This is classic Herbie Hancock, and what puts him apart from the pack of ex… Read Full Bio ↴This is classic Herbie Hancock, and what puts him apart from the pack of exceptional jazz pianists. It is quiet, with absolutely no hurry, relaxed, yet very deep emotionally and intellectually. Someone new to jazz will find this completely accessible, while the experienced jazz listener will continue to be amazed at Herbie's genius. The song reminds of Speak Like a Child and Goodbye to Childhood, both from his early pivotal album by the former title. His playing on these is so beautiful and introspective as to draw tears --

Solitude
Herbie Hancock Lyrics

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In my solitude you haunt me
With reveries of days gone by
In my solitude you taunt me
With memories that never die

I sit in my chair
I'm filled with despair
There's no one could be so sad

With gloom everywhere
I sit and I stare
I know that I'll soon go mad

In my solitude
I'm praying

Dear Lord above
Send back my love

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Herbie Hancock's song Solitude speak of the deep aching and longing of missing someone intensely. The very first line "In my solitude you haunt me" sets the tone for the rest of the song, where the singer expresses how their memories and thoughts of the person they miss the most continue to disturb and preoccupy them even when they are alone. The lines "With reveries of days gone by" and "memories that never die" show that this longing is for someone who is no longer present and has perhaps passed away.

The imagery described in the lyrics is that of a person sitting in a chair, consumed by despair, with a sense of gloom that is pervasive. The lines "There's no one could be so sad...I know that I'll soon go mad" suggests that this longing has perhaps become unbearable, and that the person is at risk of losing their mind. The final lines in the song "Dear Lord above, Send back my love" show a kind of desperation, a prayer that this person wants their loved one to return to them, to fill the void that has been created by their absence. The song is a poignant portrayal of the depth of emotion that can be experienced in solitude, especially in the context of missing someone dearly.

Line by Line Meaning

In my solitude you haunt me
When I'm alone, I can't help but think of you and how you used to be present in my life.

With reveries of days gone by
My thoughts are filled with bittersweet memories of our past together.

In my solitude you taunt me
Even though I know you're no longer with me, it feels like you're still here and tormenting me in my loneliness.

With memories that never die
My mind keeps going back to the times we shared, but no matter how much time passes, the memories of you never fade away.

I sit in my chair
I'm stationary and unmoving, trapped in my own thoughts.

I'm filled with despair
My emotions are overwhelmed with sadness and hopelessness.

There's no one could be so sad
I feel like no one can truly understand how I'm feeling, and my sadness is unique to my own experience.

With gloom everywhere
Everything around me feels bleak and depressing, adding to the weight of my emotions.

I sit and I stare
My mind is blank and I'm lost in my own melancholy.

I know that I'll soon go mad
The constant pain and sorrow is driving me to the brink of insanity.

In my solitude
When I'm alone and left to my own thoughts and feelings.

I'm praying
I'm pleading to a higher power for a way to find solace and relief from my misery.

Dear Lord above
A reference to God, who is often associated with providing comfort and guidance in times of struggle.

Send back my love
I long for the return of the person who brought light into my life and filled my heart with love.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON, EDDIE DE LANGE, IRVING MILLS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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