Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Gant worked local clubs through the mid 1930's up until the Second World War, when he enlisted in the US Army. Though his piano was blues-based, vocally he was a crooner of considerable cross-over appeal.
I WONDER
Cecil Grant Lyrics
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Where can you be again tonight?
While the moon is shining bright
I wonder, my heart is aching
Why for you can our love be mistaken?
Darling, don't you say that this must mean our ending
I wonder
Baby, I've been through, I've been through lovers lane
I've been traveling for miles around
Trying to find the one I love
Come on
I wonder, well, well, well, little baby
Will you think of me every day?
Though I may be a million miles away
I wonder
I wonder, well, well, well, little baby
Will you think of me every day?
Though I may be a million miles away
I wonder
In Cecil Grant's "I Wonder," the singer is pining for his lover who is absent at night. The moon is shining bright, and his heart is aching. He wonders why their love is mistaken and questions if their time together must end. Despite his past experiences with love and traveling miles around, he still wonders if his little baby will think of him every day, even if they are a million miles away.
The lyrics suggest a feeling of loneliness and longing for someone who is not present. The repetition of the phrase "I wonder" emphasizes the singer's uncertainty and contemplation about the state of their relationship. The use of the moon as imagery creates a sense of romanticism and lends to the feeling of melancholy in the song. The lyrics also suggest an underlying fear of abandonment and a desire for reassurance from the lover.
Line by Line Meaning
My little darling
Addressing a loved one with affection
Where can you be again tonight?
Asking where the loved one is spending their night
While the moon is shining bright
Noticing the moon and the night's beauty
I wonder, my heart is aching
Feeling emotional pain and uncertainty about the loved one's whereabouts or feelings
Why for you can our love be mistaken?
Questioning why there could be any confusion or doubt about their love
Darling, don't you say that this must mean our ending
Expressing hope that any current issues don't signify the end of their relationship
I wonder
Expressing continued uncertainty and curiosity
Baby, I've been through, I've been through lovers lane
Sharing personal experience with love and relationships
I've been making life just the same
Living life in a familiar way
I've been traveling for miles around
Traveling to search for love and the right person
Trying to find the one I love
Searching for a specific person who is loved
Come on
Encouraging the loved one to respond or act
I wonder, well, well, well, little baby
Repeating feelings of uncertainty and curiosity toward the loved one
Will you think of me every day?
Asking if the loved one will keep thoughts of them close
Though I may be a million miles away
Acknowledging physical distance from the loved one
I wonder
Reiterating continued uncertainty and curiosity
Writer(s): Raymond Leveen, Cecil Gant
Contributed by Ryan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@88BlueKeys4U
I am glad to see that people today still remember his real name, not 'Cecil Grant', as misspelled by all these 'modern' streaming services like the notorious AppleMusic. They even fabricated a fake record cover with his face and 'Cecil Grant - Greatest Piano Blues Boogie'.
When watching the horrible movie 'Joy Ride' (2001) I noticed that they used the Brenda Lee cover version of 'I wonder' and credited it to a 'Cecil Grant' - jeez. Have some respect for these great composers and performers!
I love this arrangement for a variety of reasons: beautifully set key changes, wonderful minor chords motions in the B section. I hear similarities to Blind John Davis on the left, who may have been inspired by the Gant compositions. And I wish that James C. Booker would have worked on this song, as he had successfully on 'True' by Paul Gayten. There is so much potential in these classic blues ballads, due to their more complex arrangement, in contrast to the rigid 8 or 12 bar structures of basic Blues.
Great tune, great pianist and singer!
@russellcandy9850
What a fantastic recording!! Never heard this song before. The Private does a wonderful job!! This song is a keeper!! Thank you!!!
@brianpope637
To the person who disliked this - a serious re-examination of your life is in order methinks....
@russellcandy9850
I didn't see any dislikes. But you are so right!! How could anyone not like this record!!
@brianpope637
@@russellcandy9850 I see 52 likes and 1 dislike - the 1 dislike deserves my pity but only seems to garner my contempt:)
@russellcandy9850
Hey Brian, I didn't get the one dislike until today. It still amazes me that someone would dislike this recording. Some people 😫!! Take care Brian.
@tommy5449
Facts
@akhetcypresssage2580
Lets hope they got the help they needed!
@stephenbutler5512
First heard this on a Library of Congress compilation LP when I was at university 1980-3. Has stuck ever since. A charmer.
@ouijdaneelazhari6308
Dancing on the ceiling brought me here ♥