Erroll Louis Garner was born on 15th June 1921 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and began playing the piano at the age of three. At the age of seven he began appearing on radio station KDKA in Pittsburgh with a group called the Candy Kids. By the age of eleven he was playing on the Allegheny riverboats. At the age of fourteen in 1937 he joined local saxophonist Leroy Brown.
He played locally in the shadow of his older pianist brother, Linton Garner, and moved to New York in 1944. He briefly worked with the bassist Slam Stewart, and though not a bebop musician, in 1947 he played with Charlie Parker on the famous "Cool Blues" session. Although his admission to the Pittsburgh music union was initially refused because of his inability to read music, they eventually relented in 1956 and made him an honorary member. Garner is credited with having a superb memory for music; after attending a concert by the Russian pianist Emil Gilels, Garner returned to his apartment and was able to play a large portion of the performed music.
His 1955 recording Concert by the Sea ranks among his very best work. Ironically this recording of a performance at an army base in Carmel, California, featuring Eddie Calhoun on bass and Denzil Best on drums, was made using relatively primitive sound equipment, but Garner's inventiveness and swing made its point in each tune. Other notable works include 1951's Long Ago and Far Away and 1974's Magician, both of which see Erroll perform a number of classic standards in his own style. Often the trio was expanded to add Latin percussion, usually a conga, with electric results.
What made Erroll easy to recognise were his trademark introductions, that seemed to make no sense but broke dramatically into his exposition of the tune he was to play, and the guitar strumming sound of his left hand, playing crotchet accompaniment to his rich-sounding right hand. This approach suggests that he was influenced by the iconic rhythm guitar work of Count Basie's long time guitarist, Freddie Green. But discerning listeners could find that while his even-four left hand was a fixture, it was far from being the only rhythmic approach he took to playing.
Embraceable You
Erroll Garner Lyrics
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Embrace me, you irreplaceable you!
Just one look at you
My heart grew tipsy in me,
You and you alone
Bring out the gypsy in me!
Above all, I want my arms about you!
Don't be a naughty baby,
Come to papa, come to papa, do!
My sweet embraceable you!
The lyrics to Erroll Garner's song "Embraceable You" are a declaration of love and desire for the subject of the song. The singer is asking to be embraced by their love interest, referring to them as "sweet" and "irreplaceable." Even one look at this person is enough to make the singer's heart flutter and awaken their hidden gypsy spirit. The singer is enamored with all of the person's charms and, above all, wants to hold them in an embrace. The use of the term "naughty baby" adds a playful tone to the song and implies a sense of lightheartedness in the request to be embraced by their love interest.
The lyrics are a testament to the universality of love and desire, as well as the power that one person can hold over another. The imagery of the heart growing tipsy and the gypsy coming out in the singer emphasizes the transformative power of love. Overall, the lyrics to "Embraceable You" capture the sentiment of falling head over heels for someone and feeling swept away by their presence.
Line by Line Meaning
Embrace me, my sweet embraceable you!
Hold me close, my dear and irreplaceable love!
Just one look at you
My heart grew tipsy in me,
With just a glance, my heart feels overwhelmed with delight,
You and you alone
Bring out the gypsy in me!
Only your presence can awaken my free-spirited nature,
I love all, the many charms about you!
I adore everything that makes you unique and special,
Above all, I want my arms about you!
Most of all, I desire to hold you close to my heart,
Don't be a naughty baby,
Come to papa, come to papa, do!
Don't be mischievous, my love, and come to me so I can embrace you tightly,
My sweet embraceable you!
You are my sweet and irresistible love!
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind