Born and raised near Seattle, Washington, Bentyne was exposed to music at a very early age. Her father, a jazz clarinetist and bandleader, held his band's rehearsals at the family's home. It wasn't long before Bentyne was singing in her dad's band. After high school, she performed in Seattle area coffee houses where she met and joined a regional group called The New Deal Rhythm Band. The band combined campy comedy numbers with improvisation and "theatrical" swing. The New Deal served as a training ground for Bentyne to sharpen her performance technique and develop her own distinct style.
While on tour with the group, Bentyne caught the attention of a talent agent who assured her that her singing ability could support a solo career and encouraged her to assemble material for her own show. Within a few months she moved to Los Angeles and was booked regularly at such legendary clubs as the Troubadour and the Bla-Bla Cafe.
In the spring of 1979, Bentyne's manager told her about an audition that was to change her life. The Manhattan Transfer was searching for a new singer to replace former member Laurel Massé. What they were looking for seemed like an impossible combination at the time - a soprano who was gifted and agile enough to immediately blend with the group's unique four-part harmony sound, yet who also possessed a strong individual musical personality which would contribute to the group's evolution. But Bentyne accomplished the impossible: she landed the job and made a vocal contribution that was immediate and decisive. The Manhattan Transfer won its first Grammy for "Birdland", a track from the 1979 album, Extensions (Best Jazz Fusion Performance). Since then, the foursome have scored ten more Grammys - so far.
Bentyne has sung some of the most memorable solos in the Transfer's repertoire: "Goodbye Love", Benny Goodman's solo on "Down South" (both on the 1983 release, Bodies and Souls), and "Meet Benny Bailey" (on their landmark 1985 recording, Vocalese). She won a Grammy (which she shares with Bobby McFerrin) for her arrangement of "Another Night In Tunisia" (also on Vocalese). Her hot performance in the video and single release "So You Say" (from Brasil, 1987) helped broaden the Transfer's audience via frequent appearances on BET. She also wrote and co-wrote tracks for the Transfer's 1992 release, The Offbeat of Avenues, including the Grammy-winning "Sassy".
But Bentyne has maintained a solid solo career aside from her work with the world-famous vocal quartet. In 1988, she appeared on bassist Rob Wasserman's highly acclaimed Duets album. Four years later, she released her solo debut album, Something Cool, a tribute to June Christy and other jazz singers of the 1950s.
Beyond the recording studio and performance stage, Bentyne has also dabbled in recording for motion pictures. She appears on the soundtrack to the 1990 film Dick Tracy, on "Back in Business", a song she performed with Lorraine Feather and fellow Transfer member Janis Siegel. She also collaborated with trumpeter/composer Mark Isham in the soundtrack to the 1991 Alan Rudolph film, Mortal Thoughts. In 2000, she recorded and released an original cast album of her new musical revue based the music and wit of Cole Porter. Dreaming Of Mister Porter has played to sold-out audiences and received rave reviews in Boston and Seattle.
Bentyne has released four solo albums for King Records in Japan: Talk Of The Town (2002), Moonlight Serenade (2003), The Lights Still Burn (2003), and Waltz for Debby (2004). She has had numerous solo engagements in the Japanese club scene and enjoys a large following of fans in Japan.
Bentyne joined the Telarc label for the January 2004 U.S. re-release of Talk of the Town. The album features a number of standards from the Great American Songbook, plus a few lesser-known - but no less engaging - ballads that Bentyne makes her own. In addition to her sexy, compelling vocals, Talk of the Town features some of the finest players on today's jazz scene, including pianist Kenny Barron, saxophonist David "Fathead" Newman, flugelhornist Chuck Mangione, percussionist Don Alias, and drummer Lewis Nash.
Bentyne's second Telarc outing was released in April 2005, Let Me Off Uptown, and is a tribute to legendary songstress Anita O'Day. She followed this with her third recording for Telarc, The Book of Love in October 2006.
