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.
Reach Out
Hank Mobley Lyrics
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Because all of your hope is gone,
And your life is filled with much confusion
Until happiness is just an illusion,
And your world around is crumblin' down;
Darling, reach out (come on girl, reach on out for me)
Reach out (reach out for me.)
I'll be there, with a love that will shelter you.
I'll be there to always see you through.
When you feel lost and about to give up
'Cause your best just ain't good enough
And you feel the world has grown cold,
And you're drifting out all on your own,
And you need a hand to hold:
Darling, reach out (come on girl, reach out for me)
Reach out (reach out for me.)
I'll be there, to love and comfort you,
And I'll be there, to cherish and care for you.
I'll be there to love and comfort you.
I can tell the way you hang your head,
You're without love and now you're afraid
And through your tears you look around,
But there's no peace of mind to be found.
I know what you're thinkin',
You're alone now, no love of your own,
But darling, reach out (come on girl, reach out for me)
Reach out (reach out for me.)
Just look over your shoulder
I'll be there, to give you all the love you need,
And I'll be there, you can always depend on me.
The lyrics to Hank Mobley's song "Reach Out" are a powerful message of comfort and support to someone who is struggling and feeling alone. The song opens with a description of a person who is overwhelmed by their life circumstances and feels like they've lost all hope. The singer urges them to reach out for help ("come on girl, reach on out for me"), promising to be there to provide the love and shelter they need.
The second verse addresses someone who is feeling defeated, despite their best efforts. The singer encourages them to reach out for a hand to hold, promising to be there to love, comfort, cherish, and care for them. The final verse acknowledges the depth of the person's pain and fear of being alone, but again assures them that they are not truly alone and that they can always depend on the singer for love and support.
Overall, the song is about the power of human connection and the importance of reaching out for help when we are struggling. Its message is one of hope and comfort, reminding listeners that they are not alone, and that there is always someone willing to help them through difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Now if you feel that you can't go on
If you are feeling like you cannot continue anymore
Because all of your hope is gone,
When everything you hoped for has failed you
And your life is filled with much confusion
When you have lost your sense of direction
Until happiness is just an illusion,
When even the idea of happiness feels impossible
And your world around is crumblin' down;
When everything around you is collapsing
Darling, reach out (come on girl, reach on out for me)
Ask for my help and support
Reach out (reach out for me.)
Extend your hand towards me and I'll take it
I'll be there, with a love that will shelter you.
I will provide you with love and support to protect you
I'll be there, with a love that will see you through.
My love and support will help you overcome this tough time
I'll be there to always see you through.
I will always be by your side and support you
When you feel lost and about to give up
When you are struggling and losing hope
'Cause your best just ain't good enough
When you feel like your efforts are not paying off
And you feel the world has grown cold,
When it feels like the world has stopped caring about you
And you're drifting out all on your own,
When you feel all alone and unsupported
And you need a hand to hold:
When you need someone to lean on and support you
Darling, reach out (come on girl, reach out for me)
Ask for my help and support
Reach out (reach out for me.)
Extend your hand towards me and I'll take it
I'll be there, to love and comfort you,
I will provide you with love and care to ease your pain
And I'll be there, to cherish and care for you.
I will always be there to protect and care for you
I'll be there to love and comfort you.
I will always be there to support and love you
I can tell the way you hang your head,
I can see how sad and hopeless you are
You're without love and now you're afraid
You feel unloved and scared of being alone
And through your tears you look around,
As you cry, you search for support and understanding in your surroundings
But there's no peace of mind to be found.
But there is no source of relaxation or relief
I know what you're thinkin',
I know what goes through your mind
You're alone now, no love of your own,
You feel alone and have no one to love you
But darling, reach out (come on girl, reach out for me)
Ask for my help and support
Reach out (reach out for me.)
Extend your hand towards me and I'll take it
Just look over your shoulder
Look around you for my presence
I'll be there, to give you all the love you need,
I will provide you with all the love and care that you need
And I'll be there, you can always depend on me.
I will always be there for you and support you no matter what
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edward Holland Jr., Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind