes us
While anger and pride cloud your eyes
This is a vision for two
There′s no one else
To tell my deepest secrets to
I don't want to live alone
It would be a lonely song
Whatever it takes to make it right
No matter how hard, I will fight for you
I swear that it's true
I want the sweetness in life with you
Until this life is through
The lyrics of Cassandra Wilson's song "Until" convey a plea for open communication and a desire to break free from the constraints of silence and misunderstandings in a relationship. The singer asks, "How can I change your mind, unravel the mystery that confines us?" indicating a frustration with the walls that separate the two individuals. The use of "silence is hiding the pain" suggests that the lack of communication is causing emotional turmoil and preventing the couple from truly understanding each other.
The singer acknowledges that love is a complex and elusive thing, yet emphasizes the importance of taking a chance and allowing their spirits to flow. There is a recognition that love can bring sweetness to life, and the singer expresses a genuine willingness to fight for the relationship, no matter the challenges they may face. The desire for deep connection is evident in the lines, "There's no one else to tell my deepest secrets to. I don't want to live alone. It would be a lonely song."
The lyrics also touch upon the frustrations of missed opportunities and the confusion caused by anger and pride. The singer refers to these as something "so simple" that still manages to escape them. It seems they long for a shared vision and a united understanding, demonstrating a longing for harmony and a shared journey in life.
Overall, "Until" explores the complexities of love, the importance of open communication, and the desire for deep connection in a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
How can I change your mind
In what way can I convince you to see things differently
Unravel the mystery that confines us
Discover and understand the hidden forces that keep us trapped
Silence is hiding the pain
The absence of words conceals the agony we feel
But deep in your soul you must know
However, on a profound level, you are aware
We′ve got to take a chance
We must be willing to risk and embrace uncertainty
And let our spirits flow
Allow our innermost beings to freely express themselves
Love is an elusive thing
Affection is intangible and evades easy capture
Into every heart it sings
Yet it resonates within every person's soul
Whatever it takes to make it right
I'm willing to do anything necessary to restore harmony
No matter how hard, I will fight for you
Regardless of the difficulty, I will fiercely advocate for us
I swear that it's true
I promise with utmost sincerity
I want the sweetness in life with you
I desire the joy and happiness existence offers, but only together
Until this life is through
Until our journey on this earth comes to an end
Such a bizarre twist of fate
A strange and unexpected turn of destiny
That something so simple still escapes us
Yet, we fail to grasp something that appears uncomplicated
While anger and pride cloud your eyes
Anger and arrogance obstruct your ability to perceive clearly
This is a vision for two
This is a shared aspiration, meant for both of us
There′s no one else
There's no other person
To tell my deepest secrets to
Whom I can confide my innermost truths in
I don't want to live alone
I have no desire to exist in solitude
It would be a lonely song
That would result in a melancholic tune
Writer(s): Marvin Gaye, Warryn Campbell, Charlie Wilson, Antonio Dixon, Michael Stanton, Taalib(musiq) Johnson, Buddy Jones
Contributed by Dylan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.