Henry's musical journey began at an early age when he showcased his exceptional talent on the organ. At just six years old, he participated in the competitive environment of the Apollo Theater, impressively making it to the finalist round. This early exposure to performance set the stage for his future accomplishments.
In 2010, Henry demonstrated his production skills by co-producing Jay White's "Larger than Life." The same year marked the release of his debut album, "Christmas With You." This album, characterized by his vibrant reinterpretations of classic Christmas tunes, prominently highlighted his improvisational prowess.
His impact extended beyond solo work as he contributed significantly to Kim Burrell's acclaimed album "Love," which earned Grammy nominations and Stellar Awards in 2011. Henry played a pivotal role as a writer and producer on several tracks, showcasing his versatility and musical range.
Cory Henry is celebrated for his distinctive approach to playing the organ, characterized by its harmonically rich and unpredictable nature. His organ style draws inspiration from the virtuosic innovations of jazz pianists like Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson, setting him apart from the more traditional Hammond organ players like Jimmy Smith. This unique fusion of influences allows him to craft a novel musical language that seamlessly blends jazz and gospel genres.
Throughout his career, Henry's remarkable skills have led him to collaborate with a multitude of prominent artists across various genres. Notable collaborations include working with Yolanda Adams, Sara Bareilles, Kirk Franklin, Rob Glasper, Mary Mary, Michael McDonald, NAS, Bruce Springsteen, and The Roots, among many others. His versatility as an accompanist and a producer underscores his ability to enrich diverse musical projects.
A pivotal moment in his career arrived when, at the age of nineteen, he embarked on a three-year stint as the organist for jazz legend Kenny Garrett. This experience exposed him to new audiences and further honed his musical prowess.
Henry's television appearances include performances on BET's "Sunday's Best" and "The Jimmy Fallon Show." His impromptu performances uploaded on YouTube have garnered a dedicated following, captivated by his awe-inspiring musicality.
In 2018, he launched his solo artist career with "Art of Love," his first independent release. The album demonstrated his ability to seamlessly integrate gospel, jazz, and pop elements, a testament to his genre-spanning musical capabilities.
Presently, Henry remains an integral part of the renowned musical ensemble "Snarky Puppy," with whom he continues to tour and collaborate. He has also been actively engaged in producing projects for fellow artists.
Cory Henry's musical journey is a testament to his exceptional talent, virtuosity, and unique ability to bridge genres. As a jazz organist, pianist, gospel musician, and music producer, he continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide with his extraordinary musical contributions.
What a Pity
Cory Henry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She lived down the street from my mamas house on 10
You see her name I could never pronounce
I always stuttered just to look at her mouth
Tip of her tongue I can taste her laugh
The one that got away (the one that got away)
What a pity she turned out to be the sameHere to climb up, oh, she did it for the fame
What a pity what I would've gave
'Cause she was my favorite (my favorite)
What a pity she turned out to be the same
Here to climb up, oh, she did it for the fame
What a pity what I would've gave
'Cause she was my favorite (she was my favorite)
What you gonna do, gonna do?
You can't save them all
Gonna do, gonna do?
You can't save them all
What you gonna prove?
'Cause you ain't no savior anyway
(Anyway, anyway)
She had the whitest teeth, when she'd smile it'd ruin your day (oh, no)
The bounce in the stairs that shook me where you stayed
What's her name? I could never pronounce (never pronounce)
Stuttered to shed a light on all of my doubts (oh)
Tip of her tongue I can taste her laugh
The one that got away (she got away)
What a pity she turned out to be the same
Here to climb up, oh, she did it for the fame
What a pity what I would've gave'Cause she was my favorite (she was my favorite)
What a pity she turned out to be the same (oh, what a pity)
Here to climb up, oh, she did it for the fame (she did it for the fame)
What a pity what I would've gave
'Cause she was my favorite (she was my favorite)
What you gonna do, gonna do?
You can't save them all
Gonna do, gonna do?
You can't save them all
What you gonna prove?
'Cause you ain't no savior anyway (you ain't no savior anyway)
What you gonna do, gonna do?
You can't save them all
Gonna do, gonna do?
You can't save them all
What you gonna prove?
