He started his career by playing together with Chico Hamilton and Cannonball Adderley.
In the latter half of the 1960s, his own quartet with Keith Jarrett, Cecil McBee and Jack DeJohnette was one of the most popular jazz bands of the time. Their album Forest Flower is one of the best-selling jazz albums ever.
In the 1970s Lloyd was mostly retired from music, but came back in the 1980s after being persuaded doing so by French pianist Michel Petrucciani. His playing style on the tenor is close to that of John Coltrane, though perhaps slightly more lyrical and melodic. His recent albums are all published on the ECM Records label.
You Are So Beautiful
Charles Lloyd Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't think of anything I need
No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound
Nothing to eat, no books to read
Making love with you
Has left me peaceful warm and tired
What more could I ask
There's nothing left to be desired
Sleep, silent angel go to sleep
Sometimes all I need
Is the air that I breathe
And to love you
Sometimes all I need
Is the air that I breathe
And to love you
Sometimes all I need
Is the air that I breathe
And to love you
Charles Lloyd's song "You Are So Beautiful" is a powerful love ballad that speaks to the depths of a person's heart. The beginning of the song, where Lloyd sings, "If I could make a wish I think I'd pass, can't think of anything I need," is a profound statement about the power of love. It implies that love is the only thing someone really needs in life. The song's narrator is essentially saying that everything else in the world pales in comparison to the feeling of being in love with their partner. The lines "no cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound, nothing to eat, no books to read," further affirm this belief. These lines indicate that the singer would be perfectly happy even without the basic necessities of life as long as he has his partner by his side.
The chorus of the song, "Sometimes all I need is the air that I breathe and to love you," is a simple yet powerful statement. It acknowledges that love is fundamental to human existence and that it is quite possible to survive with very little else as long as there is love. The idea that sometimes all we need is love and air to breathe is a sentiment that has been expressed in many songs over the years, but Lloyd's interpretation of it is particularly moving. Overall, "You Are So Beautiful" is a beautifully written song that captures the essence of true love.
Line by Line Meaning
If I could make a wish I think I'd pass
I am content and satisfied with my life. I don't feel the need to wish for anything.
Can't think of anything I need
There is nothing that I lack or desire.
No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound
I don't need any of these things to feel complete or happy in life.
Nothing to eat, no books to read
Even without food or reading materials, I am at peace and content.
Making love with you
Being intimate with you is an important part of my happiness and contentment.
Has left me peaceful warm and tired
Being with you brings me a sense of calm, warmth and a pleasant tiredness.
What more could I ask
I have everything I need through my love and relationship with you that I couldn't ask for anything more.
There's nothing left to be desired
I have all that I need in life and I don't desire anything more.
Peace came upon me and it leaves me weak
The sense of peace and contentment in my life can be overwhelming, leaving me weak in its wake.
Sleep, silent angel go to sleep
As I am content and peaceful, I find myself able to sleep well and deeply.
Sometimes all I need
There are times when I realize that I don't actually need much to be happy and content.
Is the air that I breathe
Breathing is essential to life and to my overall well-being.
And to love you
The love I have for you is paramount to my overall happiness and sense of fulfillment.
Sometimes all I need
There are times when I realize that I don't actually need much to be happy and content.
Is the air that I breathe
Breathing is essential to life and to my overall well-being.
And to love you
The love I have for you is paramount to my overall happiness and sense of fulfillment.
Sometimes all I need
There are times when I realize that I don't actually need much to be happy and content.
Is the air that I breathe
Breathing is essential to life and to my overall well-being.
And to love you
The love I have for you is paramount to my overall happiness and sense of fulfillment.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BILLY PRESTON, BRUCE FISHER, BRUCE CARLETON FISHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind