Take Five
Dave Brubeck Quart. Desmond Morello Lyrics

Take Five is a jazz instrumental masterpiece composed by Paul Desmond and performed by the Dave Brubeck Quartet in 1959. The song is played in 5/4 time signature, which is an unusual time signature in jazz music, as most jazz songs are composed in 4/4 time signature. The song opens with a signature melody in saxophone played by Desmond, which is followed by a piano solo by Brubeck. The song is a dialogue between saxophone and piano, and it is an excellent example of jazz improvisation.

The lyrics of the song, which were added by Desmond later, describe the feeling of infatuation and a desire for a deeper connection. The singer asks the person they are infatuated with to stop and take some time out with them, just take five. Even though they pass each other every day, they never exchange words, and their interaction is more of a pantomime than a play. The singer wishes for the other person to be less polite and start a conversation, which would bring them closer. They are aware of the small moments of connection they share, such as eye contact and smiles, and those moments give them hope that something more significant could develop.

Overall, the lyrics of Take Five capture the feeling of yearning, loneliness, and the desire for deeper connection, which are common themes in jazz music. The song is a masterpiece that combines excellent musical compositions and improvisation with insightful lyrics that speak to the listener's soul.