After completing a year at Eastman, Graham returned to Los Angeles after being invited by Jeff Hamilton to join the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (CHJO); him becoming the youngest member of the acclaimed orchestra being only 19 years old at the time.
He has traveled extensively in North America, Europe and Asia and has performed and recorded with some of the most respected names in music, including Michael Buble, Eliane Elias, Benny Golson, James Moody, John Pizzarelli, Larry Goldings, Jon Hendricks, Nancy Wilson, Kurt Elling, Billy Taylor, Benny Green, Bill Charlap, Paquito D'Rivera, Curtis Fuller, Wycliffe Gordon, Terell Stafford, Clark Terry, Snooky Young, and Wynton Marsalis.
The Nearness of You
Graham Dechter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That thrills and delights me, oh no
Its just the nearness of you
It isn't your sweet conversation
That brings this sensation, oh no
Its just the nearness of you
All my wildest dreams come true
I need no soft lights to enchant me
If you'll only grant me the right
To hold you ever so tight
And to feel in the night the nearness of you
In this song, "The Nearness of You" by Graham Dechter, the singer talks about how it's not the external factors that excite and thrill him but it's the nearness of his loved one that gives him a sense of completeness. The first two lines of the song are quite reflective in their tone where the singer is explaining how it's not the traditional things like a pale moon that excites him. He is looking to get comfort from the physical closeness and presence of his loved one. The next two lines in this song continue in the same vein where the singer says that it is not the sweet conversation that brings about any excitement or sensations, rather it is just the nearness of his loved one that gives him that unmatchable feeling.
The next verse then goes on to explain how when his loved one is near him, in his arms, he feels like all of his wildest dreams have come true. He explains how he doesn’t need any soft lights to enchant him if his loved one is willing to give him that feeling of closeness. In the last few lines, the singer requests his loved one to let him hold her tight, as to feel the nearness of her in the night is all he needs.
Line by Line Meaning
Its not the pale moon that excites me
The singer is not impressed or fascinated by the moon's light.
That thrills and delights me, oh no
The moon's light does not bring any excitement or pleasure to the singer.
Its just the nearness of you
The singer finds happiness and ecstasy simply from being near the person they love.
It isn't your sweet conversation
The artist is not moved or affected by the person's words or speech.
That brings this sensation, oh no
The artist is not experiencing any specific feeling or emotion from the person's conversation.
Its just the nearness of you
The singer's overwhelming sensation comes only from being near the one they love.
When you're in my arms and I feel you so close to me
The singer experiences the desired closeness only when the person is physically near them and in their arms.
All my wildest dreams come true
Being close to the person they love makes the artist feel complete and fulfilled, as if they are living their ideal life.
I need no soft lights to enchant me
The artist does not require any special lighting or ambiance to feel enamored or captivated.
If you'll only grant me the right
The artist is asking the person for permission or consent to do something.
To hold you ever so tight
The singer wants to hold the person physically and closely to feel complete.
And to feel in the night the nearness of you
The artist desires to spend the night with the person to feel the intimacy and closeness they crave.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HOAGY CARMICHAEL, NED WASHINGTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind