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.
Get Happy
Charlie Parker Lyrics
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Ya better chase all your cares away
Sing Hallelujah, come on get happy
Get ready for the judgment day
The sun is shining, come on get happy
The Lord is waiting to take your hand
Shout Hallelujah, come on get happy
We're going to the Promised Land
We're heading 'cross the river
Gonna wash our sins in the tide
It's all so peaceful
On the other side
Forget your troubles and just get happy
Ya better chase all your cares away
Sing Hallelujah, c'mon get happy
Get ready for the judgment day
The sun is shining, come on get happy
The Lord is waiting to take your hand
Shout Hallelujah, come on get happy
We're going to the Promised Land
We're heading 'cross the river
Wash our sins away in the tide
It's all so peaceful
On the other side
We're heading 'cross the river
Wash our sins away in the tide
It's all so peaceful
On the other side
Forget your troubles and just get happy
Ya better chase your cares away!
Sing Hallelujah, come on get happy
Get ready for the judgment day
"Get Happy" is a song about chasing away one's troubles and finding happiness. The lyrics suggest that the way to achieve this is through spiritual means, specifically by singing Hallelujah, preparing for the judgment day, and washing away sins in the tide. The imagery of crossing the river and reaching the other side, although vague, likely alludes to the concept of crossing over into the afterlife. The message of the song seems to be that by letting go of one's cares and embracing hope and faith, one can attain a sense of peace and happiness.
The upbeat tempo and optimistic lyrics of "Get Happy" are characteristic of the swing music genre, which was popular in the 1930s and 1940s. The song was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler, and was first performed in 1930 in the musical "The Nine-Fifteen Revue." In addition to Charlie Parker's version, the song has been covered by many other artists, including Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald. The song's popularity has endured, with it being used in various movies and TV shows over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
Pack up your troubles and just get happy
Don't let your worries bring you down, focus on being happy
Ya better chase all your cares away
Take action to eliminate your worries
Sing Hallelujah, come on get happy
Express your joy and praise, be happy
Get ready for the judgment day
Be prepared for the consequences of your actions
The sun is shining, come on get happy
Take advantage of the good things in life and be happy
The Lord is waiting to take your hand
Have faith and trust in a higher power
Shout Hallelujah, come on get happy
Embrace your joy and express your gratitude
We're going to the Promised Land
Believe in a better future and have hope
We're heading 'cross the river
We are moving forward towards a new phase in life
Gonna wash our sins in the tide
Letting go of past mistakes and seeking forgiveness
It's all so peaceful
Achieving a state of tranquility and calmness
Forget your troubles and just get happy
Don't hold onto your worries, focus on being happy
Ya better chase your cares away!
Take action to eliminate your worries and stresses
Get ready for the judgment day
Prepare yourself for the consequences of your choices and actions
Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, MUSIC.INFO FINLAND OY, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind