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.
Summertime
Charlie Parker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fish are jumping and the cotton is high
Your daddy's rich and your mama's good-looking
Hush, little baby don't you cry
Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry
No no no no
Don't cry, don't cry
One of these mornings you're gonna rise up singing
You spread your wings and take to the sky
But until that morning there is nothing can harm you
With your daddy and mommy standing by
They are standing by, I know, don't cry
Summertime, summertime, summertime
and the living is, living is easy
Fish are, I know the fish are jumping
and cotton is so high
Your daddy is so, so rich and your mama good-
She had to be good-looking
So hush, little baby, don't you cry
Don't you cry, no no, don't cry
No need to cry, don't cry, don't cry
Summertime, summertime
Charlie Parker's Summertime is a song that explores the peacefulness and freedom of summer. It describes how the fish are jumping and the cotton is high, and the living is easy. It celebrates the fact that during summer, people take a break from the pressures of the year and enjoy the simple things in life. The song suggests that summer is a time to relax and have fun.
The second stanza of the song talks about hope and the inevitable change that comes with time. The lyrics "One of these mornings you're gonna rise up singing, you spread your wings and take to the sky" suggest that the singer is encouraging someone to keep hope alive, despite the challenges they may be facing. The phrase "With your daddy and mommy standing by, they are standing by, I know, don't cry" is a reassuring message that encourages the listener to have faith in the support of their loved ones.
Overall, the song is a beautiful ode to summer and the hope for a better future. It encourages the listener to enjoy the present moment while being hopeful of the future.
Line by Line Meaning
It's summertime and the living is easy
The arrival of summer means life is simple and enjoyable.
Fish are jumping and the cotton is high
The abundance of fish and tall cotton crops show how fruitful the season is.
Your daddy's rich and your mama's good-looking
Growing up in a privileged household where your parents are wealthy and attractive is ideal.
Hush, little baby don't you cry
The singer tells the child not to worry or stress about anything.
Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry
The repetition of this line emphasizes that crying isn't necessary or helpful.
No no no no
The singer reinforces the message that crying isn't necessary.
One of these mornings you're gonna rise up singing
The singer is confident that the child will wake up one day feeling happy and inspired to sing.
You spread your wings and take to the sky
The child will metaphorically soar and reach their full potential.
But until that morning there is nothing can harm you
The singer wants the child to feel safe and protected because nothing bad can happen until that day comes.
With your daddy and mommy standing by
The child's parents will always be there to support, guide, and love them unconditionally.
They are standing by, I know, don't cry
The singer reiterates that the child's parents will always be there, and crying isn't necessary.
Summertime, summertime, summertime
The repetition of this word emphasizes the joy the singer feels about summer.
and the living is, living is easy
The singer repeats this phrase to reinforce how carefree and enjoyable summer is.
Fish are, I know the fish are jumping
The singer repeats this phrase to highlight the abundance and liveliness of the fish.
and cotton is so high
The cotton crops are tall and thriving, showing how fruitful the season is.
Your daddy is so, so rich and your mama good-
The singer repeats this phrase to emphasize the child's ideal upbringing.
She had to be good-looking
The child's mother is likely to be attractive because of the child's good genes.
So hush, little baby, don't you cry
The singer concludes the song by reminding the child to remain calm and happy.
Don't you cry, no no, don't cry
The singer repeats this phrase one last time to drive home the point that crying isn't necessary or helpful.
No need to cry, don't cry, don't cry
The final repetition of this phrase emphasizes the message that crying isn't necessary or helpful.
Lyrics © Too Lost LLC, TuneCore Inc., BMG Rights Management, O/B/O DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Sentric Music, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dorothy Heyward, Du Bose Heyward, George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dylandecker_music
Charlie Parker with Strings is such a beautiful album.
@АнатолийБудюкин-ж7м
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@toaster7884
@W 9797 well yeah, just about everything was then
@tomcat4841
Charlie Parker Alone would be even better.
@lejazz6938
Music Speaks Louder Than Words ❤ 🙏
@davidmiller4078
Totally agree Parker with strings one of the most beautiful and extraordinary recordings ever so far ? Great melodic tunes played by someone who had studied the forms and his instrement and brilliant arangements and masterful co musicians And i speak as a chicargo blues fan it really stands out ! Just think most contempory musicians serm intent on just playing scales super fast its shallow Parker never loses his blues feel or classical extrapolation s and warm tone and vibrato i love it i wasnt even born when he recorded it but its sublime wow ama zing
@PepsiTitantic
Oh my God...Bird LIVES! They just had a special on WUSF/NPR 90.5 FM. He was featured as the Jazz artist of the week. I have fallen in love with his music. What a genius! I wish I could have been there in person...I would have been captivated, elevated, and full of joy!
@andrewh1737
Hello
@timofeygolev
Genius! Happy 💯 birthday "Charlie Yardbird" Parker!
@ronaldmacpherson3345
Charlie Parker a troubled soul with unequaled talent