Chris joined the "Snowflakes", a vocal group of Claude Thornhill's band, and moved on to become Stan Kenton's lead singer. She recorded for Bethlehem records originally and then began a long association with Atlantic records. Her trademark songs are well known to most people familiar with jazz of the 50s and 60s; among them are "Lullaby of Birdland" and "All about Ronnie."
More-complete bio and discography: http://www.mrlucky.com/songbirds/html/jul99/c_cconnor.html
A good obituary can be found on http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/sep/02/chris-connor-obituary
Stella By Starlight
Chris Connor Lyrics
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Through years of endless springs
The murmur of a brook at eventide
That ripples through a nook where two lovers hide
That great symphonic theme
That's Stella by starlight
And not a dream
she's everything that you'd adore
That great symphonic theme
That's Stella by starlight
And not a dream
she's all of this and more
she's everything that you'd adore
The lyrics of Chris Connor's "Stella by Starlight" describe a feeling of awe and wonder in the face of natural beauty and the love that it inspires. The song begins with an image of a robin singing through "years of endless springs," a powerful symbol of renewal and growth. As the song continues, the singer invokes the murmuring of a brook at eventide, a sound associated with peace, relaxation, and the intimacy of two lovers hiding away in a quiet nook. Finally, the song reaches its climactic moment with the introduction of the "great symphonic theme" that is Stella by starlight. This phrase suggests both the transcendent power of music and the spiritual dimension of human love, which can elevate us beyond the mundane world of everyday experience.
The lyrics of "Stella by Starlight" are deeply imbued with the Romantic tradition of poetry and literature, which sought to elevate everyday experience to a higher plane of meaning and significance. The robin, the brook, and the stars are all powerful symbols of this tradition, and the singer's awe at their beauty suggests a deeply felt sense of the divine in the world around us. Meanwhile, the love that is evoked in the song is similarly elevated to the status of a "great symphonic theme," suggesting that it transcends the limitations of individual experience and belongs to a larger, more universal realm.
Line by Line Meaning
The song a robin sings
The beautiful melody that a robin sings
Through years of endless springs
Throughout the years of constant rebirths and new beginnings
The murmur of a brook at eventide
The gentle sound of a small stream at sunset
That ripples through a nook where two lovers hide
Flowing through a secretive hideout where two lovers find refuge
That great symphonic theme
The grand orchestral masterpiece
That's Stella by starlight
Named after Stella, shining brightly in the night sky
And not a dream
Not imaginary, but real and tangible
She's all of this and more
She represents all these beautiful things and more
She's everything that you'd adore
She's everything you could ever hope for or love
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Ned Washington, Victor Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind