Raised in Syracuse, New York, she found success in the 70s as a model, working in New York and Paris (where she shared an apartment with Jerry Hall and Jessica Lange), before rising to public prominence as a singer and personality.
Jones secured a record deal with Island Records, which resulted in a string of club hits. The three disco albums she recorded - Portfolio (1977), Fame (1978), and Muse (1979) - generated dance singles such as Sorry That's The Trouble, I Need A Man, and a classic cover of La Vie En Rose. During this period, she also became a muse to Andy Warhol, appearing in his portraits and accompanying him to Studio 54 on many occasions.
As the 70s drew to a close, Jones adapted the emerging New Wave music to suit a different style, a significant departure from her previous output that resulted in some of her strongest work. Still with Island, and now working with producers Alex Sadkin and Chris Blackwell at Compass Point Studios, and with the considerable talents of Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare (Sly & Robbie) behind her, she released the acclaimed Warm Leatherette (1980) and Nightclubbing (1981). These included re-imaginings of songs by Sting, Iggy Pop, The Pretenders, Roxy Music, Flash And The Pan, The Normal, and Tom Petty, as well as originals like the innuendo-filled Pull Up To The Bumper and the haunting I've Seen That Face Before (Libertango). Parallel to her musical shift was an equally dramatic visual departure; Jones - working heavily with style artist Jean-Paul Goude - adopted a severe, androgynous look that enhanced her already striking presence, the iconic cover of Nightclubbing exemplifying this new identity. Her collaboration with Sadkin and Blackwell continued with the dub reggae-influenced album Living My Life, which featured Nipple To The Bottle, The Apple Stretching, and the Jones-penned and much-sampled My Jamaican Guy.
Later in the 80s, she worked with Trevor Horn for the conceptual musical collage Slave to the Rhythm (1985), and with Nile Rodgers for Inside Story (1986) - her first album away from the Island label. Inside Story produced her last US Hot 100 hit to date, I'm Not Perfect (But I'm Perfect For You), while Bulletproof Heart in 1989 produced the #1 US club hit Love on Top of Love - Killer Kiss, produced by C+C Music Factory's David Cole and Robert Clivilles. Though a chart regular in the UK Grace Jones never achieved mainstream musical success in the US, but most of her singles became huge hits in the dance underground.
Jones' strong visual presence was extended to her stage work. Her performances were unique spectacles as she adopted various personas and wore outlandish costumes throughout, particularly during her years with Goude. Her most memorable performances include the Paradise Garage in 1985, wherein she collaborated with legendary visual artist Keith Haring for her costume and the extraordinary One Man Show filmed in Drury Lane Theatre London and in New York and released on video in 1982 (it is yet to be re-released).
In 2008 she returned with the album "Hurricane".
Victor Should Have Been a Jazz Musician
Grace Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The concert was over, there was still a band playing, the rap up,
The "booguh" played with his hands, I close my eyes, and look at him,
Victor should have been a jazz musician,
I said to myself, Victor should have been a jazz musician,
I looked at his face, and I saw Victor, looked at his smile, and I saw Victor,
Victor should have been a jazz musician,
Victor should have been a jazz musician,
And the people dancing on the floor, dancing on the floor, were so high,
You should have seen Victor smile, you should have seen Victor smile,
As they danced all the while all around on the floor, and he laughed,
Victor should have been a jazz musician,
Oh, Victor should have been a jazz musician,
He was playing so nice, the jazz musician,
Ah, ah,
He's living in a fast beat, in a city that's hot,
Telling all the Latinos and Puerto Ricans, Victor seems happy, but he doesn't even know himself, he's gotta look inside to know his first love,
Victor was a Jazz musician, he was playing so nice, Victor was a Jazz musician, (?) Victor was a Jazz musician,
Victor loves his music, he loves his music, somewhere, he plays his music, somewhere,
Victor is a jazz musician,
Jazz.
The lyrics of Grace Jones’s “Victor Should Have Been A Jazz Musician” revolve around the idea of a missed opportunity. Grace is watching a band play after a Nina Simone concert and sees a man playing the drums with his hands. She closes her eyes and imagines that the man is Victor, who Grace believes should have become a jazz musician. As the people on the floor dance to the music, Victor smiles, happy to be playing. Grace laments the fact that Victor, who loves his music, is living in a hot, fast-paced city and doesn’t know himself well enough to pursue his passion.
Line by Line Meaning
I went to a concert, to see Nina Simone,
I attended a concert featuring Nina Simone as the main performer.
The concert was over, there was still a band playing, the rap up,
Despite the conclusion of the concert, a band was still performing and wrapping up their set.
The 'booguh' played with his hands, I close my eyes, and look at him,
The musician used his hands to create music, causing me to close my eyes and focus on his performance.
