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.
Evenin'
Dave Brubeck Lyrics
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And you always remind me that my baby's gone
Evening, you got me deeply in your power
Every minute seems just like an hour, now that my baby's gone
Shadows fall upon the wall, that's the time I miss your kiss most of all
Even though I try, how can I go on
I don't care if I don't awaken, since my baby's gone
Shadows fall upon the wall, that's the time I miss your kiss most of all
Even though I try, how can I go on
Evening, let me sleep till glow of dawn is breakin'
I don't care if I don't awaken, since my man is gone
The lyrics to Dave Brubeck's "Evenin'" express the pain and longing of a person who has lost their loved one. The song opens with the singer addressing the evening, which comes every night to remind them that their baby is gone. This repetition highlights the inescapable nature of the singer's grief, and the fact that they are constantly reminded of what they have lost. The use of the word "baby" adds to the sense of intimacy between the two people, as well as to the sense of loss.
The second verse emphasizes the power of the evening over the singer, as every minute feels like an hour. The use of the word "power" suggests that the singer is powerless to escape their grief, and that it has complete control over them. The lines "Shadows fall upon the wall, that's the time I miss your kiss most of all" use vivid imagery to describe the physical and emotional emptiness the singer feels. The final verse repeats the earlier sentiments of wanting to sleep until dawn, and not caring if they never awaken because their baby is gone. The addition of the word "man" in this verse suggests that the singer has switched the gender of their lost loved one, perhaps to emphasize the universality of their pain.
Line by Line Meaning
Evening, every night you come and you find me
The singer personifies 'evening' as a daily visitor, emphasizing its consistent presence in their life.
And you always remind me that my baby's gone
The singer associates the evening with the memory of their lost loved one, highlighting the pain of the reminder.
Evening, you got me deeply in your power
The singer conveys a sense of helplessness and vulnerability towards the evening, recognizing its hold over them.
Every minute seems just like an hour, now that my baby's gone
The artist compares the passing of time to a slow and painful experience, intensified by the absence of their cherished person.
Shadows fall upon the wall, that's the time I miss your kiss most of all
The artist associates the evening with the shadows that surround them, making them more aware of their longing for their loved one.
Even though I try, how can I go on
The singer expresses their struggle to move on from their loss, questioning how they can continue without the one they loved.
Oh evening, let me sleep till glow of dawn is breakin'
The singer begs the evening to let them rest until the morning light, suggesting that sleep is the only escape from their pain.
I don't care if I don't awaken, since my baby's gone
The artist suggests that their loss is so great that they have little reason to wake up and face the world without their loved one.
Evening, let me sleep till glow of dawn is breakin'
Reiterating their plea, the artist wishes for the evening to let them rest and avoid confronting the emptiness left by their loss.
I don't care if I don't awaken, since my man is gone
In a slight variation from the beginning, the artist now refers to their lost loved one as a man, emphasizing their role as a partner and the depth of their connection.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Charles N. Daniels, Richard Whiting
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind