Born Joseph Edward Filipelli in Brooklyn, New York, United States, over a long career, he played on many albums, retired to Florida for fifteen years, came back to music, and recorded a CD for Verve Records when he was in his 80s. Phillips performed in a variety of genres, including bebop, mainstream jazz, swing, jump blues and East Coast blues.
In the mid-1940s, Phillips was one of the anchors of the Woody Herman band, prior to going out on his own and prior to joining Jazz at the Philharmonic. He also played with the Woodchoppers, a small spin-off group that Herman led. His deep, strong and articulate playing with a very full sound contrasted him to his successors such as Stan Getz in the subsequent Herman bands.
Phillips recorded extensively for Clef Records, now Verve, in the 1940s and 1950s, including a 1949 album of small-group tracks under his leadership, with Buddy Morrow, Tommy Turk, Kai Winding, Sonny Criss, Ray Brown and Shelly Manne. He accompanied Billie Holiday on her 1952 Billie Holiday Sings album.
Phillips was a frequent player at the Odessa Jazz Party in Odessa, Texas, from 1971 to 1991.
Flip Phillips died in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in August 2001, at the age of 86
Spanish Eyes
Flip Phillips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Teardrops are falling from your Spanish eyes
Please, please don't cry
This is just adios and not goodbye
Soon I'll return
Bringing you all the love your heart can hold
Please say "Si, si"
Blue Spanish eyes
Prettiest eyes in all of Mexico
True Spanish eyes
Please smile at me once more before I go
Soon I'll return
Bringing you all the love your heart can hold
Please say "Si, si"
Say you and your Spanish eyes will wait for me
Say you and your Spanish eyes will wait for me
The song Spanish Eyes by Flip Phillips appears to be about a bittersweet love between two people, one of whom has blue Spanish eyes which are now filled with tears. Despite the sadness of the moment, the singer reassures their lover that any parting is just temporary, and they will return with all the love their heart could ever need. The lyrics are full of references to Spain and Mexico, culminating in a plea for the lover to wait for them.
The repeated mention of "Spanish eyes" is particularly interesting, as it suggests that the qualities of those eyes are somehow unique and special. This could be read as a metaphor for the lover's personality, or perhaps the singer's perception of them. Another noteworthy aspect of the lyrics is the way in which they seem to evoke a sense of place and culture, with references to Mexico and Spanish culture. This emphasis on location and cultural identity adds depth to the song.
In terms of musical elements, Spanish Eyes features a simple melody with a slow and steady tempo. The song is primarily driven by the vocals, with the instrumentation serving as a complement. The use of a saxophone adds a romantic quality, probably representing the voice of the singer, speaking through the music.
Line by Line Meaning
Blue Spanish eyes
The singer describes the person's eyes as blue and Spanish, signifying the unique beauty of their eyes.
Teardrops are falling from your Spanish eyes
The person is crying and the tears are falling from their Spanish eyes, which indicates sadness and longing.
Please, please don't cry
The singer asks the person not to cry, portraying their affection and care for the person.
This is just adios and not goodbye
The artist reassures the person that they are not saying goodbye forever, but only 'adios' which signifies their intention to return.
Soon I'll return
The artist reassures the person that they will return soon, indicating their eagerness to come back.
Bringing you all the love your heart can hold
The singer promises to bring the person a lot of love when they return, showing their affection for the person.
Please say 'Si, si'
The singer asks the person to say 'Si, si' which means 'yes, yes' in Spanish, showing their desire for the person to agree with their plan.
Say you and your Spanish eyes will wait for me
The artist asks the person to wait for them and their Spanish eyes to come back, showcasing their love and desire for the person.
Prettiest eyes in all of Mexico
The artist compliments the person's eyes by calling them the prettiest in all of Mexico, signifying their admiration for the person.
True Spanish eyes
The artist emphasizes the person's Spanish heritage, indicating their fondness for their cultural background.
Please smile at me once more before I go
The singer requests the person to smile at them once more before they leave, showcasing their love and affection for the person.
Say you and your Spanish eyes will wait for me
The artist reiterates their request for the person to wait for them and their Spanish eyes, showcasing their love and desire for the person.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: Carlos Villalobos, Garry Applebaum
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind