On the 1963 Byrd album A New Perspective, Pearson arranged four tracks, including "Cristo Redentor", which became a big hit. The song, Pearson later commented, was inspired by a trip he took to Brazil while touring with Wilson.[2] Also that year, after the death of Ike Quebec, Pearson took over his position as A&R man of Blue Note.[2] From that year until 1970, Pearson was a frequent session musician and producer for numerous Blue Note albums while also recording his own albums as band leader. This was odd, since Pearson also recorded with his co-led big band with Byrd for Atlantic Records, a stipulation he made sure was in his Atlantic contract.[2] The Byrd-Pearson band consisted of musicians such as Chick Corea, Pepper Adams, Randy Brecker, and Garrnet Brown; the latter three were members also of the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis band that played the same night club, The Vanguard, but on different nights. Between the two ensembles, the musicians performed at their own discretion.
Pearson eventually retired from his position with Blue Note in 1971 after personnel changes were made; co-founder Alfred Lion retired in 1967 after the label was sold to Liberty Records the previous year and co-founder Frank Wolff died in 1971. Pearson opted to teach at Clark College in ’71, toured with Carmen McRae and Joe Williams through 1973, and eventually reformed his big band during that time.
He was diagnosied with multiple sclerosis in the 1970s, which he ultimately died from in 1980 at Atlanta Veterans Hospital.[2]
Like Someone in Love
Duke Pearson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hearing guitars like someone in love.
Sometimes the things I do astound me,
Mostly whenever you're around me.
Lately I seem to walk as though I had wings,
Bump into things like someone in love.
Each time I look at you,
I'm limp as a glove,
The lyrics of Duke Pearson's song "Like Someone in Love" portrays the feeling of infatuation and how it transforms one's personality. The first line of the song "Lately, I find myself out gazing at stars, hearing guitars like someone in love" portrays the singer's deep longing and the sense of romanticism that envelops him. The singer is so hopelessly in love with someone that even the stars and sounds of guitar produce echoes of his love interest in his mind.
As the song progresses, the singer explains how he is surprised at the things he does, "Mostly whenever you're around me". His behavior changes, and he finds himself doing things that are uncharacteristic of him. He walks with a spring in his step like he has wings, but he bumps into things, signifying the sense of intoxication that he experiences due to his love. Each time he lays his eyes on his love interest, he loses control over himself and becomes defenseless like a limp glove.
Overall, Pearson's "Like Someone in Love" is about how love can change and transform an individual. It portrays the magical, almost mystical effect that being in love has on people.
Line by Line Meaning
Lately, I find myself out gazing at stars,
Recently, I've been staring at the stars outside especially at night.
Hearing guitars like someone in love.
I'm hearing the sound of guitars as if I'm in love.
Sometimes the things I do astound me,
At times, I surprise myself with the things I do.
Mostly whenever you're around me.
This happens mostly when you're with me.
Lately I seem to walk as though I had wings,
It appears that I'm walking with wings on my feet- carefree and light.
Bump into things like someone in love.
I'm careless and clumsy that I even bump into things.
Each time I look at you,
Whenever I lay my eyes on you,
I'm limp as a glove,
I become weak and powerless.
And feeling like someone in love.
I feel as if I'm in love with you.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BURKE, JIMMY VAN HEUSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind