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.
Tea For Two
Charlie Parker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just tea for two
And two for tea
Just me for you
And you for me alone
Nobody near us to see us or hear us
No friends or relations
We won't have it known, dear
That we own a telephone, dear
Day will break and you'll awake
And start to bake a sugar cake
For me to take for all the boys to see
We will raise a family
A boy for you, a girl for me
Oh, can't you see how happy we would be
The lyrics of Tea for Two by Charlie Parker paint a picture of a couple lost in their own love and imagination. The first verse begins with the singer envisioning their loved one sitting on their knee, enjoying a cup of tea. The second line, "Just tea for two and two for tea," emphasizes the simplicity and intimacy of their relationship. The third line, "Just me for you and you for me alone," further reiterates their exclusive bond. The second verse talks about how the couple prefers to keep their love a secret and away from prying eyes. The line "We won't have it known, dear, That we own a telephone, dear" emphasizes their desire for privacy and seclusion.
The second half of the song reveals the couple's grander plans for the future they see together. The line "Day will break and you'll awake and start to bake a sugar cake for me to take for all the boys to see" speaks to the singer's anticipation and pride in showing off their love to the world. The last few lines about starting a family emphasize the longevity and depth of their love, suggesting that they plan to build a life together.
Overall, Charlie Parker's Tea for Two is a love song that emphasizes the intimacy, privacy, and long-term dreams of a couple who are lost in their own love.
Line by Line Meaning
Picture you upon my knee
I envision you sitting with me, close and intimate
Just tea for two
It's just us two together, enjoying a warm comforting beverage
And two for tea
There's enough for both of us to indulge in the warmth of the tea
Just me for you
I am dedicating my time solely to you, with all my attention and affection
And you for me alone
I am asking for your undivided love and devotion, wishing it to be reciprocated
Nobody near us to see us or hear us
No one is around to witness or overhear our private moment of being together
No friends or relations
There's no one we know who would stumble upon or interrupt our quiet time
On weekend vacations
We can escape from our busy lives on weekends and enjoy each other's company without any stress
We won't have it known, dear
We will keep our relationship a secret from others, my beloved
That we own a telephone, dear
We don't want anyone to know about the new communication device we possess, my beloved
Day will break and you'll awake
As time progresses you will wake up and start a new day
And start to bake a sugar cake
You will start to bake something sweet and enticing for us to share
For me to take for all the boys to see
I'll take it to my friends and show them all the wonderful things we can share
We will raise a family
We will have a family together and watch them grow and thrive
A boy for you, a girl for me
We will have one of each, to share love and devotion between them all
Oh, can't you see how happy we would be
Can you see how happy we can be in this love-filled life we'll share?
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IRVING CAESAR, VINCENT YOUMANS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind