In 1932, he moved with his family from Memphis to Detroit. In Detroit, he studied music in high school and played with the Plantation Music Orchestra.
Eventually, Wilson would write scores for Ellington, Basie, and Gillespie. In the fifties, he performed with small groups led by Buddy Collette, Curtis Counce and Leroy Vinnagar and began a career as one of the finest west coast arrangers, working in film and television. His behind-the-scenes association with Ellington intensified, and continued until Duke's death in 1974.
I Concentrate on You
Gerald Wilson Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And trouble begins to brew,
Whenever the Winter winds become too strong,
I concentrate on you.
When fortune cries "Nay! Nay!" to me
And people declare "You're through!",
Whenever the blues become my only song,
On your smile so sweet, so tender,
When at first your kiss I decline.
On the light in your eyes when I surrender,
And once again our arms intertwine
And so, when wise men say to me
That love's young dream never comes true,
To prove that even wise men can be wrong,
I concentrate on you.
The lyrics of Gerald Wilson Orchestra's song "I Concentrate on You" convey a message about finding solace and strength in love during difficult times. The opening lines reflect a sense of gloom and trouble as the skies look gray and winter winds become strong. However, instead of succumbing to these negative influences, the singer chooses to concentrate on their significant other as a source of comfort and hope.
The lyrics further describe how even when fortune turns against them and people declare their defeat, the singer turns to their loved one to overcome the blues. The mention of their smile and tender embrace highlights the power of their partner's presence and affection. The act of surrendering to their love and feeling the warmth in their eyes strengthens the singer's resolve.
In the final verse, the lyrics challenge the belief that love's dreams never come true by asserting that even wise men can be wrong. By focusing on their loved one, the singer proves that love can defy the expectations and doubts imposed upon it.
Overall, "I Concentrate on You" is a testament to the transformative power of love, depicting how it becomes a guiding force in navigating through life's hardships and uncertainties.
Line by Line Meaning
Whenever skies look gray to me
In times of sadness and despair
And trouble begins to brew
When difficulties and problems arise
Whenever the Winter winds become too strong
When faced with harsh and challenging circumstances
I concentrate on you
I focus my thoughts and emotions on you
When fortune cries "Nay! Nay!" to me
When luck seems to be against me
And people declare "You're through!"
When others doubt and underestimate me
Whenever the blues become my only song
When sadness and melancholy consume me
I concentrate on you
I redirect my attention and energy towards you
On your smile so sweet, so tender
On the beauty and warmth of your smile
When at first your kiss I decline
Initially rejecting your affectionate gesture
On the light in your eyes when I surrender
On the spark of love in your eyes when I finally give in
And once again our arms intertwine
And we embrace each other tightly
And so, when wise men say to me
And thus, when knowledgeable individuals tell me
That love's young dream never comes true
That the idealized notion of love is often unattainable
To prove that even wise men can be wrong
To demonstrate that even the knowledgeable can make mistakes
I concentrate on you
I focus my thoughts and emotions on you
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, O/B/O DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind