Two of the Quartets (one also known as The Quartet of Charlie Parker)
1947
Charlie Parker - Alto Sax
Erroll Garner - Piano
Red Callender - Bass
Harold "Doc" West - Drums
1952
Charlie Parker - Alto Sax
Dick Cary - Piano
Eddie Safranski - Bass
Don Lamond - Drums
The Song Is You
Charlie Parker Quartet Lyrics
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A beautiful theme of every
Dream I ever knew.
Down deep in my heart I hear it play.
I feel it start, then melt away.
I hear music when I touch your hand,
A beautiful melody
Down deep in my heart, I hear it say,
Is this the day?
I alone have heard this lovely strain,
I alone have heard this glad refrain:
Must it be forever inside of me,
Why can't I let it go,
Why can't I let you know,
Why can't I let you know the song
My heart would sing?
That beautiful rhapsody
Of love and youth and spring,
The music is sweet,
The words are true
The song is you.
The Song is You is a declaration of love, Charlie Parker intertwines lyrics with his playful horn playing. The opening line of "I hear music when I look at you" emphasizes the powerful and pure connection that exists between the two individuals. As the lyrics continue, Parker describes the melodies and the love that comes from the person he is with. The lyrics also express a sense of longing, an unrequited love that he keeps locked inside himself. Parker wishes he could express it, but he struggles to approach the person he feels so connected to.
The stanza that perhaps encapsulates this message the most is: “I alone have heard this lovely strain, I alone have heard this glad refrain: Must it be forever inside of me, Why can't I let it go, Why can't I let you know, Why can't I let you know the song My heart would sing?” This particular line showcases Parker’s internal struggle, the genuine and deep feelings he has for this person, and the conflict of desire and self-doubt that he experiences.
Facts about The Song Is You:
Interesting Facts
Note: This section uses generative AI, which can be inaccurate.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear music when I look at you,
The sight of you makes me hear a melodious tune.
A beautiful theme of every
It is a wonderful melody that encapsulates every dream I have ever dreamt of.
Dream I ever knew.
It is a tune so pure and flawless that it has always been a part of my imagination.
Down deep in my heart I hear it play.
The melody is so deeply embedded in my heart that I can hear it playing all the time.
I feel it start, then melt away.
It is a delicate tune that starts with a strong emotion but fades away quietly.
I hear music when I touch your hand,
Touching your hand makes me hear a sweet melody.
A beautiful melody
It is a flawless tune that touches the deepest corners of my soul.
From some enchanted land.
The tune seems to have originated from a mystical and magical land.
Down deep in my heart, I hear it say,
The tune speaks to me from the deepest depths of my heart.
Is this the day?
It asks me if this moment is the one when my dreams will turn into reality.
I alone have heard this lovely strain,
Only I have heard this exquisite melody.
I alone have heard this glad refrain:
The tune has a happy and positive tone that I have heard all by myself.
Must it be forever inside of me,
I wonder if this melody will always stay inside my heart.
Why can't I let it go,
I question why I cannot release this melody out into the world.
Why can't I let you know,
I wonder why I cannot share this tune with you.
Why can't I let you know the song
I question why I cannot reveal this melody to you.
My heart would sing?
My heart would sing this melody if only I could share it with you.
That beautiful rhapsody
The melody is a beautiful arrangement of music and lyrics.
Of love and youth and spring,
It is a tune that speaks of love, spring and youthfulness.
The music is sweet,
The melody is sugary and pleasant to the senses.
The words are true
The lyrics express genuine and honest feelings.
The song is you.
The melody speaks of no one else but you, dear.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jerome Kern, Oscar II Hammerstein
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind