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
Woman on the Edge
Cassandra Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Follow the path that she has chosen to take her anywhere
She walks beneath the city lights, no other way
Until she captures every eye and makes the pavement sway
Woman on the edge, something to behold
Her happiness is simple and clear
Like a spot of shade or a bottle of beer
She looks at the moon and laughs
Then away she goes
Until a stranger passes by that she might want to know
He's got a penny in his pocket he wants to give away
She looks at him dead in the eye, spits on the street and says
"Ho, I don't need your money, I don't need your time
I'm on my way to another world
Where the people play like clouds in the sky,"
Clouds in the sky, clouds in the sky
Why don't you stop and ask her
How she feels about the life she's living?
The lyrics of Cassandra Wilson's song "Woman on the Edge" paint a portrait of a strong, independent woman who walks along the city streets, fiercely determined to pursue her dreams, unmindful of anyone else's opinion of her. The opening lines of the song attest to her resolve when she walks as if no one would dare follow her chosen path. Wilson's lyrics describe a woman who is unapologetically confident in herself, undaunted by challenges, intoxicating and captivating everyone who comes in contact with her.
As the song progresses, Wilson's lyrics use simple but evocative imagery to show how the woman dazzles and mesmerizes her onlookers. She walks beneath the city lights and captures every eye, making the pavement sway. The simplicity of her happiness is likened to a "spot of shade or a bottle of beer, coolin' the day away." Meanwhile, the woman's laughter, a symbol of her freedom, echoes through the city streets, attracting the attention of a stranger who offers a penny to her. But the woman eyes him boldly then rejects his offer, declaring that she is off to another world, where people play like clouds in the sky.
Overall, Cassandra Wilson's song "Woman on the Edge" is a celebration of a woman who is self-aware, adventurous, and determined. She is an ambassador of hope and resilience, exhibiting what it truly means to be free and happy.
Line by Line Meaning
She walks along the city streets as if no would dare
She walks with confidence and fearlessness, as if daring anyone to question or doubt her.
Follow the path that she has chosen to take her anywhere
She is determined to follow her own chosen path, regardless of where it may lead her.
She walks beneath the city lights, no other way
She is unapologetically drawn to the allure of the city, and refuses to live any other way.
Until she captures every eye and makes the pavement sway
Her aura is so magnetic that even the streets seem to come alive when she passes by.
Woman on the edge, something to behold
She is a remarkable woman, full of life and vitality, who is truly worth experiencing.
Her happiness is simple and clear
She finds joy in the simplicity of life, and is content with what she has.
Like a spot of shade or a bottle of beer
The simple things in life bring her the most happiness, like finding shade on a sunny day or enjoying a cold beer.
Coolin' the day away
She takes life as it comes, enjoying the moments as they unfold and basking in the present.
She looks at the moon and laughs
She finds humor in the little things in life, and can even laugh with the moon.
Then away she goes
She does not linger in any one place for too long, always moving forward and exploring new things.
Until a stranger passes by that she might want to know
She is open to meeting new people, and is always on the lookout for someone who might interest her.
He's got a penny in his pocket he wants to give away
The stranger is offering her a small token of kindness, but it is not something she needs or wants.
She looks at him dead in the eye, spits on the street and says
She rejects his offer, not because she is ungrateful, but because she is self-sufficient and does not need handouts.
"Ho, I don't need your money, I don't need your time
She asserts her independence and self-reliance, making it clear that she does not require anyone else's resources or attention.
I'm on my way to another world
She is on a journey through life that is uniquely her own, and has no room for anyone else's expectations or demands.
Where the people play like clouds in the sky,"
She envisions a world full of freedom, spontaneity, and joy, where people are as carefree and unpredictable as clouds.
Clouds in the sky, clouds in the sky
She repeats this phrase as a reminder of the world she imagines, and the hope and possibility it holds.
Why don't you stop and ask her
The singer urges the listener to take notice of this remarkable woman, and to engage with her on a deeper level.
How she feels about the life she's living?
The singer encourages the listener to engage in meaningful conversation with the woman, to truly understand her perspective and the life she has chosen to live.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CASSANDRA WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Susan HooKong-Taylor
Amazing album! great to hear it again thanks so much!
Carol Anande
Love you woman, your music is GOLDEN
der muck
And at the latest with "Dancing in Dreamtime" I have tears in my eyes ...
This is one of the best albums - I swear! - I was ever allowed to hear.
& it sends me out into a world,
which I just want to embrace and feel filled with love.
Gergely Vince Szalai
(Released: 1990)
Woman On The Edge 4:59
Domination Switch 6:16
Phase Jump 1:37
Lies 3:44
Grand System Masters 4:34
Jump World 4:36
Love Phases Dimensions 5:24
Whirlwind Soldier 4:48
Warm Spot 6:21
Dancing In Dream Time 3:49
Rock This Calling 3:38
{Source: discogs.com}
Panza Santo
Yeaaaahh !!! best album of all times !!!! TY SO MUCH !!!
uncas1111
Thank you!!
Ricky Quinn
Thank you!!!!
Steve Antony
Oh wow if you knew how long i’ve been looking for this and you’ve uploaded the whole album can’t thank you enough 🔥🔥👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👊🏿👊🏿👊🏿 This album just sheer class ....