Brubeck's style ranged from refined to bombastic, reflecting his mother's attempts at classical training and his improvisational skills. Much of his music employed unusual time signatures, a fact jokingly referred to by his greatest hits album 'Time Signatures: A Career Retrospective'. Upon his death, a number of commentators noted his crossover appeal to mainstream pop audiences, something putting him in the company of other jazz legends such as Louis Armstrong and Herbie Hancock among others.
Balcony Rock
Dave Brubeck Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We will never be apart if I′m part of you.
Open up your eyes now, tell me what you see.
It is no suprise now, what you see is me.
Big and black the clouds may be, time will pass away.
If you put your trust in me I'll make bright your day.
Look into these eyes now, tell me what you see.
Don′t you realise now, what you see is me.
Listen to me one more time, how can I get through?
Can't you try to see that I'm trying to get to you?
Open up your eyes now, tell me what you see.
It is no suprise now, what you see is me.
Tell me what you see.
Listen to me one more time, how can I get through?
Can′t you try to see that I′m trying to get to you?
Open up your eyes now, tell me what you see.
It is no suprise now, what you see is me.
The lyrics to Dave Brubeck's "Balcony Rock" are an expression of a person's desire to be loved and to form a deep connection with someone else. The opening lines "If you let me take your heart I will prove to you, we will never be apart if I'm part of you" suggest a deep longing for companionship and the willingness to commit fully to a relationship. The person singing the song is essentially making a promise to their significant other that they will always be there for them and that together, they are invincible.
The next set of lines "Open up your eyes now, tell me what you see. It is no surprise now, what you see is me" are an invitation to the person they love to really see them and to recognize the depth of their feelings. The reference to the "big and black clouds" might suggest the anxieties and fears that come with life but also that these are temporary and that they will pass as long as they have the trust of their loved one. The person singing wants their significant other to see that they are their source of light and that they can make their day brighter with their love.
The repeated line "listen to me one more time, how can I get through?" shows that the singer is trying to break through to their lover and to convince them of their sincerity. They are asking for a chance to prove themselves and to demonstrate their commitment. The song ends with the repetition of the invitation to "open up your eyes now, tell me what you see", suggesting that the singer is patiently waiting for their significant other to see that they are the one who can make them happy.
Line by Line Meaning
If you let me take your heart I will prove to you,
If you allow me access to your emotions, I will demonstrate my unconditional commitment to our relationship.
We will never be apart if I'm part of you.
Our connection is so strong that even in physical separation, our bond will remain intact.
Open up your eyes now, tell me what you see.
Be aware of your surroundings and please share your observations.
It is no suprise now, what you see is me.
My presence should be expected and is undeniable.
Big and black the clouds may be, time will pass away.
Even when obstacles appear insurmountable, they will eventually dissipate with time.
If you put your trust in me I'll make bright your day.
Believe in me and I will provide the optimism and positivity you need to make your day a positive one.
Look into these eyes now, tell me what you see.
Focus your attention on my gaze and share what you perceive.
Don't you realise now, what you see is me.
Come to the realization that my presence and essence is undeniable and omnipresent.
Tell me what you see.
Describe your observations to me.
Listen to me one more time, how can I get through?
Pay attention to me once again and help me understand what I can do to strengthen our relationship.
Can't you try to see that I'm trying to get to you?
Attempt to understand that I am making genuine efforts to connect with you.
Open up your eyes now, tell me what you see.
Be present and attentive, and share your perceptions with me.
It is no suprise now, what you see is me.
Realize that my existence is incontrovertible and undeniable.
Writer(s): Dave Brubeck
Contributed by Ethan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@edmaloney4710
What a lovely touch Desmond had! You could recognize his unique sound anywhere. His diffident, self-effacing stage presence belied the brilliant personality and genius that effortlessly flowed from his fluid and understated improvisational motif.
@3dprinterjam263
For me, this album is the apogee of jazz, and this track the highest moment of the album. My wife has always been an autograph hound, though she came to Brubeck very late in life, solely through me. So we hung around and went backstage and met him. This was shortly before he died, and he'd played back-to-back concerts in Chicago, which, for a man of his advanced age, was surely exhausting beyond words. I tried to tell this small, frail, bird-like man that he'd meant the world to me and that I had played my favorite albums of his thousands of times in my life, but his eyes were transfixed on my wife. It was actually really cute. And then he was gone. So grateful I got to finally see him live and even meet him. A titan of the music realm who still seems underrated to me. I see "the fifty greatest jazz pianists" lists that have people like McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea (??), Keith Jarrett, and Herbie Hancock (???) above him. Brubeck should be in the top five of every list IMO.
@bambudude
When you get to the level of Brubeck, Getz, Bird, Coltrane, etc. comparisons are irrelevant. This is the level of mastery, the pantheon of greatness. I have been lucky to see many of these Masters and it is life changing. Thanks for posting this. Dave lives on through his music. PS playing in 5/4 or 6/8 is hard but very cool and Dave is one of the first to break the rules. Thanks Dave!
@somersetuk525
Jazz at Oberlin and College are Pauls masterpieces he really just has it, and I feel made the difference in Dave,s success.
@caponsacchi
A lovely blues that Paul frequently worked into his solos. At the very end of his life, Paul asked Dave to record an album of duets with him. 1975--excellent album. It includes "Balcony Rock."
@jimraw1
I Love this album! When I was nine years old I discovered it in my dad's record collection (yes, it was vinyl - I'm of that age). I discovered Charlie Christian, Benny Goodman, Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughn and Shorty Rodgers, but the greatest discovery for me was Paul Desmond. That beautiful, mellow sound and amazing solos left an impression on me (I took up the saxophone in middle school). As much as I love Bird, It's Desmond that will always speak to me first.
@thethesaxman23
I don't care what anyone else says...as far as tone goes...Paul Desmond by is far the best sax player yet!
@michaeldillon3659
yes the best
@UntoRobert
So true ... i cannot listen to coltrane for ex
@gracenorton7779
First heard this aged 16 in 1957 - just as good today as it was then and still my all time favourite!