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.
This Is Always
Charlie Parker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This isn't maybe, this is always.
This is love,
The real beginning of forever,
This isn't just mid summer madness,
A passing glow, a moment's gladness,
Yes it's love.
I knew it on the night we met,
So how can I forget you.
With every kiss I know that
This is always.
Yes it's love.
I knew it on the night we met,
You tied a string around my heart,
So how can I forget you.
With every kiss I know that
This is always.
The lyrics of Charlie Parker's song "This is Always" express a deep and unwavering love. The opening lines state, "This isn't sometimes, this is always. This isn't maybe, this is always." This repetition creates a sense of certainty and permanence, which is further emphasized by the lyrics "This is love, the real beginning of forever." The singer is expressing a love that is not fleeting or temporary, but rather a love that will last forever.
The lyrics also acknowledge the possibility of transitory emotions, but the love between the singer and their beloved is not one of them. The line "This isn't just mid-summer madness" suggests that the love is not simply a passing infatuation or summer fling. Similarly, "a moment's gladness" emphasizes that the love is not just a fleeting moment of happiness.
The lyrics continue with the singer looking back on the night they met, recognizing that their beloved has had a profound impact on them. "You tied a string around my heart, so how can I forget you?" This metaphorical string represents the connection between the two people and the singer's inability to let go of their love.
The song ends with the lyrics "With every kiss I know that this is always. Yes, it's love." This reinforces the idea that the love between the singer and their beloved is unwavering and unchanging. Overall, the lyrics of "This is Always" express a love that is deep, true, and enduring.
Line by Line Meaning
This isn't sometimes, this is always.
Love is not fleeting, it is a constant in life.
This isn't maybe, this is always.
There is no uncertainty in love, it is a sure thing.
This is love,
The feeling of profound affection and devotion.
The real beginning of forever,
Love marks the start of a long-lasting journey.
This isn't just mid summer madness,
Love is not a temporary infatuation or fleeting passion.
A passing glow, a moment's gladness,
Love is not a brief, fleeting emotion that fades quickly.
Yes it's love.
It is indeed the feeling of love being experienced.
I knew it on the night we met,
The moment when love was first discovered or realized.
You tied a string around my heart,
Love has captured the artist's heart and emotions.
So how can I forget you.
It is impossible for the artist to forget the love.
With every kiss I know that This is always.
Each kiss serves as a reminder of the perpetuity of love.
Yes it's love.
It is indeed the feeling of love being experienced.
I knew it on the night we met,
The moment when love was first discovered or realized.
You tied a string around my heart,
Love has captured the singer's heart and emotions.
So how can I forget you.
It is impossible for the singer to forget the love.
With every kiss I know that This is always.
Each kiss serves as a reminder of the perpetuity of love.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HARRY WARREN, MACK GORDON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
vova47
Thank you for sharing this classic recording all musicians should know!
SELMER B.Action
I am so sad that Bird and Erroll did not record many more records together !!!! They were both so well interracted !!
Aaron Fowlkes
Sitting in snowy New Hampshire and thought I'd play some Bird jams---This is "the bomb" !! Earl Coleman's vocal is as mellow as you can get
Aaron Fowlkes
So much creativity in this world. (Those who deny the influence or existence of the Creator are in manifest loss.)
But there is just something unique about the Jazz genre. The 40's to the 60's---a 20 year period of out-of this world music has left its indelible mark on those of us who first encountered it growing up in the 50's and 60's. I have my dad to thank for turning me on to this art form.
Steve F
Was thinking of this track and then watching ‘the green grass of Wyoming’ and there they were dancing to it. What are the chances? I first heard it back in 76, legendary hot summer in England. Beautiful.
lestat
I'm here for the rare 40s jazz sounds, the singing is quality is aswell, shame this music will never be the same
Jeffrey Craven
The music lives in my house. Bird, Erroll, Dizz, Chud, Lee Morgan, Art Blakey, and so many others live when we put a CD or record on.
Jeffrey Craven
When I sing, usually to my dog, and if romantic to my female partner of 23 years, plus my dog likes the tune. I try to sound like Earl Coleman because our voices are similar. Anyway this recording feels and sounds like it's titled...this IS Love. Sing to your dog folks, you'll see affection in their eyes or them trying to break thru a storm door to escape. RIP Bird, Erroll, and Earl Coleman.
MJ
I was saying this type of bebop was good, and that the new kids are playing out of their asses.
TheHighTower
Mike A
Well this IS Bebop. Modern jazz still developing. Hard Bop in the 50s was what really became popular not only in the US but at the time, around the world.