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.
May Be Wrong
Charlie Parker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I may be wrong but I think you're swell
I like your style say, I think it's marvelous
I'm always wrong so how can I tell
Deuces to me are all aces
Life is to me just a bore
Faces are all open spaces
You came along say I think you're wonderful
I think you're grand but I may be wrong
I may be wrong but I think you're wonderful
I may be wrong but I think you're swell
I like your style say, I really think it's marvelous
I'm always wrong so how can I tell
Deuces to me are all aces
Life is to me just a bore
Faces are all open spaces
You might be John Barrymore
You came along say I think you're wonderful
I think you're grand but I may be wrong
You said that Edison would never make that light
You laughed at Mr. Franklin with his key and kite
The point of the song is I'm always wrong
But with you baby I'm oh so right.
The lyrics to Charlie Parker's "I May Be Wrong" express a sense of uncertainty and self-deprecation, as the singer acknowledges their own fallibility while also expressing admiration for someone else. The song begins with an admission that the singer could be mistaken, but they nonetheless believe the object of their affection is "wonderful" and "swell." Despite this praise, the singer continues to doubt their own judgment, acknowledging that they are "always wrong" and thus unable to determine the true worth of their beloved.
The lyrics make use of several clever wordplay and rhyming techniques. For example, the first and second lines of each stanza employ a similar structure, with the singer prefacing their compliment with an admission of their own possible error. The repeated use of words like "aces" and "spaces" also adds a playful rhythm to the song, while the reference to John Barrymore (a popular actor of the time) lends a touch of sophistication and cultural awareness.
In the final verse, the lyrics take a more optimistic turn as the singer describes previous failures and dismissals of those who were later seen as innovative geniuses. The mention of "Mr. Franklin with his key and kite" alludes to Benjamin Franklin's famous experiment with electricity, while the reference to Edison's lightbulb highlights the singer's earlier skepticism about the potential of new inventions. However, the final line suggests that with their current love interest, the singer is finally "oh so right," implying a newfound confidence in their judgment.
Line by Line Meaning
I may be wrong but I think you're wonderful
Although I may not always be correct, I believe that you are truly amazing.
I may be wrong but I think you're swell
I might not always have the right opinion, but I believe that you are fantastic.
I like your style say, I think it's marvelous
Your sense of fashion is superb, and I find it truly wonderful.
I'm always wrong so how can I tell
I tend to make mistakes, so it's difficult for me to discern what's right or wrong.
Deuces to me are all aces
The things that I believe are insignificant and meaningless.
Life is to me just a bore
I find life to be dull and monotonous.
Faces are all open spaces
People's emotions and thoughts are always visible to me; they don't hide anything.
You might be John Barrymore
I see you as a legendary figure like John Barrymore.
You came along say I think you're wonderful
Since I met you, I began to think that you are marvelous.
I think you're grand but I may be wrong
I believe you are magnificent, but my belief could be misinformed.
You said that Edison would never make that light
You predicted that Edison would fail to invent the light bulb.
You laughed at Mr. Franklin with his key and kite
You found it humorous that Mr. Franklin experimented with electricity using a kite and key.
The point of the song is I'm always wrong
The song aims to convey the message that I tend to make mistakes frequently.
But with you baby I'm oh so right.
However, concerning you, my intuition is accurate, and I'm confident that I'm correct about you.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RUSKIN HARRY, HENRY SULLIVAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@derycktrahair8108
That's why Lover Man is his best recording. He was too ill on that date for fast Bebop . He didn't like that track but it shows us his Musicianship was more than fast fingers. Thanks for reminding us.
@marike1100
I don’t know any sax player or student of jazz who thinks that Bird was all showy fast technique though or missed the KC blues aspect of his style. But yeah ok.
@ZENSIBLE
Kiko explicando Jazz 🎺
@zqa12swx
For Bird blues, study Another Hair-Do, all the alternate takes. Also, Bird on the bridge of rhythm changes isnt talked about enough. Bird on Perdido; Massey Hall, Birdland , Boston Symphony Ballroom etc
@kitosiqueira4815
There is also a cool blues lick that Wayne Shorter and Chris Potter always quote.
@Duane-tl2zc
Blues is the base and emotion!
@jamesdarylthomas3684
Is there any way I can get that book in a hard copy not on download? thanks
@rpj-sax4lyfe
Parker studied everything…….he learned it all and appreciated it all.
We must remembering just because we study something doesn’t necessarily mean we play it in every song. And just because we dont play it doesn’t mean we haven’t studied it and know it.
@rossfinazzo
Third lick is all over the place
@JazzDuets
you can never look at the absence of something and feel good.
you cannot look at lack and be in alignment with who you truly are.
Trust me you will live a happier life