Parker is commonly considered the greatest bebop jazz musician. In terms of influence and impact, his contribution to jazz was so great that Charles Mingus commented that if Bird were alive today, he would think he was living in a hall of mirrors. Bird's talent is compared almost without argument to such legendary musicians as Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, and his reputation and legend as one of the best saxophonists is such that some critics say he was unsurpassed.
A founding figure of bebop, Parker's innovative approach to melody, rhythm and harmony have exerted an incalculable influence on jazz.. Several of Parker's songs have become standards of the repertoire, and innumerable musicians have studied Parker's music and absorbed elements of his style.
Parker became an icon for the Beat generation, and was a pivotal figure in the evolving conception of the jazz musician as an uncompromising artist and intellectual, rather than just a popular entertainer. At various times, Parker fused jazz with other musical styles, from classical (seeking to study with Edgard Varese and Stefan Wolpe) to Latin music (recordings with Machito), blazing paths followed later by others.
Parker was known for often showing up to performances without an instrument and borrowing someone else's at the last moment. At more than one venue he played on a plastic Grafton saxophone; later, saxophonist Ornette Coleman used this brand of plastic sax in his early career. On one particular occasion before a concert in Toronto, Canada, he had sold his saxophone to buy drugs, and at the last minute, he, Dizzy Gillespie and other members of Charlie's entourage went running around Toronto trying to find a saxophone. After scouring all the downtown pawnshops open at the time, they were only able to find a Grafton, which Parker proceeded to use at the concert that night. This concert is documented on the album Jazz at Massey Hall. The album is considered one of the greatest live recordings in Jazz history.
Parker's battles with alcoholism and heroin addiction ranged from his teenage years until his death from pneumonia and a bleeding ulcer at thirty-four. The toll that the drug had taken on his relatively young body was quite profound - a doctor examining Parker's body estimated him to be around sixty years old.
During his lifetime, tribute was paid to Parker when a new nightclub in New York was named Birdland in his honour in 1949.Three years later, George Shearing wrote "Lullaby of Birdland", which was named for both Parker and the nightclub.
Other phenomena also occurred in the United States after the death of Parker, particularly the use of the term "Bird lives" in graffiti throughout New York hours after his death, and later as the title of a contemporary art piece of the same name, created by sculptor Robert Graham in 1999. Despite its widespread use, Ted Joans is usually credited with its inception.
Coquette
Charlie Parker Lyrics
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Little coquette, making fun of the one who loves you
Breaking hearts you are ruling
Little coquette, true hearts tenderly dreaming of you.
Someday you'll fall in love as I fell in love with you.
Maybe the one you love will just be fooling too.
And when you are alone with all your regrets,
You know, my little coquette, I love you.
Someday you'll fall in love as I fell in love with you.
Now, maybe the one you love will just be fooling too.
And when you are alone with all your regrets,
Now, you know, my little coquette, I love you.
The lyrics to Charlie Parker and Jay McShann's "Coquette" tell the story of one person's unrequited love for a coquettish woman who enjoys playing with the affections of men. The singer of the song implores the woman to stop her games and see the hurt she is causing, while also acknowledging that he too was fooled by her charms. The final lines reveal that despite everything, the singer still loves the coquette even as he knows he should move on.
The song's lyrics capture the bittersweet feeling of being in love with someone who doesn't feel the same way. The coquette is described as "breaking hearts" and "ruling" over those who love her, creating a sense of powerlessness in those who are drawn to her. The use of the word "little" to describe her adds a touch of condescension, as if the singer sees her as immature or not fully understanding the consequences of her actions.
Despite the sadness inherent in the lyrics, there is also an element of hopefulness. The singer suggests that the coquette may someday realize the error of her ways and experience the same kind of heartbreak that she has caused in others. And even though he knows he may be setting himself up for more pain, he still declares his love for her. In this way, "Coquette" is a complex exploration of the complexities of love and the power dynamics that can exist between people.
Line by Line Meaning
Hear me, why you keep fooling
Listen to me, why do you continue to deceive others?
Little coquette, making fun of the one who loves you
You are a flirt, mocking those who have genuine affection towards you.
Breaking hearts you are ruling
You are causing emotional pain to those who have given you their hearts and trust.
Little coquette, true hearts tenderly dreaming of you.
You are the object of affection for many, who dream of a loving relationship with you.
Someday you'll fall in love as I fell in love with you.
One day, you will experience the same feeling of love that I have for you.
Maybe the one you love will just be fooling too.
Perhaps the person you love will also be deceiving you, as you do to others.
And when you are alone with all your regrets,
In moments of solitude, when you reflect on your actions and their consequences,
You know, my little coquette, I love you.
You should know that despite everything, I still have affection for you.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN WALDO GREEN, GUS KAHN, CARMEN LOMBARDO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind