Dakota Staton (June 3, 1930 – April 10, 2007) was an American jazz vocalist… Read Full Bio ↴Dakota Staton (June 3, 1930 – April 10, 2007) was an American jazz vocalist who found international acclaim with the 1957 No. 4 hit, "The Late, Late Show". She was also known by the Muslim name Aliyah Rabia for a period due to her conversion to Islam as interpreted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

Born in the Homewood neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she attended George Westinghouse High School and studied music at the Filion School of Music in Pittsburgh. Later she performed regularly in the Hill District, a jazz hotspot, as a vocalist with the Joe Westray Orchestra, a popular Pittsburgh orchestra. She next spent several years in the nightclub circuit in such cities as Detroit, Indianapolis, Cleveland and St. Louis. While in New York, she was noticed singing at a Harlem nightclub called the Baby Grand by Dave Cavanaugh, a producer for Capitol Records. She was signed and released several singles, her success leading her to win Down Beat magazine's "Most Promising Newcomer" award in 1955. In 1958, Staton wed Talib Dawud, a black Antigua-born Ahmadi Muslim trumpeter and noted critic of Elijah Muhammad. She subsequently converted to Islam and used the name Aliyah Rabia for some time. The marriage ultimately ended in divorce.

She released several critically acclaimed albums in the late 1950s and early 1960s, including: The Late, Late Show (1957), whose title track was her biggest hit, In the Night (1957), a collaboration with pianist George Shearing, Dynamic! (1958) and Dakota at Storyville (1961), a live album recorded at the Storyville jazz club in Boston. In the mid-1960s Staton moved to England, where she recorded the album Dakota ′67. Returning to the US in the early 1970s, she continued to record semi-regularly, her recordings taking an increasingly strong gospel and blues influence. She suffered a stroke in 1999, after which her health deteriorated. Staton died in New York City aged 76 in 2007.

Music
Dakota Staton Lyrics

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i hear music mighty fine music the murmur of the morning breeze up there the rattle of the milkman on the stair sure that's music the sing of the sparrow in the sky the perking of the coffe right near by there's my favorite melody you my angle phoning me I hear music mighty fine music and any time i think my world is wrong i get out of bed and sing this song

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Dakota Staton's song "I Hear Music" convey the power of music and how it can transform one's perspective, even in times of hardship. The opening lines, "I hear music mighty fine music," suggest the singer is just waking up and already hears music in the sounds of the morning. The lyrics go on to mention other everyday sounds that can be appreciated as music, such as the rattle of the milkman on the stair and the sing of the sparrow in the sky.

The song also highlights the idea that music can be a source of comfort and a way to escape from a troubling world. The line "and any time i think my world is wrong," implies that the singer may feel overwhelmed or troubled at times, but the sound of music is enough to lift their mood. The final line, "I get out of bed and sing this song," reinforces the idea that music can be a powerful tool for positivity and motivation.

Overall, "I Hear Music" celebrates the beauty of music and its ability to uplift and inspire even during difficult times.

Line by Line Meaning

i hear music mighty fine music
I am able to hear a pleasing and high-quality music

the murmur of the morning breeze up there
The gentle, low sound of the wind breeze up in the sky

the rattle of the milkman on the stair sure that's music
Even the rattling sound of the milkman on the stairs can be called music

the sing of the sparrow in the sky
The chirping sound of the sparrow heard from the sky above

the perking of the coffee right near by
The bubbling and steaming sound of coffee brewing nearby

there's my favorite melody
Here is the tune that I enjoy the most

you my angle phoning me
You, my angel, calling me on the phone

i hear music mighty fine music
I can still hear delightful and high-quality music

and any time i think my world is wrong
Whenever I feel like my world is not right

i get out of bed and sing this song
I get out of bed and start singing this particular song

Lyrics © DONALDSON PUBLISHING CO, TOBAGO MUSIC COMPANY, Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Walter Donaldson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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