'Cause you ain't no savior anyway (you ain't no savior, oh)
What a pity (what a pity)
What a pity, what a pity, what a pity
Damn, I really liked you (la-da-di-da)
What a pity (la-da-di-da-da-da, la-da-di-da)
Oh, oh (la-da-di-da-da-da, la-da-di-da)
In the first verse of "What a Pity" by Cory Henry, the singer reflects on a girl from his neighborhood whom he had feelings for but could never fully express. Despite his admiration for her, she ultimately pursued fame and success, leaving behind any potential relationship they might have had. The repetition of "what a pity" emphasizes the disappointment and regret the singer feels about the situation. He laments that she turned out to be just like everyone else who seeks recognition and validation through climbing the social ladder.
The lyrics highlight the singer's internal struggle between his fond memories of the girl and his disillusionment with her choices. The mention of her smile and the impact it had on him indicates the lasting impression she left on him. He nostalgically recalls her laughter and the familiarity of her presence, hinting at a sense of longing for what could have been. The repetition of "she was my favorite" underscores the significance she held in his life and the loss he feels at her transformation.
As the song progresses, the singer questions his own role in trying to save others or change their paths. The repeated refrain of "What you gonna do, gonna do? You can't save them all" suggests a sense of resignation and acceptance of his limitations. Despite caring deeply for the girl and wishing things had turned out differently, he acknowledges that he cannot control her decisions or rescue her from her chosen path. The mention of not being a savior reinforces his understanding that he cannot force someone to change or make choices that align with his desires.
The song's chorus serves as a heartbreaking reflection on missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential. The repetition of "what a pity" and "damn, I really liked you" expresses the singer's poignant realization that the girl he once admired has taken a different route, one that diverges from the connection they could have shared. The bittersweet nature of the lyrics encapsulates the complex emotions of fondness, disappointment, and resignation that accompany the experience of watching someone drift away from who they once were. Overall, "What a Pity" captures the beauty and ache of nostalgia, lost love, and the inevitability of change in relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
She was just a girl from the neighborhood back then
She was a simple girl who lived nearby in the past
She lived down the street from my mamas house on 10
She resided close to my mother's house on 10th street
You see her name I could never pronounce
I struggled to say her name correctly
I always stuttered just to look at her mouth
I was so captivated by her beauty that I stumbled over my words
Tip of her tongue I can taste her laugh
I can vividly remember the sound of her laughter
The one that got away (the one that got away)
She is the one I lost the chance with
What a pity she turned out to be the same
It's unfortunate that she didn't change
Here to climb up, oh, she did it for the fame
She only aimed for success and recognition
What a pity what I would've gave
It's regretful that I would've offered so much
'Cause she was my favorite (my favorite)
Because she was the one I cherished the most
What you gonna do, gonna do?
What are you planning to do?
You can't save them all
It's impossible to rescue everyone
What you gonna prove?
What are you trying to demonstrate?
'Cause you ain't no savior anyway
Because you are not a savior regardless
She had the whitest teeth, when she'd smile it'd ruin your day (oh, no)
Her dazzling smile could brighten or ruin your day
The bounce in the stairs that shook me where you stayed
The energy in her step affected me wherever she went
Stuttered to shed a light on all of my doubts (oh)
Struggled to find clarity on all my uncertainties
What a pity she turned out to be the same (oh, what a pity)
It's disappointing that she remained unchanged
Here to climb up, oh, she did it for the fame (she did it for the fame)
She pursued fame and success with determination
What a pity what I would've gave
It's a shame what I was willing to offer
'Cause she was my favorite (she was my favorite)
Because she was the one I treasured most
Damn, I really liked you (la-da-di-da)
I genuinely had feelings for you
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Cory Henry, Merna Bishouty, Isaiah Sharkey, Nicholas Semrad, Sharay Reed, TaRon Lockett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DynamicRockers
Mineapolis style this time, that's coooool ! thanks for the good vibes
@rodehs688
Imagine Cory dropped this back in the 70s?? They would have lost their minds listening to this!!!🔥🎶🎵😵💫🕺🏾
@Flexokeyz
True, its really cool for the 70s
@membri8778
Hyped for the concert in Madrid! 🇪🇸🔥
Can't believe such a legend is coming to my country!
@blablablu3081
Cuándo viene a España? Toca sólo en Madrid?
@beatsbyb1uu
saw him live the day this dropped and it was incredible! met shaun martin, michael league, larnell lewis, and saw so many other incredible musicians right there best day of my life
@steveowen7475
At another level....snarky puppy searing gospel.....this is all about the pace the melody lines......
@ThomasEJones-oz9il
I could see this giving Princes' Little Red Corvet a run for it's money back in the day!
@poerava
One of the most talented musicians of our era
@Flexokeyz
True