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.
Easy To Love )
Charlie Parker Lyrics
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In thinking such a thing could be
That you could ever care for me
I'm sure you hate to hear
That I adore you, dear
But grant me
Just the same
For love
You'd be so easy to love
So easy to idolize
All others above
So worth the yearning for
So swell to keep every home fire burning for
We'd be so grand at the game
So carefree together
That it does seem a shame
That you can't see
Your future with me
Cause you'd be oh, so easy to love
These lyrics convey a sense of unrequited love and the pain that comes with it. The singer is admitting to themselves that they are wasting their time by thinking that the object of their affection could ever care for them. They even go as far as to say that they are sure the other person hates hearing that they adore them. But despite knowing all of this, they can't help but wish that things were different. They believe that the other person would be so easy to love, and that they are worth every moment of yearning and all the effort it would take to keep the flames of their love burning.
The lyrics paint a picture of a love that is unattainable, but that feels like it could be perfect if only the other person could see it too. The singer dreams of a carefree life spent together, playing games and experiencing all the joys that come with love. But sadly, it seems that the object of their affection just can't see their future together. Despite this, the singer can't help but hold onto the hope that one day, things might change and they will be able to be together.
Line by Line Meaning
I know too well that I'm just wasting precious time
I am aware that my affections towards you are not going to lead anywhere and is just an unproductive use of time
In thinking such a thing could be
I understand that the possibility of reciprocation is unrealistic
That you could ever care for me
I understand that it is unlikely that you will ever have any feelings for me
I'm sure you hate to hear
I understand that you might not appreciate what I am about to express
That I adore you, dear
I want to express my love for you, dear
But grant me just the same
Despite the above, I would like to request that you listen to my thoughts
I'm not entirely to blame
I should not be the only one responsible for how I feel towards you
For love
It is a natural feeling that arises in me towards you
You'd be so easy to love
I think you would be a perfect match for me
So easy to idolize
You are an ideal person for me
All others above
You are above all others in my eyes
So worth the yearning for
My love for you is a worthy cause for yearning
So swell to keep every home fire burning for
You would be an amazing person to have as part of my life journey
We'd be so grand at the game
Together, we would make a fantastic couple/team
So carefree together
Together, we would be free from anxiety and worry
That it does seem a shame
It is a regretful situation
That you can't see your future with me
It is a pity that you cannot envision a future with me
Cause you'd be oh, so easy to love
You are someone I would love easily and naturally
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLE PORTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind