Etta Jones (November 25, 1928 – October 16, 2001) was an American jazz sing… Read Full Bio ↴Etta Jones (November 25, 1928 – October 16, 2001) was an American jazz singer whose critical success and relative commercial obscurity (she never had a hit record) earned her a reputation in her lifetime as a "jazz musician's jazz singer".

She is noted for her elegant interpretations of standards, ballads, and blues. Her characteristic inflections have sometimes prompted comparisons to stylistic devices employed by Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. Jones' recordings, particularly her debut record (Don't Go To Strangers, 1960), have earned wide admiration in a new generation of listeners.

She had three Grammy nominations, for the Don't Go to Strangers LP in 1960, Save Your Love for Me in 1981, and My Buddy in 1999.

Jones had a musical partnership of more than thirty years with tenor sax player Houston Person, who received equal billing with her. He also produced her albums and served as her manager.

Jones was born in Aiken, South Carolina, and raised in Harlem. She died at the age of 72 from cancer. She was survived by her husband, John Medlock, and a granddaughter.

How Deep Is The Ocean
Etta Jones Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

How much do I love you?
I'll tell you no lie
How deep is the ocean?
How high is the sky?

How many times a day do I think of you?
How many roses are sprinkled with dew?

How far would I travel
To be where you are?
How far is the journey
From here to a star?

And if I ever lost you, how much would I cry?
How deep is the ocean?
How high is the sky?

How far would I travel
To be where you are?
How far is the journey
From here to a star?

And if I ever lost you, how much would I cry?
How deep is the ocean?

How high is the sky?
How high is the sky?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Etta Jones's song "How Deep Is the Ocean" express the depth of love that the singer has for their beloved. The first two lines set the stage for the rest of the song, with the singer asking a question that cannot be answered with a specific number or distance. The use of rhetorical questions is a way for the singer to express their love without trying to quantify it, as it is immeasurable.

The second stanza starts with the same rhetorical question as the first but adds the imagery of dew-covered roses. This portrays the beauty and fragility of the love that the singer feels, just like the delicate dew droplets on the roses. The third stanza continues with the same theme of distance and journey, with the singer stating they would travel as far as it takes to be with their beloved or even to a distant star.

The final stanza is the most vulnerable, as the singer expresses their fear of losing their beloved and how much they would cry if that were to happen. The repetition of the opening rhetorical question reinforces the idea that love cannot be measured or quantified, but it can still pack a powerful emotional punch.

Overall, the lyrics to "How Deep Is the Ocean" convey a sense of boundless love and devotion, and the use of rhetorical questions and vivid imagery make the sentiment even more poignant.

Line by Line Meaning

How much do I love you?
I want to express my love for you

I'll tell you no lie
I will be honest with you

How deep is the ocean?
I'm pondering the depth of my love for you

How high is the sky?
My love for you is immeasurable, like the sky

How many times a day do I think of you?
You are always on my mind

How many roses are sprinkled with dew?
You are unique and special to me

How far would I travel
I would go to great lengths

To be where you are?
Just to be with you

How far is the journey
I'm wondering about the distance

From here to a star?
Between me and outer space, which is vast

And if I ever lost you, how much would I cry?
You mean everything to me