Victor should have been a jazz musician,
In my opinion, the musician named Victor possesses the talent and characteristics necessary to be a successful jazz musician.
I said to myself, Victor should have been a jazz musician,
I repeated my belief that Victor has the potential to excel as a jazz musician.
I looked at his face, and I saw Victor, looked at his smile, and I saw Victor,
When observing his face and smile, it became clear to me that he is Victor.
I looked at his hair, and thought, Victor should have been a jazz musician,
Even the musician's hairstyle was indicative of his potential to succeed in the jazz music industry.
And the people dancing on the floor, dancing on the floor, were so high,
The individuals dancing on the dance floor were enjoying themselves to the fullest extent possible.
You should have seen Victor smile, you should have seen Victor smile,
Victor was beaming with joy as he watched the crowd dance and enjoy his music.
As they danced all the while all around on the floor, and he laughed,
Victor laughed as the individuals danced around him on the dance floor.
Victor should have been a jazz musician,
Again, I reiterated my belief that Victor has the potential to succeed as a jazz musician.
Oh, Victor should have been a jazz musician,
I expressed my belief once more that Victor's musical talent is well-suited for the jazz genre.
He was playing so nice, the jazz musician, Ah, ah,
Victor's musical performance was exceptionally pleasing to listen to and indicative of his skill as a jazz musician.
He's living in a fast beat, in a city that's hot,
Victor resides in a busy, fast-paced city that is known for its high temperatures.
Telling all the Latinos and Puerto Ricans, Victor seems happy, but he doesn't even know himself, he's gotta look inside to know his first love,
Victor appears to be content with his current lifestyle, yet he may not truly understand his passions and should look inward to discover his true musical calling.
Victor was a Jazz musician, he was playing so nice, Victor was a Jazz musician, (?) Victor was a Jazz musician,
These repeated statements emphasize my belief that Victor is well-suited to succeed in the jazz music industry.
Victor loves his music, he loves his music, somewhere, he plays his music, somewhere,
Victor is incredibly passionate about his music and continues to express his talent, although it may not be in the public eye.
Victor is a jazz musician,
The final line further emphasizes my belief that Victor is ideally suited to excel within the jazz music industry.
Jazz.
The word 'jazz' serves as a final exclamation point, highlighting Victor's potential and the overall love of jazz music.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRUCE WOOLLEY, GRACE JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@vrum642
I went to a concert, to see Nina, Simone,
The concert was over, there was still a band playing, the rap up,
The "booguh" played with his hands, I close my eyes, and look at him,
Victor should have been a jazz musician,
I said to myself, Victor should have been a jazz musician,
I looked at his face, and I saw Victor, looked at his smile, and I saw Victor,
I looked at his hair, and thought,
Victor should have been a jazz musician,
Victor should have been a jazz musician,
And the people dancing on the floor, dancing on the floor, were so high,
You should have seen Victor smile, you should have seen Victor smile,
As they danced all the while all around on the floor, and he laughed,
Victor should have been a jazz musician,
Oh, Victor should have been a jazz musician,
He was playing so nice, the jazz musician,
Ah, ah,
He's living in a fast beat, in a city that's hot,
Telling all the Latinos and Puerto Ricans, Victor seems happy, but he doesn't even know himself, he's gotta look inside to know his first love,
Victor was a Jazz musician, he was playing so nice, Victor was a Jazz musician, (?) Victor was a Jazz musician,
Victor loves his music, he loves his music, somewhere, he plays his music, somewhere,
Victor is a jazz musician,
Jazz.
@claytonbrandao9394
Música genialmente produzida por ninguém mais, ninguém menos Nile Rodgers. Notas brilhantemente encaixadas em sua Fender. Um Jazz bem leve e romântico, contemporâneo. Nile Rodgers provou aqui que seu talento vai muito além da Disco e Soul. Elevou a Grace Jones num patamar de Diva. Música única, umas das maiores de todos os tempos. Obrigado Nile e Grace.
@bobhipjazzhopdantas4624
Solo Trumpet mute amazing Mac Gollehon.
@crissouza167
👏💖
@heliojoaquimmanoel1529
Como amo essa música! Me transporta à lugares de outra dimensão
@eternaldoorman5228
I had forgotten how much I love this song and how much happiness I got from it!
@danielesteve8359
Forgotten? :/
@joycebell9284
I absolutely love this song. Grace Jones have such extraordinary Voice.
@jairolimeira
I like. Is a wonderfull! Greats!
@marcospereiradasilvamarcao4725
Musica que marca uma época maravilhosa
@ronaldosilva3029
Essa mulher não é desse mundo. Espetacular! 💜