Dexter Keith Gordon was a middle class child from Los Angeles who learned his trade in local big bands and, by the age of 17, played with Lionel Hampton. Four years later he joined the legendary and ground-breaking Billy Eckstine bebop outfit and gradually through the late 40s he became established as one of the top bebop tenor men. In 1945 he moved to New York where he jammed with the bebop heavyweights like Charlie Parker and,Dizzy Gillespie but by 1948 he was back in LA teaming up with fellow tenor player Wardell Gray. Like so many of his fellow Jazz musicians he suffered in the 1950s from heroin addiction and spent the majority of the decade in jail due to drug busts. Thankfully, in the early 60s he straightened out and emerged stronger than ever before and started a recording relationship with Blue Note. Many of the albums recorded in that period remain classics to this day. In 1962 he accepted an invitation to perform at Ronnie Scott's club in London. He was so overwhelmed by the reception he received from the European audiences and by the invitations that flooded in from continental clubs, that he prolonged his stay in Europe. In the end it lasted more than 15 years, first settling in Paris, later moving to Copenhagen where he lived playing and recording prolifically until 1977. A 1976 return tour in the States led to many invitations to clubs and festivals that he decided to come back to the US where he was welcomed back with open arms. His career continued successfully until the mid-80s when his health began to fail. However, one last great swansong remained when he was cast as the lead acting role in the 1986 film 'Round Midnight, a story about a hard drinking American Jazzman in Paris, loosely based on the experiences of Lester Youngand Bud Powell. The role fitted him to a tee and very little acting was actually required. The movie was a hit earning Dexter an Oscar nomination. His body eventually succumbed to a variety of illnesses associated with his hard-lived existence and he died in 1990.
Old Folks
Dexter Gordon Quartet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I felt a bump and heard an "Oh, beg your pardon"
Suddenly I saw polka dots and moonbeams
All around a pug-nosed dream
The music started and was I the perplexed one
I held my breath and said "May I have the next one?"
In my frightened arms, polka dots and moonbeams
There were questions in the eyes of other dancers
As we floated over the floor
There were questions but my heart knew all the answers
And perhaps a few things more
Now in a cottage built of lilacs and laughter
I know the meaning of the words "Ever after"
And I'll always see polka dots and moonbeams
When I kiss the pug-nosed dream
The song "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" is about falling in love unexpectedly. The lyrics begin with a description of a country dance being held in a garden, and the singer accidentally bumps into someone. He hears an "Oh, beg your pardon" and notices "polka dots and moonbeams all around a pug-nosed dream." Here, the polka dots and moonbeams represent the euphoria and enchantment of falling in love at first sight. The pug-nosed dream is the person the singer bumped into, who he is instantly smitten with.
As the music starts, the singer plucks up the courage to ask the pug-nosed dream for a dance, holding them in "frightened arms" as they twirl around the dance floor, with polka dots and moonbeams glittering all around them. Although other dancers are curious about the pair and what they represent, the singer knows that the bond they share is real and unbreakable.
The final lines describe a life together full of joy and laughter, with the polka dots and moonbeams imagery still present whenever the singer looks at their partner. The cottage built of "lilacs and laughter" represents a peaceful, loving home, and the singer knows that their love will last forever.
Line by Line Meaning
A country dance was being held in a garden
There was a dance party happening outdoors in a garden.
I felt a bump and heard an "Oh, beg your pardon"
Someone accidentally bumped into the singer and apologized.
Suddenly I saw polka dots and moonbeams
The singer had a romantic feeling and saw the world in a whimsical, dreamlike way.
All around a pug-nosed dream
The artist was enchanted by someone with a cute and unique facial feature (a pug nose).
The music started and was I the perplexed one
The music began and the artist felt confused and unsure of what to do next.
I held my breath and said "May I have the next one?"
The singer asked for a dance partner while feeling nervous.
In my frightened arms, polka dots and moonbeams
The singer felt overwhelmed by the romantic atmosphere and saw magical visuals in the moment.
Sparkled on a pug-nosed dream
The enchanting person the artist held onto seemed even more special with the magical surroundings.
There were questions in the eyes of other dancers
Other people at the party seemed curious or suspicious of the artist and their dance partner.
As we floated over the floor
The artist and their partner danced gracefully together.
There were questions but my heart knew all the answers
Even though others wondered about the singer's dance partner, the singer knew they were in love and it felt right.
And perhaps a few things more
The artist kept some secrets about their feelings, even from themselves.
Now in a cottage built of lilacs and laughter
The singer is reminiscing about a happy, romantic time when they were with their partner.
I know the meaning of the words "Ever after"
The singer understands the true meaning of a happy and lasting relationship with someone they love.
And I'll always see polka dots and moonbeams
The memory of the romantic atmosphere and their partner will always stay with the singer.
When I kiss the pug-nosed dream
The artist will always cherish the memory of their romantic partner with a cute and unique feature (the pug nose).
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DEDETTE LEE HILL, WILLARD ROBISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ghairraigh
Here's a great favorite of mine, a very moving duet performance of "Old Folks" by Dexter Gordon and bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen.
-- From Dexter's album "The Apartment", SteepleChase Records, 1974.
sb
So fucking good
Edna Fernandes
wowowowowowowowowow