In addition, he performed very frequently with other artists, including Bill Withers on "Just the Two of Us" (a song still in regular rotation on radio today) and Phyllis Hyman on "Sacred Kind of Love". He is also remembered for his take on a Dave Brubeck classic, called "Take Another Five", as well as for his hit "Soulful Strut". His work continues to inspire jazz artists even today.
Washington was born in Buffalo, New York, 12 December 1943. Regarded as one of the revolutionaries in jazz music and is considered one of the greatest saxophone players in modern jazz history. He led many others to follow in his footsteps.
Washington's history was music-filled. His mother was a church chorister, and his father was a collector of old jazz 78s and a saxophonist as well, so music was everywhere in the home. He grew up with the great jazz men and big band leaders like Benny Goodman, Fletcher Henderson, and others like them. At the age of 8, with the desire for him to be more than he could be, Grover Sr. gave Jr. a saxophone. He practiced and sneaked into clubs to see famous Buffalo blues musicians.
He left Buffalo and played with a mid-west group called the Four Clefs. He was drafted into the US Army shortly thereafter, but this was to be to his advantage, as he met drummer Billy Cobham. Cobham, a mainstay in New York City, introduced Washington to many New York musicians. After leaving the Army, Washington freelanced his talents around New York City, eventually landing in Philadelphia in 1967.
Grover's big break came at the expense of another artist. Alto sax man Hank Crawford was unable to make a recording date with Prestige Records, and Washington took his place, even though he was a backup. This led to his first album, Inner City Blues. He was talented, and displayed heart and soul with soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones. Refreshing for his time, he made headway into the jazz mainstream. His fifth album, 1974's Mister Magic was a commercial success, and introduced guitarist Eric Gale in as a near-permanent member in Washington's arsenal.
A string of acclaimed records brought Washington through the 1970s, which culminated in the signature piece for everything Washington would do from then on. 1980's Winelight was the album that defined everything Washington was about. The album was smooth, fused with R and B and easy listening feel. Washington's love of basketball, especially the Philadelphia 76ers, led him to dedicate his first track, Let It Flow to Julius Erving (Dr. J). The highlight of the album, and a main staple of radio airplay everywhere, was his great collaboration with soul artist Bill Withers, Just The Two of Us. It was also the final step away from Motown, landing him on Elektra Records and into a new era of jazz excellence. The album went platinum in 1981, and also won Grammy Awards in 1982 for Best R and B Song ("Just The Two of Us"), and Best Jazz Fusion Performance ("Winelight"). "Winelight" was also nominated for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
From that point, Washington is credited (or scorned, as some may say) for giving rise to a new batch of talent that would make its mark in the late 80s and early 90s. He is blamed for bringing Kenny G to the forefront, but also credited with bringing such smooth jazz artists as Walter Beasley, Steve Cole, Pamela Williams, Najee, George Howard, and The Philadelphia Experiment into popular attention.
The tragedy and irony of Washington's life was that while he was able to get his big break from another artist's absence, Washington lived long enough to bring smooth jazz to the last points of the old millennium, but didn't outlive Hank Crawford, whose absence gave him his big break (and is still alive, as of 2005). On December 17th, 1999, while waiting in the green room after taping four songs for the The Early Show, at CBS Studios in New York City, Washington collapsed. He was taken to St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at about 7:30 p.m. His doctors determined that he had suffered a massive heart attack.
Grover Washington Jr.'s legacy lives on in the futures of up-and-coming jazz artists, and his life is celebrated from college campuses all around the nation to the hallowed streets of his own Philadelphia, his adopted hometown.
Look of Love
Grover Washington Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is in your eyes
A look your smile can't
disguise
The look of love
Is saying so much more than
Just words could every say
Well it takes my breath away
[Chorus]
I can hardly wait to hold you
Feel my arms around you
How long I have waited
Waited just to love you
Now that I have found you
You've got the look of love
It's on your face
A look that time can't erase
Baby be mine, tonight
Let this be just the start of
So many nights like this
Let's take a lovers vow
And seal it with a kiss
[Chorus]
Don't ever go
Don't ever go
I love you so
The look of love
Let this be just the start of
So many nights like this
Let's take a lover's vow
And baby we'll seal it with a kiss
[Chorus]
The lyrics of "The Look of Love" by Grover Washington Jr. are full of passion and longing for someone. In the first verse, it is clear that the person being addressed has a certain expression that gives away their feelings, despite any attempt to hide them. It's a look that hints at love and affection, and it's impossible for the singer's heart to ignore it. The second verse reinforces this point, suggesting that the look of love is more potent than words could ever be. The singer is overwhelmed by their emotions and the love that they feel for this person.
The chorus expresses the singer's desire and impatience to be with this person, to hold them in their arms, and to love them. The essence of the song is encapsulated in the chorus, where the singer says, "Now that I have found you, you've got the look of love, and baby, be mine tonight." The singer is making a plea to the person, asking them not to ever go, expressing their love, and promising to make many nights like this, filled with love and passion. The song is an ode to the power of love, to the feeling of being overwhelmed by passion, and to the desire to be with someone forever.
Line by Line Meaning
The look of love
The expression on your face that conveys your feelings towards me
Is in your eyes
I can see the love you feel for me in your eyes
A look your smile can't disguise
Your smile can't hide the love that is obvious from your eyes
Is saying so much more than just words could ever say
The look of love is more expressive than any words that could be said
And what my heart has heard
The love that you convey through your eyes has touched my heart
Well it takes my breath away
It is such a powerful feeling that it leaves me breathless
I can hardly wait to hold you
I am so excited to be close to you and hold you in my arms
Feel my arms around you
I want to embrace you and feel your body close to mine
How long I have waited
I have been waiting for this moment for a very long time
Waited just to love you
I have been waiting to express my love for you
You've got the look of love
I can see the expression of love on your face
It's on your face
Your face is showing the love that you feel for me
A look that time can't erase
The expression of love on your face will remain eternal
Baby be mine, tonight
I want to be with you tonight
Let this be just the start of so many nights like this
I hope that we will have many more nights like this together
Let's take a lovers vow
Let's make a promise to each other to love and cherish each other
And seal it with a kiss
Let's express our love for each other with a kiss
Don't ever go
Please don't ever leave me
I love you so
I love you very much
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BURT BACHARACH, BURT F BACHARACH, HAL DAVID
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nguyen Rojas
Es extraordinario. Para mí, la mejor versión que se ha hecho de esta canción.
Phillip Collier
Jean Carne is sublime
Sexy smooth vocals
The Real Big Deal
I first saw Grover perform at the Greater Jacksonville Jass festival in Jacksonville in the 1990's. It was, and still remain, one of the best performance I've ever witness live. R.I.P. Grover
Crazy zouzou
Lucky guy!
I was too young.
Lucas Mendes
Pra mim a música mais romântica,poucas pessoas assim como eu tem o conhecimento de uma boa música
Elisio Nhantumbo
Grandes tempos do Motown! Ainda se fazia música com alma...
yuh
Timeless classic.
Aldo Dolci
great band and singer ! Love them...!
Shaded by Shawnie
I first heard this as a teenager fell in love with it and still
HECTOR PINEDA SAX
Me encanta ese tema !! no pasa de moda !! sensualidad pura