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.
Tiger Rag
Charlie Parker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where's that tiger! Where's that tiger!
Hold that tiger! Hold that tiger ! Hold that tiger!
Choke him, poke him, kick him and soak him!
Where's that tiger? Where's that tiger?
Where oh where can he be?
Low or highbrow, they all cry now
"Please play that Tiger Rag for me"
Where's that tiger! Where's that tiger!
Where's that tiger! Where's that tiger!
Hold that tiger! Hold that tiger ! Hold that tiger!
Choke him, poke him, kick him and soak him!
Where's that tiger? Where's that tiger?
Where oh where can he be?
Low or highbrow, they all cry now
"Please play that Tiger Rag for me"
The lyrics of Charlie Parker's "Tiger Rag" are rather simple, but they convey a sense of energy and excitement that characterizes the song's joyful, upbeat tone. The repeated refrain of "Where's that tiger!" creates a sense of anticipation and wonder, as if the listener is eagerly searching for something elusive and mysterious. The call-and-response structure of the song, with the singer and the musicians interacting and building off of each other, also contributes to this sense of collective enthusiasm.
The lyrics also include a series of playful commands, such as "Choke him, poke him, kick him and soak him!" that add to the sense of whimsy and exuberance. The final line, "Low or highbrow, they all cry now 'Please play that Tiger Rag for me'", emphasizes the universality of the song's appeal, regardless of one's background or social status. Overall, the lyrics of "Tiger Rag" convey a sense of playful abandon and communal celebration that is still felt by jazz enthusiasts today.
Line by Line Meaning
Where's that tiger! Where's that tiger!
Where is the energy and excitement in this music? It is missing and needs to be found!
Hold that tiger! Hold that tiger ! Hold that tiger!
Capture the spirit and energy of the music, don't let it slip away!
Choke him, poke him, kick him and soak him!
Put everything you have into playing this music, leave nothing on the table!
Where's that tiger? Where's that tiger?
The music needs to be lively and dynamic, not tame and boring!
Where oh where can he be?
What happened to the excitement that was supposed to be in this music? How can we bring it back?
Low or highbrow, they all cry now
People from all walks of life want to hear lively, exciting music. It transcends social class and is universally appealing.
"Please play that Tiger Rag for me"
This song is so popular and exciting, people can't get enough of it - they want to hear it over and over again!
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Antonio Sbarro, Edwin Edwards, Henry Ragas, Larry Shields, Sidney Bechet
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind