Mobley was born in Eastman, Georgia, but was raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey, near Newark. Early in his career, he worked with Dizzy Gillespie and Max Roach. He took part in one of the landmark hard bop sessions, alongside Art Blakey, Horace Silver, Doug Watkins and trumpeter Kenny Dorham. The results of these sessions were released as Horace Silver & the Jazz Messengers. They contrasted with the classical pretensions of cool jazz, with Mobley's rich lyricism being bluesier, alongside the funky approach of Horace Silver. When The Jazz Messengers split in 1956, Mobley continued on with pianist Horace Silver for a short time, although he did work again with Blakey some years later, when the drummer appeared on Mobley's albums in the early 60s.
During the 1960s, he worked chiefly as a leader, recording 25 albums for Blue Note Records, including Soul Station and Roll Call, between 1955 and 1970. He performed with many of the most important hard bop players, such as Grant Green, Freddie Hubbard, Sonny Clark, Wynton Kelly and Philly Joe Jones, and formed a particularly productive partnership with trumpeter Lee Morgan. Mobley is widely recognized as one of the great composers of originals in the hard-bop era, with interesting chord changes and room for soloists to spread out.
His 1961 album, Another Workout, while considered an instant classic, was inexplicably not released until 1985.
Mobley also spent a brief time in 1961 with Miles Davis, during the trumpeter's search for a replacement for John Coltrane. He is heard on the album Someday My Prince Will Come (alongside Coltrane, who returned for the recording of some tracks), and some live recordings (Miles Davis - In Person Friday And Saturday Nights At The Blackhawk, Complete and At Carnegie Hall). Though considered by some as not having the improvisational fire of Coltrane, Mobley was still a major voice on tenor saxophone, known for his melodic playing.
Mobley was forced to retire in the mid-1970s due to lung problems. He worked briefly with Duke Jordan before his death from pneumonia in 1986.
I Married an Angel
Hank Mobley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I have a lovely disposition
That's very strange in me
And life's as sweet as it can be
I've lots of courage and ambition
From every care my mind is free
So I repeat, with your permission
There's been a change in me!
Have you heard I married an angel
I'm sure that the change'll be awf'lly good for me
Have you heard an angel I married
To heaven she's carried this fellow with a kiss
She is sweet and gentle, so it isn't strange
When I'm sentimental, she loves me like an angel
Now you've heard, I married an angel
This beautiful change'll be awf'lly good for me
Have you heard I married an angel
I'm sure that the change'll be awf'lly good for me
Have you heard an angel I married
To heaven she's carried this fellow with a kiss
She is sweet and gentle, so it isn't strange
When I'm sentimental, she loves me like an angel
Now you've heard, I married an angel
The opening lines of Hank Mobley's "I Married an Angel" may conjure feelings of surprise or confusion: "There's been a change in me! / I have a lovely disposition / That's very strange in me / And life's as sweet as it can be." However, as the song continues, the listener is informed that this change can be attributed to the titular angel, whom the singer recently married. He goes on to describe her as "sweet and gentle" and capable of bringing out the best in him. Even when he is feeling sentimental or vulnerable, she loves him unconditionally, like an angel.
Overall, "I Married an Angel" is a joyful and romantic look at how love can transform a person. The singer is clearly thrilled by the changes he has undergone since marrying his angel, and sees her as a source of strength and inspiration in his life. The song's upbeat tempo and playful lyrics help to convey this sense of happiness and contentment, as the singer exclaims, "This beautiful change'll be awf'lly good for me!"
Line by Line Meaning
There's been a change in me!
I have undergone a transformation in my personality and behavior.
I have a lovely disposition
I now have a positive, pleasant outlook on life.
That's very strange in me
This change in my demeanor is unexpected and surprising.
And life's as sweet as it can be
I am enjoying life to the fullest.
I've lots of courage and ambition
I am now courageous and highly motivated.
From every care my mind is free
I am devoid of worries and anxieties.
So I repeat, with your permission
I want to share this news with you once again, if you don't mind.
Have you heard I married an angel
I got married to a person who is extremely kind and virtuous.
I'm sure that the change'll be awf'lly good for me
This new relationship will bring about many positive changes in my life.
To heaven she's carried this fellow with a kiss
She has brought a lot of joy and happiness into my life through her love and affection.
She is sweet and gentle, so it isn't strange
It is not surprising that she is such a loving, compassionate person.
When I'm sentimental, she loves me like an angel
Even when I am emotional and vulnerable, she continues to support and care for me.
Now you've heard, I married an angel
I wanted to share the news of my marriage to this wonderful person with you.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind