(2) One of the most accessible of all jazz pianists, Gene Harris' soulful style (influenced by Oscar Peterson and containing the blues-iness of a Junior Mance) was immediately likable and predictably excellent. After playing in an Army band (1951-1954), he formed a trio with bassist Andy Simpkins and drummer Bill Dowdy which was, by 1956, known as the Three Sounds. The group was quite popular, and recorded regularly during 1956-1970 for Blue Note and Verve. Although the personnel changed and the music became more R&B-oriented in the early '70s, Harris retained the Three Sounds name for his later Blue Note sets. He retired to Boise, ID, in 1977, and was largely forgotten when Ray Brown persuaded him to return to the spotlight in the early '80s. Harris worked for a time with the Ray Brown Trio and led his own quartets in the years to follow, recording regularly for Concord and heading the Phillip Morris Superband on a few tours; 1998's Tribute to Count Basie even earned a Grammy nomination. While awaiting a kidney transplant, he died on January 16, 2000, at the age of 66. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi
It Might as Well be Spring
Gene Harris Lyrics
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I'm as jumpy as a puppet on a string
I'd say that I had spring fever
But I know it isn't spring
I am starry-eyed and vaguely discontented
Like a nightingale without a song to sing
Oh, why should I have Spring fever
I keep wishing I were somewhere else
Walking down a strange new street
Hearing words that I have never heard
From a girl I've yet to meet
I'm as busy as a spider spinning daydreams
I'm as giddy as a baby on a swing
I haven't seen a crocus or a rosebud or a robin on the wing
But I feel so gay in a melancholy way
That it might as well be spring
It might as well be spring
The song 'It Might as Well be Spring' by Gene Harris describes a feeling of restlessness and longing for change that can be attributed to the arrival of spring. The lyrics predominantly focus on metaphors that express the caged feeling of being unable to break free or unroot oneself. The first two lines of the first stanza compare the restlessness of the singer with that of a willow tree in a windstorm and a puppet on a string, respectively. Both images convey a sense of being pulled in different directions, unable to find stability or control.
The restlessness continuing, the second stanza finds the singer starry-eyed and vaguely discontented, comparing themselves to a nightingale without a song to sing. This line metaphorically conveys the sense of being unable to express oneself in a way that feels fulfilling or satisfying. The singer expresses confusion over experiencing spring fever, a phenomenon typically experienced during spring, when it isn't even the season. The following stanza finds the singer daydreaming about being somewhere else, walking down a strange new street, and hearing words they've never heard from an unknown girl.
The fourth stanza contains a series of metaphors, describing how the singer is busy spinning daydreams and giddy like a baby on a swing. They go on to mention not having seen a crocus, a rosebud, or a robin, yet find themselves feeling gay in a melancholy way. The final line 'It might as well be spring,' encapsulates the entirety of the song's sentiment – the singer is feeling change on the horizon, the promise of a new season, new experiences, and spring's youthful pleasures.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm as restless as a willow in a windstorm
I'm feeling anxious and unsettled, unable to find my balance, much like a willow tree that sways wildly in the face of an intense windstorm.
I'm as jumpy as a puppet on a string
I'm feeling nervous and agitated, much like a puppet that is moved quickly and unpredictably by the strings attached to it.
I'd say that I had spring fever But I know it isn't spring
I'm feeling a sense of restlessness and excitement that usually comes with the arrival of spring, but I'm aware that it's not actually springtime.
I am starry-eyed and vaguely discontented Like a nightingale without a song to sing
I'm feeling a sense of longing and dissatisfaction, much like a nightingale that lacks its usual song and is unsure of what to do.
Oh, why should I have Spring fever When it isn't even spring?
I'm questioning why I'm feeling this way when it's not yet spring, and trying to make sense of my emotions.
I keep wishing I were somewhere else Walking down a strange new street Hearing words that I have never heard From a girl I've yet to meet
I'm daydreaming about being in a new, unfamiliar place and meeting someone new who can add a sense of excitement and newness to my life.
I'm as busy as a spider spinning daydreams I'm as giddy as a baby on a swing
I'm feeling busy, caught up in my own thoughts and fantasies, and am experiencing a sense of euphoria and joy, much like a baby on a swing.
I haven't seen a crocus or a rosebud or a robin on the wing But I feel so gay in a melancholy way That it might as well be spring
Despite not actually experiencing the sights and sounds normally associated with spring, I'm still feeling a sense of happiness tinged with sadness that is characteristic of the season.
It might as well be spring
Despite the fact that it's not actually spring, my emotions and feelings are so intense and reflective of the season that it might as well be spring.
Lyrics © IMAGEM MUSIC INC
Written by: OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN, II, OSCAR II HAMMERSTEIN, RICHARD RODGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind