His professional career began in 1954 as an original member of Ray Charles' Band.
Newman had a prolific recording and performing career.
Newman got his nickname in high school music class. Mr. Miller, his then music teacher, saw his music upside down on the stand, and knowing that Newman couldn't read music very well at the time, walked over and tapped him on his head with the conductor's baton and called him "Fathead." The entire classroom laughed, and Newman, having good humor, did not find it derogatory.[citation needed] The name has stuck with him ever since. But he, himself, has said he prefers to be called "David."
He moved to Dallas, where he graduated from Lincoln High School. After high school, he started playing flute and tenor saxophone at local shows. He then received a scholarship to Jarvis Christian College, where he studied theology and music. Newman stayed in college for two years and decided to move onto the road to further his music career. He played with Buster Smith, Charlie Parker's mentor, and the band played many one-nighters and performed at many dance halls all over the central United States.
At one of these many gigs, David met Ray Charles. There was an immediate bond between the two.
In 1954, David joined Charles in his band as the baritone saxophone player (although he is more famous as a tenor saxophone and flute player) and began a twelve year gig with Charles. He later joined Herbie Mann, with whom he played for another ten years.
Over the years up to 2005, Newman has recorded over thirty-five albums under his own name, including his first, Ray Charles-Presenting David "Fathead" Newman (1959) and second, Wide Open Spaces, which was produced by Cannonball Adderley, the following year.
Always a musicians' musician, Newman is best known for his hard bop style that has influenced whole generations of saxophone players of different genres. He has also played R&B and blues, appearing on recordings with Stanley Turrentine, Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, the Average White Band, Jimmy McGriff, Eric Clapton, Natalie Cole, Hank Crawford, Aaron Neville, Queen Latifah, Richard Tee, Dr. John and Cheryl Bentyne of The Manhattan Transfer.
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Ruby
David "Fathead" Newman Lyrics
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Not always what you seem
And though my heart may break when I awake
Let it be so
I only know, Ruby, it's you
They say, Ruby you're like a song
You don't know right from wrong
But from the start, who stole my heart?
Ruby, it's you
I hear your voice and I must come to you
I have no choice what else can I do?
They say, Ruby you're like a flame
Into my life you came
And though I should beware
Still I don't care you thrill me so
David "Fathead" Newman's song "Ruby" is a romantic ballad about a woman with a complex personality. The opening line, "They say, Ruby you're like a dream," suggests that Ruby is not always what she seems, and the singer recognizes this, understanding that he may get his heart broken when he wakes up and realizes this. He goes on to sing, "I only know, Ruby, it's you," which shows the depth of his attachment to her despite her unpredictable nature.
The chorus continues with, "They say, Ruby you're like a song, you don't know right from wrong, and in your eyes I see heart aches for me, but from the start who stole my heart?" This line says that Ruby's unpredictable nature makes her unable to distinguish between right and wrong, and he recognizes that she has struggled with heartache. Despite this, he is still drawn to her as she stole his heart from the beginning.
In the final verse, the song compares Ruby to a flame, which implies that she is passionate and intense. The singer recognizes that he should beware of her, but he is still drawn to her as she thrills him. Overall, the song portrays the singer's complicated feelings towards Ruby, whose unpredictable and passionate nature both intrigues and scares him.
Line by Line Meaning
They say, Ruby you're like a dream
People say that you, Ruby, are like a dream - something that is often perceived as being pleasant and desirable, but not always reflecting the reality.
Not always what you seem
You are not always what you appear to be, and there may be more to you than meets the eye.
And though my heart may break when I awake
Even though seeing the truth about you may hurt me deeply, I am willing to face it.
Let it be so
Whatever may happen, I accept it and won't resist it.
I only know, Ruby, it's you
Regardless of what you may reveal yourself to be like, you are still the one who has captured my heart, Ruby.
They say, Ruby you're like a song
Others describe you, Ruby, as being like a song - something that can evoke strong emotions but may not always convey a clear message or meaning.
You don't know right from wrong
You may not always have a clear understanding of what is morally right or wrong.
And in your eyes I see heart aches for me
I can see that you have suffered because of me, Ruby, and that you still have feelings for me.
But from the start, who stole my heart?
Despite the confusion and hurt, it was you, Ruby, who captured my heart from the very beginning.
Ruby, it's you
No matter what others may say or reveal about you, you are still the one who holds my heart above all others, Ruby.
I hear your voice and I must come to you
Whenever I hear your voice, I am compelled to seek you out, Ruby.
I have no choice what else can I do?
It seems like there is no other option for me but to follow my heart and pursue you, Ruby.
They say, Ruby you're like a flame
Others describe you, Ruby, as being like a flame - something that can be both alluring and dangerous at the same time.
Into my life you came
You entered my life, Ruby, and brought both passion and risk along with you.
And though I should beware
Even though I know that being involved with you, Ruby, may carry risks, I cannot help but be drawn to you.
Still I don't care you thrill me so
The excitement that you bring into my life, Ruby, is so intense that I am willing to ignore the potential dangers and continue pursuing you.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HEINZ ROEMHELD, MITCHELL PARISH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind