Born in Brooklyn, New York City, Dave Pell first played in his teens with the big bands of Tony Pastor, Bob Astor, and Bobby Sherwood, and then moved to California in the middle of the 1940s. There he played on Bob Crosby's radio show in 1946, and was a member of Les Brown's band from 1947 to 1955.
In 1953 he began working with his own ensembles, mostly as an octet: Pell on tenor sax, another saxophone (either a baritone or an alto), trumpet and trombone, guitar, and a piano-bass-drums rhythm section). Among the octet players were Pepper Adams, Benny Carter, Mel Lewis, Red Mitchell, Marty Paich, Art Pepper and, early his career, John Williams. These ensembles recorded in the 1950s for Atlantic, Kapp, Coral, Capitol, and RCA Victor; alongside this, he played as a sideman for Shorty Rogers, Pete Rugolo, Benny Goodman, and Gene Krupa. He also produced in the 1950s and 1960s for Tops, Uni and Liberty; among his credits in production were some singles by Gary Lewis & the Playboys.
In 1961, Pell switched to alto sax and clarinet for I Remember John Kirby, a tribute album to bassist/bandleader Kirby who led a successful small group in the 1930s and '40s.
Pell was the recording session leader for the 1965 hit song "No Matter What Shape (Your Stomach's In)", performed by members of the elite Los Angeles studio musicians known as The Wrecking Crew but attributed to The T-Bones.
In the 1970s he assembled the group Prez Conference, a Lester Young tribute ensemble. In the 1980s he returned to the octet format, and played on and off into the 1990s.
While living in North Hollywood, Dave Pell was married to Babette and had two daughters, Sandra and Suzanne. He died on 8 May 2017 at the age of 92.
Frenesí
Dave Pell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wandered down into old Mexico
While I was there
I felt romance everywhere
Moon was shining bright
And I could hear laughing voices in the night
Everyone was gay
This was the start of their holiday
And so I stopped a while to see the show
I knew that frenesí meant "Please love me"
And I could say frenesí
A lovely señorita caught my eye
I stood enchanted as she wandered by
And never knowing that it come from me
I gently sighed frenesí
She stopped and raised her eyes to mine
Her lips just pleaded to be kissed
Her eyes were soft as candle-shine
So how was I to resist?
And now without a heart to call my own
A greater happiness I've never known
Because her kisses are for me alone
Who wouldn't say frenesí?
Bésame tu a mí
Bésame igual que mi boca te besó
Dame el frenesí
Qui mi locura te dió
Quien si no fui yo
Pudo enseñarte el camino del amor
Muerto mi altivez
Cuando mi orgullo rodo a tus pies
Quiero que vivas solo para mí
Why que tu vayas por donde yo voy
Para que mi alma sea no mas de ti
Bésame con frenesí
Dame la luz que tiene tu mirar
Why la ansiedad que entre tus labios vi
Esa locura de vivir why amar
Que es mas que amor frenesí
Hay en el beso que te di
Alma, piedad, corazón
Dime que sabes tu sentir
Lo mismo que siento yo
Quiero que vivas solo para mí
Why que tu vayas por donde yo voy
Para que mi alma sea no mas de ti
Bésame con frenesí
The lyrics to Dave Pell's song Frenesi describe the singer's experience in Mexico, where he was captivated by the vibrant atmosphere of a fiesta. He describes feeling romance and hearing laughter all around him while the moon shone bright in the night sky. The word "frenesi" caught his attention, and he discovered that it meant "please love me." When he saw a beautiful "señorita" walk by, he couldn't help but sigh "frenesi." She noticed him and they shared a moment, culminating in a kiss. From that moment on, the singer has never known a greater happiness.
The lyrics paint a beautiful picture of the passion and joy that can be found in life. The singer's experience in Mexico is a testament to the power of love and the allure of new experiences. The song captures the magic of falling in love and the excitement of living life to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
Some time ago
Dave Pell is starting a story by recalling something that happened in the past
I wandered down into old Mexico
Dave Pell went on a journey to Mexico
While I was there
During his trip to Mexico
I felt romance everywhere
Dave Pell felt a sense of love and passion all around him
Moon was shining bright
The moon was shining brightly in the sky
And I could hear laughing voices in the night
The sound of laughter could be heard during the night
Everyone was gay
People were happy and joyful
This was the start of their holiday
The people were beginning their holiday celebration
It was fiesta down in Mexico
A fiesta was taking place in Mexico
And so I stopped a while to see the show
Dave Pell paused to watch the festivities
I knew that frenesí meant "Please love me"
Dave Pell understood the meaning of the Spanish word "frenesí"
And I could say frenesí
Dave Pell could pronounce the Spanish word "frenesí"
A lovely señorita caught my eye
Dave Pell noticed a beautiful young lady
I stood enchanted as she wandered by
Dave Pell was captivated by her beauty as she walked past him
And never knowing that it come from me
The lady didn't realize that Dave felt an attraction to her
I gently sighed frenesí
Dave Pell softly said the word "frenesí" to himself
She stopped and raised her eyes to mine
The lady noticed Dave looking at her and made eye contact
Her lips just pleaded to be kissed
Dave Pell felt a desire to kiss her lips
Her eyes were soft as candle-shine
The lady's eyes appeared gentle and radiant
So how was I to resist?
Dave Pell was unable to resist his attraction to her
And now without a heart to call my own
Dave Pell had given his heart to the lady
A greater happiness I've never known
Dave Pell had never been happier before
Because her kisses are for me alone
The lady only kissed Dave Pell, making him feel special
Who wouldn't say frenesí?
Dave Pell wonders who wouldn't feel love and passion in this situation
Bésame tu a mí
The lady is now speaking and saying "Kiss me like I kissed you"
Bésame igual que mi boca te besó
She continues asking Dave Pell to kiss her like she kissed him
Dame el frenesí
She wants Dave Pell to give her the passion he feels for her
Qui mi locura te dió
The passion she feels for him is driving her crazy
Quien si no fui yo
She wonders who else could have taught him how to love
Pudo enseñarte el camino del amor
No one else could teach him the way of love
Muerto mi altivez
Her pride is gone
Cuando mi orgullo rodo a tus pies
Her pride melted away in front of Dave Pell
Quiero que vivas solo para mí
She wants Dave Pell to only live for her
Why que tu vayas por donde yo voy
She wants Dave Pell to go wherever she goes
Para que mi alma sea no mas de ti
Her soul belongs to Dave Pell only
Bésame con frenesí
She again asks Dave Pell to kiss her passionately
Dame la luz que tiene tu mirar
She wants Dave Pell to give her the light he has in his eyes
Why la ansiedad que entre tus labios vi
The passion she saw in Dave Pell's lips drove her crazy
Esa locura de vivir why amar
The madness of living and loving
Que es mas que amor frenesí
The frenzy between them is not just love, it's more than that
Hay en el beso que te di
There is something special in the kiss she gave him
Alma, piedad, corazón
There is soul, pity, and heart in that kiss
Dime que sabes tu sentir
She asks Dave Pell if he feels the same way
Lo mismo que siento yo
She hopes Dave Pell feels the same way she does
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Alberto Borras Dominguez, Leonard Whitcup
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind