Szabó was born in Budapest and began playing guitar at the age of 14, inspired by jazz music on the Voice of America broadcasts. He escaped Hungary and moved to the United States in 1956, a year of attempted revolt against Soviet-dominated Communist rule, and attended the Berklee School of Music in Boston. In 1958, he was invited to perform at the Newport Jazz Festival. Szabó performed with the Chico Hamilton quintet from 1961 to 1965, and beginning in 1966 he recorded a well-received span of albums under his own name on the Impulse! label.
In the late 1960s he co-founded the short-lived Skye record label along with Cal Tjader and Gary McFarland. On the Skye label, Szabo recorded his album with Lena Horne in October and November 1969. Szabo had been part of Horne's backup band when she performed at The Nugget in Nevada in November 1966 and when she performed (with Harry Belafonte) at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas in September 1969.
His playing incorporated elements of folk music from his native Hungary and rock music's use of feedback. His composition "Gypsy Queen" became a hit for Santana in 1970 (see "Black Magic Woman"). Szabo's album for Impulse!, Wind, Sky And Diamonds, features "The California Dreamers", a vocal-ensemble consisting of Ron Hicklin, Al Capps, Loren Farber, John Bahler, Tom Bahler, Ian Freebairn-Smith, Sally Stevens, Sue Allen and Jackie Ward. During his solo career, he performed with artists such as Ron Carter, Paul Desmond, Lena Horne and Bobby Womack.
Gabor felt he was never fully accepted as a jazz artist in the US. During a 1977 engagement at the Catamaran Hotel in San Diego, he complained to the audience about George Benson's success with "Breezin'" (composer, Bobby Womack). He indicated that he had recorded that song before Benson and that Benson had basically stolen the arrangement from him. His version can be heard on the High Contrast album with Bobby Womack.
He died in Budapest in 1982 from liver and kidney disease while on a visit to his homeland, partly to find treatment for the drug habit he had been battling for years.
People
Gabor Szabo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
People who need people,
Are the luckiest people in the world
We're children, needing other children
And yet letting a grown-up pride
Hide all the need inside
Acting more like children than children
Lovers are very special people
With one person one very special person
A feeling deep in your soul
Says you were half now you're whole
No more hunger and thirst
But first be a person who needs people
People who need people
Are the luckiest people in the world
With one person one very special person
A feeling deep in your soul
Says you were half now you're whole
No more hunger and thirst
But first be a person who needs people
People who need people
Are the luckiest people in the world
The song "People" by Gabor Szabo is a powerful and emotional piece about the human need for connection and companionship. The lyrics describe how people who need other people are the luckiest in the world, highlighting the importance of relationships and the role they play in our lives. The song touches on several themes, including love, friendship, and the sense of fulfillment that comes from being part of a community.
The first verse emphasizes the idea that we all need other people, despite our age or status. The lyrics suggest that we often try to mask our vulnerability and need for connection with a facade of independence and pride. The second verse focuses on the special bond between lovers, highlighting how one person can provide a sense of wholeness and completeness to another. The chorus repeats the central message of the song, reminding us that those who embrace their need for others are the luckiest people in the world.
Overall, "People" is a beautiful and poignant song that celebrates the power of human connection. Its message is timeless and universal, reminding us that no matter who we are or where we come from, we all need other people in our lives to feel whole and happy.
Line by Line Meaning
People,
Human beings,
People who need people,
Individuals who require others for emotional support and companionship,
Are the luckiest people in the world
Are fortunate because they have relationships that fulfill their emotional needs and bring them happiness,
We're children, needing other children
Like children, we need others for support and reassurance,
And yet letting a grown-up pride
Despite this need, our pride and ego as adults prevent us from admitting it,
Hide all the need inside
Resulting in us hiding our emotional needs from others,
Acting more like children than children
In this regard, we act more immature than even actual children,
Lovers are very special people
Romantic partners are highly valued individuals,
They're the luckiest people in the world
They are especially fortunate to have a partner whom they love and who loves them in return,
With one person one very special person
Having one romantic partner whom one loves deeply,
A feeling deep in your soul
An intensely emotional sensation within oneself,
Says you were half now you're whole
Indicating that a person feels incomplete without their romantic partner, but whole and fulfilled with them,
No more hunger and thirst
One's emotional needs are now satisfied,
But first be a person who needs people
The first step is acknowledging one's own emotional needs and recognizing the value of others in fulfilling them,
People who need people
Individuals who recognize the importance of emotional relationships and rely on others for support and fulfillment,
Are the luckiest people in the world
These individuals are fortunate to have their emotional needs met and experience happiness as a result.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bob Merrill, Jule Styne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rich Herrera
In my opinion; this is the definitive, the best rendition of this song that I have ever heard. Very soulful. It touches me. I would like to know who is playing that gorgeous sounding bass. Could that be Albert Stinson?
Cliff Works
yeah i read it was Louie
Cliff Works
bass coulda been fellow Hungarian Louie Kabok
Robert Pincus
My love for Gabor started here. Thank you for sharing it. I have it on a Japanese CD.
רונן פטילון
One of the most diverse artists I have ever known.... big bravo !
vincenzo giuseppe Venezia
Superlativo!
Cliff Works
I guess this must've been with Jimmy Stewart on acoustic guitar? notice the clave is slightly different from the version on El Chico. wonder if the distortion was in the performance or in the upload to YT? only Gabor's guitar seems to have it. Long live Gabor!! RIP
syssuz
Jimmy amazing!
Robert Pincus
FYI everybody. This cut is from More Sorcery, but since then it became a CD bonus cut from The Sorcerer.
Cliff Works
please credit all musicians thanks