Official website: www.cherylbentyne.net
Both Sides Now
Cheryl Bentyne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And feathered canyons everywhere,
I've looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun they rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done,
but clouds got in my way
I've looked at clouds from both sides now
It's cloud's illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all
Moons and Junes and ferris wheels
the dizzy dancing way you feel
When every fairy tale comes real,
I've looked at love that way
But now it's just another show,
you leave 'em laughin when you go
And if you care don't let them know,
don't give yourself away
I've looked at love from both sides now
From give and take and still somehow
It's love's illusions I recall
I really don't know love at all
Tears and fears and feeling proud,
to say, "I love you" right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds,
I've looked at life that way
But now old friends are acting strange
they shake their heads,
they say I've changed
But something's lost but something's gained in living every day
I've looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all
I really don't know life at all
In the song "Both Sides Now," Cheryl Bentyne describes her experiences looking at the world, love, and life from different perspectives. The first verse focuses on how her perception of clouds has changed over time. She used to see them as beautiful and magical, but now they seem to just get in the way and block the sun. This could be a metaphor for how our childhood innocence and wonder can be lost as we grow older and face challenges in life.
The chorus emphasizes the idea of seeing things from both sides - from up and down, and give and take. Bentyne recognizes that her understanding of things like clouds, love, and life is not complete; there are always multiple perspectives to consider. The second verse talks about how she used to see love as a fairytale come to life, but now it seems like just another performance. She urges the listener not to give too much of themselves away in relationships. The final verse touches on the complexity of life, with its ups and downs, dreams and schemes, and unpredictable changes. Bentyne acknowledges that she has both gained and lost something in living every day, but she doesn't claim to fully understand the nature of life itself.
Overall, "Both Sides Now" is a contemplative and introspective song about the ways in which our perceptions and experiences shape our understanding of the world around us. It encourages the listener to consider multiple perspectives and keep an open mind.
Line by Line Meaning
Bows and flows of angel hair and ice cream castles in the air
I used to look at the world with eyes full of wonder and enchantment, like seeing delicate threads of hair and dreamlike castles made of ice cream.
And feathered canyons everywhere
I could see beauty and intricacy in everything around me, even in the starkness of canyon walls.
I've looked at clouds that way
I used to view clouds as a source of inspiration and imagination.
But now they only block the sun they rain and snow on everyone
However, now clouds seem more like obstacles, blocking the light and bringing gloom instead of inspiration.
So many things I would have done, but clouds got in my way
I recognize that my view of clouds has hindered my ability to pursue many opportunities and dreams.
I've looked at clouds from both sides now
I have experienced clouds both as a source of wonder and as an obstacle to my endeavors.
From up and down and still somehow
Regardless of my perspective or position in life, clouds seem to have the ability to impact my experiences.
It's cloud's illusions I recall
I realize that my previous view of clouds as magical and inspiring were illusions that I conjured up in my mind.
I really don't know clouds at all
I now recognize that my understanding of clouds was limited, and I have much more to learn and experience about the world around me.
Moons and Junes and ferris wheels / the dizzy dancing way you feel / When every fairy tale comes real
I used to be captivated by the magic of love, feeling joyfully swept up in the emotions and fairy tale-like experiences that came with it.
I've looked at love that way
I held onto this view of love for a long time.
But now it's just another show
However, now love seems less like magic and more like something that is performed or showcased publicly.
you leave 'em laughin when you go
People seem to laugh at the idea or expression of love, seeing it as something quaint or old-fashioned.
And if you care don't let them know, don't give yourself away
As a result, I am more guarded about expressing my feelings and revealing my vulnerability to others.
I've looked at love from both sides now
I have experienced love both as something magical and something that is performative or scorned.
From give and take and still somehow
Regardless of how I approach love, there seems to be an element of exchange or transactionalism involved.
It's love's illusions I recall
I now realize that my idealized view of love was just an illusion.
I really don't know love at all
I have come to recognize how little I truly understand about love and relationships.
Tears and fears and feeling proud, to say 'I love you' right out loud
I used to experience a range of emotions, from vulnerability to pride, when expressing my feelings to others.
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds, I've looked at life that way
I used to look at life as an adventure, full of dreams to pursue and schemes to make them happen.
But now old friends are acting strange they shake their heads, they say I've changed
However, as I have grown and changed, I find that my old friends no longer understand me and see me as different or strange.
But something's lost but something's gained in living every day
Despite this, I have come to realize that every day is an opportunity for growth and change, and that although some things may be lost along the way, there is always something to be gained as well.
I've looked at life from both sides now
I have experienced the highs and lows of life, the gains and losses that come with living.
From win and lose and still somehow
Regardless of whether I am succeeding or failing, life is full of experiences that shape who I am.
It's life's illusions I recall
I now recognize that my previous understanding of life was based more on illusions than reality.
I really don't know life at all
I am still learning and growing, and there is still so much I do not understand about life and the world.
Contributed by Madison D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.