He won the Down Beat critics' poll for the 'New Star of the Year' in 1954; he was inducted into the Down Beat 'Jazz Hall of Fame' in 1972 in the critics' poll. Sandoval described him as "one of what we call the mandatory trumpet players" who was "one of the greatest trumpet players of all time".
Wilmington, Delaware, (where Brownie was born and is buried), hosts an annual jazz fest in his honor. Sponsored by the cities arts commission known as Citifest, the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival is a FREE week long event held mostly in outdoor venues at various locations in Wilmington. The festival usually occurs the 3rd week in June of each year.
Noteable websites are:
The Clifford Brown Jazz Festival: http://www.cliffordbrownjazzfest.com
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clifford_Brown and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clifford_Brown_Jazz_Festival
Brownie, the unofficial memorial website: http://cliffordbrown.net
You Go To My Head
Clifford Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you linger like a haunting refrain
And I find you spinning round in my brain
Like the bubbles in a glass of champagne
You go to my head
Like a sip of sparkling burgundy brew
And I find the very mention of you
The thrill of the thought
That you might give a thought to my plea, cast a spell over me
Still I say to myself get a hold of yourself
Can't you see that it never can be?
You go to my head
With a smile that makes my temperature rise
Like a summer with a thousand July's
You intoxicate my soul with your eyes
Though I'm certain that this heart of mine
Hasn't a ghost of a chance in this crazy romance
You go to my head
You go to my head
In the song 'You Go to My Head' by Clifford Brown, the singer expresses how the person they desire haunts their thoughts and lingers like a melody in their mind. The metaphor used in these lyrics, comparing the subject to bubbles in champagne or the kicker in a julep, adds to the sensual theme of the song. The lyrics then highlight the singer's infatuation with this person, admitting that the mere mention of them can stir up strong emotions. The feeling of hope that maybe their crush will reciprocate their feelings casts a spell over them. The second half of the song continues along the same theme, presenting the object of affection as being someone who can intoxicate the singer's soul with just a smile or gaze. Despite admitting that their heart doesn't have much of a chance in this 'crazy romance,' the lure of their crush persists in their thoughts, with the final line summing up their fixation.
Line by Line Meaning
You go to my head
You are on the top of my mind all the time.
And you linger like a haunting refrain
You stay in my thoughts long after I last saw you.
And I find you spinning round in my brain
You occupy my thoughts constantly and it feels like I can't stop thinking about you.
Like the bubbles in a glass of champagne
You are effervescent and lively, and I can't seem to shake you off my mind.
Like a sip of sparkling burgundy brew
Your presence in my life is intoxicating, like a sip of sparkling wine that uplifts my spirit.
And I find the very mention of you
Even hearing your name brings thoughts of you rushing to my mind.
Like the kicker in a julep or two
You are like a surprising twist in a refreshing summer drink. Your presence delights and surprises me.
The thrill of the thought
The mere thought of you gives me an adrenaline rush.
That you might give a thought to my plea, cast a spell over me
The possibility that you might consider my request or show interest in me seems magical and enchanting to me.
Still I say to myself get a hold of yourself
Despite my intense emotions towards you, I remind myself to stay grounded and not let my feelings overwhelm me.
Can't you see that it never can be?
I am aware that a romantic relationship between us is unlikely or impossible, but I can't help the way I feel.
With a smile that makes my temperature rise
The warmth and affection in your smile have a profound effect on me, raising my emotions and excitement levels.
Like a summer with a thousand July's
Your presence fills my life with such brightness and joy that it feels like a summer with an endless number of perfect days.
You intoxicate my soul with your eyes
Your gaze is captivating and alluring, and it feels like you are able to touch my soul with a mere look.
Though I'm certain that this heart of mine hasn't a ghost of a chance in this crazy romance
I know that my feelings for you may not be reciprocated, and that the possibility of a romantic relationship between us may be slim.
You go to my head
You are constantly on my mind, and I can't get you out of my head.
You go to my head
Your presence and influence in my life are too strong for me to ignore, you stay in my thoughts constantly.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: J Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Neal Luczkiewicz
This is just a stunning piece of recorded music. Lou Donaldson is playing in the stratosphere. Brownie plays fewer bars here but is also wonderful.
The ending itself is very subtle and complex - and great.
This is a great song
to heal emotional upset.
David Maslow
Clifford Brown is Extraordinary!
MrMarcospaizante
Amazing song and playing by Clifford Brown and his band. Congratulations from Brazil.
Luiz R
You go to my head is one of my all time favourite Jazz ballads. Brownie and Lou Donaldson are fantastic here.
boomerang905
Gone since l was in kindergarten and his sound is ageless, unlike me. Sad we missed so much of this genius, young Trumpeter. 🎺 GTS
JJ S
Definitivamente mi versión favorita de este tema.
David Maslow
I've haven't heard this before. Shame on me! Its Wonderful!
Wayne Andrus
How inspiring to anyone who likes to play Jazz!!
jazz4asahel
What a hoot. Great stuff!!
minipoly
Lou Donaldson sounds just like Charlie Parker here - fabulous