Ed's father, Ben, was a drummer who played with Andy Kirk for sixteen years during the 1930s and 1940s. Ed was raised in Los Angeles, California and attended Thomas Jefferson High School, which was also attended by Art Farmer, Dexter Gordon and Chico Hamilton. Thigpen first worked professionally in New York City with the Cootie Williams orchestra from 1951-1952 at the Savoy Ballroom. After working with Dinah Washington, Gil Melle, Oscar Pettiford, Eddie Vinson, Paul Quinichette, Ernie Wilkins, Charlie Rouse, Lennie Tristano, Jutta Hipp, Johnny Hodges, Dorothy Ashby, Bud Powell, and Billy Taylor, he replaced guitarist Herb Ellis in the Oscar Peterson Trio in 1959 in Toronto, Canada.
After leaving Peterson he recorded one album as a leader for Verve, Out Of The Storm of 1966. He then toured with Ella Fitzgerald from 1967-1972, after which he settled in Copenhagen, Denmark. In Denmark, Thigpen worked with a variety of artists, including Alice Babs, Kenny Drew, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Ernie Wilkins, Svend Asmussen, Clark Terry, Milt Jackson, Monty Alexander and Thad Jones
Body And Soul
Ed Thigpen Lyrics
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For you I sigh, for you dear only
Why haven't you seen it
I'm all for you body and soul
I spend my days in longing
And wondering why it's me you're wronging
I tell you I mean it
I can't believe it
It's hard to conceive it
That you'd turn away romance
Are you pretending
It looks like the ending
Unless I could have just one more chance to prove, dear
My life a wreck you're making
You know I'm yours for just the taking
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul
My life a wreck you're making
You know I'm yours for the very taking
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul
The lyrics of Ed Thigpen's song, "Body and Soul," expresses the longing of the singer for the affection of another person. From the very start, the singer reveals that they are sad and lonely, and they have eyes only for the person they are addressing. Even though this person has not reciprocated their feelings or even acknowledged them, the singer is still all for them, body, and soul.
The second verse finds the singer questioning why the person has not returned their affection. The singer is in pain, and they wonder why the person would turn away a chance at romance. They are hopeful that this isn't the end and they might have another chance to show the person how much they mean to them. However, it is clear that the constant rejection is making the singer's life miserable.
The final verse suggests that the person the singer is addressing knows they have the singer completely under their spell. Despite being hurt repeatedly, the singer is willing to surrender themselves entirely to this person, body and soul. The lyrics are a powerful expression of unrequited love and the pain it can cause.
Line by Line Meaning
My heart is sad and lonely
I am overwhelmed with sadness since you left me.
For you I sigh, for you dear only
All I do is think about you, and I long to be with you again.
Why haven't you seen it
I wonder why you have not realized my feelings for you yet.
I'm all for you body and soul
I am completely and utterly devoted to you, mind and body.
I spend my days in longing
Every day is a struggle for me, as I yearn for your affection.
And wondering why it's me you're wronging
I don't understand why you treat me poorly, despite my love for you.
I tell you I mean it
I want to emphasize the sincerity and depth of my feelings for you.
I'm all for you body and soul
Once again, I repeat how devoted I am to you, not only physically but emotionally as well.
I can't believe it
It is hard for me to accept that you would reject the love I have to give.
It's hard to conceive it
I find it difficult to imagine that you would pass up a chance at a romantic relationship.
That you'd turn away romance
I am dismayed and puzzled by your rejection of any romantic gestures I make towards you.
Are you pretending
I wonder if you are just acting like you don't have feelings for me, rather than being truthful.
It looks like the ending
From my perspective, it seems like this is the end of our relationship, but I'd like to have one more chance.
Unless I could have just one more chance to prove, dear
I am hopeful that if you give me one more opportunity, I can show you how much I care for you.
My life a wreck you're making
Since you left me, my life has been a disaster and it is all because of you.
You know I'm yours for just the taking
Despite everything that has transpired, I am still here, ready and willing to be with you if you'll have me.
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul
I am more than willing to give myself to you completely, without any hesitation.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: PAUL MICHAEL BARRY, PHIL SIMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind