Sanborn, who suffered from polio in his youth, has been a highly regarded session player since the mid 1970s. One of his first professional gigs was as a member of Paul Butterfield's band. One of Sanborn's earliest guest recordings was on David Bowie's Young Americans. Around this time his output as a session player became prolific and over the next ten years he played with a dazzling array of artists, such as Paul Simon, James Taylor (contributing to the remake of the Marvin Gaye classic "How Sweet It Is"), The Rolling Stones, The Eagles and Stevie Wonder.
In the late 1980s he was a regular guest member of Paul Shaffer's band on Late Night with David Letterman. From 1988-89, he co-hosted a late-night TV music show on NBC with Jools Holland. The show, "Night Music", following producer Hal Willner's eclectic approach, drew Sanborn together with many famed musicians, such as Miles Davis, Lou Reed, Santana, Curtis Mayfield, and many others.
Throughout his career, Sanborn has skirted the edges of free jazz: In his youth he studied with Roscoe Mitchell and Julius Hemphill, and performed on Tim Berne's Diminutive Mysteries, dedicated to Hemphill. His 1991 album Another Hand, produced by Hal Willner, features Charlie Haden, Jack DeJohnette, Bill Frisell, Marc Ribot, and various other players not usually associated with smooth jazz.
In television, Sanborn is well-known for his sax solo in the theme song for the NBC hit drama L.A. Law. He has also dabbled in writing for film, contributing to such scores as Lethal Weapon and Scrooged.
In 2004, David Sanborn was inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame.
You can find photographs and additional information on David's official website, www.DavidSanborn.com.
Water is Wide
David Sanborn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and neither have I wings to fly
give me a boat that can carry two
and both shall row - my love and I
There is a ship, she sails the sea
she's loaded deep as deep can be
but not as deep as the love I'm in
Now love is gentle, and love is kind
the sweetest flower when first it's new
but love grows old, and waxes cold
and fades away like morning dew
The first stanza of David Sanborn's The Water Is Wide speaks of the singer's inability to cross over a body of water without a boat or wings to fly. It is implied that the singer desires a boat that can carry two individuals and wishes to have his love accompany him on this journey. The lyrics evoke a sense of longing and frustration with the limitations of not having the means to unite with one's lover. It is conveyed that the singer is not willing to embark on this journey alone and wishes for his beloved to accompany him.
In the second stanza, we are introduced to the singer's deep love for his partner. The imagery of a ship sailing the sea, loaded as deep can be, is presented juxtaposed with the true depth of love which runs even deeper. The singer communicates his uncertainty as to how to navigate this powerful force without sinking or swimming. The final stanza contrasts the initial depiction of love as gentle and kind with the reality that love can also grow old, wax cold, and fade away like morning dew. This stanza suggests a sense of ambivalence and acceptance, that love can be both beautiful and fleeting.
Line by Line Meaning
The water is wide, I can't cross over
The distance between us is vast, and I can't find a way to cross it.
and neither have I wings to fly
I don't have the means to overcome this distance, even if I could fly.
give me a boat that can carry two
I need a sturdy vessel that can hold both of us as we travel across the water.
and both shall row - my love and I
Together, we will row the boat and work together to overcome the obstacles between us.
There is a ship, she sails the sea
Many other ships sail upon the sea.
she's loaded deep as deep can be
Some carry cargo so heavy that they sink down deep into the water.
but not as deep as the love I'm in
But none of those ships can hold the depth of emotion that I have for my love.
I know not how I sink or swim
I don't know how I will navigate this stormy sea of emotions and the uncertainties that lie ahead.
Now love is gentle, and love is kind
Love can be a beautiful and gentle force in our lives.
the sweetest flower when first it's new
At the beginning, love can be like a fragrant and delicate flower, full of promise.
but love grows old, and waxes cold
However, love can also be fleeting and grow stale over time.
and fades away like morning dew
It can disappear just as quickly as it appeared, leaving us feeling alone and empty.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind