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.
Sunny
Erroll Garner Lyrics
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And I had nothing but shadows
Then one morning you passed
And I brightened at last
Now I greet the day and complete the day
With the sun in my heart
All my worry blew away
When you taught me how to say
Grab your coat and get your hat
Leave your worry on the doorstep
Just direct your feet
To the sunny side of the street
Can't you hear a pitter-pat?
And that happy tune is your step
Life can be so sweet
On the sunny side of the street
I used to walk in the shade
With those blues on parade
But I'm not afraid
This Rover crossed over
If I never have a cent
I'd be rich as Rockefeller
Gold dust at my feet
On the sunny side of the street
Grab your street
Erroll Garner’s “On the Sunny Side of the Street” is a vibrant and upbeat song that celebrates love and hopefulness. The singer starts by describing his loneliness, stating that he walked and talked alone, with nothing but shadows for company. But everything changes when he sees his lover in the morning; his mood lifts, and the sun shines in his heart. The singer expresses gratitude to his lover for teaching him how to be happy and carefree when he instructs him to grab his coat, leave his worries behind, and head towards the sunny side of the street. The singer hears his lover's footsteps; matching his own cheerful tune, he feels that life is beautiful and that he can conquer anything.
Garner’s song is a beautiful ode to optimism and the transformative power of love. The song speaks of overcoming depression and difficult times by changing one's perception of the world. The singer acknowledges that he had "blues on parade," but he is no longer afraid. He feels like he has "crossed over" to the sunny side of the street where life is sweet, and he feels like a millionaire. The song's cheerful melody and lyrics remind listeners of the profound impact that love and hope can have on one's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Walked with no one and talked with no one
I was all alone and didn't have anyone to share my thoughts or feelings with
And I had nothing but shadows
My life was filled with darkness and emptiness
Then one morning you passed
You came into my life unexpectedly
And I brightened at last
You brought light and happiness to my dull and lonely existence
Now I greet the day and complete the day
Thanks to you, I start and end my day on a positive note
With the sun in my heart
I feel happy and content inside
All my worry blew away
My worries and troubles disappeared
When you taught me how to say
You taught me how to enjoy life and be optimistic
Grab your coat and get your hat
Get ready to step outside
Leave your worry on the doorstep
Forget your troubles and enjoy the present moment
Just direct your feet
Take yourself to
To the sunny side of the street
A positive and happy outlook on life
Can't you hear a pitter-pat?
Listen to the sound of your happy heart beating
And that happy tune is your step
Your positive attitude makes you walk with a spring in your step
Life can be so sweet
Life can be enjoyable and fulfilling
On the sunny side of the street
If you have a positive outlook on life
I used to walk in the shade
I used to have a negative attitude and view of life
With those blues on parade
My daily life was filled with sadness and melancholy
But I'm not afraid
But now, I am not afraid of life's challenges
This Rover crossed over
My life has changed for the better
If I never have a cent
Even if I have no money
I'd be rich as Rockefeller
I'd feel wealthy and happy with what I have
Gold dust at my feet
I have everything I need to be happy
On the sunny side of the street
As long as I have a positive outlook on life
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind