Donaldson Toussaint L'Ouverture Byrd II (born December 9, 1932 – February … Read Full Bio ↴Donaldson Toussaint L'Ouverture Byrd II (born December 9, 1932 – February 4, 2013) was an American jazz, rhythm and blues trumpeter. Born in Detroit, Michigan. He performed with Lionel Hampton before finishing high school. After playing in a military band during a term in the United States Air Force, he obtained a bachelor's degree in music from Wayne State University and a master's degree from Manhattan School of Music. While still at the Manhattan School he joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, replacing Clifford Brown. After leaving the Jazz Messengers in 1956 he performed with a wide variety of highly regarded jazz musicians.

In the 1970s, he moved away from his previous hard-bop jazz base and began to record jazz fusion and rhythm and blues. Teaming up with the Mizell Brothers, he produced Black Byrd, which was enormously successful and became Blue Note Records' highest-ever selling album. The follow-up albums, Places and Spaces, Stepping Into Tomorrow, and Street Lady, were also big sellers, and have subsequently provided a rich source of samples for hip-hop artists such as Us3.

He has taught music at Rutgers University, the Hampton Institute, New York University, Howard University, and Oberlin College. In 1974 he created The Blackbyrds, a fusion group consisting of his best students. They scored several major hits, including "Walking In Rhythm" and "Blackbyrds Theme".

Science Funktion
Donald Byrd Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

5,4,3,2,1,
yeah that's all right
man check him out over there

day sees the sunshine on thehill
sience funktion ...

Overall Meaning

The opening countdown in Donald Byrd's song "Science Funktion" immediately sets the stage for a journey into a futuristic, intergalactic soundscape. The lyrics are sparse and somewhat cryptic, leaving much room for interpretation. The phrase "man check him out over there" almost implies a casual, observational tone, as if the singer is simply commenting on something he sees. However, the following line "day sees the sunshine on the hill" is more poetic and abstract, suggesting a symbolic or metaphorical meaning. Perhaps this line represents a contrast between the natural beauty of the earth and the artificial, technological world that the song is exploring.

The title "Science Funktion" itself also hints at a fascination with technology and the scientific world. The song's fast-paced, funky beat and jazz-infused instrumentation conjures up images of a sleek, futuristic world where technology reigns supreme. Overall, "Science Funktion" is a prime example of Donald Byrd's signature blend of jazz and funk with a futuristic, experimental twist.

Line by Line Meaning

5,4,3,2,1,
Countdown to launch or an exciting event.

yeah that's all right
Acknowledgment of a positive situation or feeling.

man check him out over there
A comment on somebody who stands out, who is being noticed.

day sees the sunshine on the hill
A metaphor about a good day, full of potential and opportunities.

sience funktion ...
The phrase 'science function' is repeated to emphasize its importance, possibly as a reference to technology and progress.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALPHONSO MIZELL, LARRY MIZELL, RODNEY CRAIG MIZELL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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