His feathery keyboard touch is coupled with a lot of power and passion, a complete understanding of the blues and improvisation, and Terrasson is also a gifted arranger, putting his own personal stamp on well known tunes. He's been one of the jazz world's most talked about piano player/composers since he captured everyone's attention when he won the Thelonious Monk Competition in 1993.
Born in Berlin to a French mother and an American father, Terrasson's distinctive piano style reflects his old and new influences. In his youth, he spent years studying and listening to recordings by Bud Powell, Bill Evans and Thelonious Monk. He began playing piano at age five, and his parents were always playing classical music on the stereo. He began listening intently to Billie Holiday and Miles Davis records that belonged to his mother when he was 11, and at that point, he was hooked on playing jazz piano.
He studied jazz at the Berklee College of Music in Boston with many other new traditionalists as classmates, including people like Danilo Perez. After graduation, he spent a year jamming at clubs in Chicago and New York before hooking up with ensembles led by his mentors, including Arthur Taylor and Betty Carter. At a recording session, Terrasson met Carter. The vocalist told him she needed a pianist to begin a tour the next day, and he accepted, spending nearly a year on the road with her.
Among many other sessions, Terrasson performed on Jimmy Scott's 1996 release, Heaven, for Warner Bros. He also did arranging for that record. Terrasson continues to perform around the world as leader of his own trio, and has made several European and Japanese tours. He's one of the most sought-after sidemen in jazz, constantly in demand for touring jazz bands and recording dates. On his 1996 sophomore effort, Reach, he's ably backed by the same musicians who accompanied him on his debut: bassist Ugonna Okegwo and drummer Leon Parker. Rendezvous followed in 1997, and a year later Terrasson returned with Alive. 1999's What It Is emphasized Terrasson's compositional skills as well as technique. Paris followed two years later.
Ne me quitte pas
Jacky Terrasson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then you might as well take the sun away
All the birds that flew in a summer sky
When our love was new and our hearts were high
When the day was young and the night was lo-ong
And the moon stood still for the night birds song
If you go away, If you go away, If you go away
Like no day has been or will be again
We'll sail on the sun, we'll ride on the rain
We'll talk to the trees and worship the wind
Then if you go-o I'll understand
Leave me just enough love to fill up my hand
If you go away, If you go away, If you go away
If you go away as I know you must
There'll be nothin' left in the world to trust
Just an empty room full of empty space
Like the empty look I see on your face
Can I tell you now as you turn to go
I'll be dying slowly till your next hello
If you go away, If you go away, If you go away
But if you stay, I'll make you a night
Like no night has been or will be again
I'll sail on your smile, I'll ride on your touch
I'll talk to your eyes that I-I love so much
But if you go, I won't cry
For the good's gone from goodbye
If you go away, If you go away, If you go away
The song "Ne Me Quitte Pas" or "If You Go Away" by Jacky Terrasson is a poignant love song that expresses the singer's heartbreak at the idea of his lover leaving him. The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song, with the singer saying that if his lover departs, it would be like taking the sun away. The loss of their love would be so great that even the birds in the sky, which once flew high when they first fell in love, would no longer have a reason to soar. The night would be so long that the moon would stand still, barely able to offer comfort. The repetition of "If you go away" emphasizes the gravity of the situation, highlighting the singer's desperation at the thought of his lover leaving.
However, the singer offers a glimmer of hope in the second verse. He promises that if his lover stays, he will make her a day like no other, where they will experience pure joy in each other's company. They will sail on the sun and ride on the rain, talking to the trees and worshiping the wind, celebrating the abundance of nature that surrounds them. If she must leave, he understands, but he asks for just enough love to fill up his hand, so he can continue to hold onto the memories that they once shared.
The final verse reveals the singer's true agony at the thought of his lover's departure. He knows that once she is gone, there will be nothing left in the world for him to trust. The room they once shared will be empty and the look on her face as she walks out the door will be one of emptiness. He tells her that he will be dying slowly until their next hello. But if she stays, he promises he will give her a night like no other, where he will sail on her smile, ride on her touch, and talk to her eyes that he loves so much. Even if she ultimately chooses to go, he will not cry, as the goodness of their time together will remain with him always.
Line by Line Meaning
If you go away on this summer day
If you choose to leave me during the warmth and brightness of this beautiful season
Then you might as well take the sun away
Your absence would be as devastating as the sun disappearing from the sky
All the birds that flew in a summer sky
Every beautiful memory we shared in the summer
When our love was new and our hearts were high
When we first fell in love and our hope and happiness were at their peak
When the day was young and the night was lo-ong
The time when our days seemed endless and filled with possibilities, and our nights were filled with wonder and magic
And the moon stood still for the night birds song
A beautiful moment frozen in time, symbolizing our love and connection
If you go away, If you go away, If you go away
The repeated plea to not abandon this love
But if you stay I'll make you a day
If you choose to stay, I promise to create a beautiful day for us
Like no day has been or will be again
This day will be like no other, filled with love and happiness
We'll sail on the sun, we'll ride on the rain
Together we will conquer any obstacle and enjoy all that life has to offer
We'll talk to the trees and worship the wind
We will find beauty and connection in the world around us
Then if you go-o I'll understand
If you must leave, I will respect your decision
Leave me just enough love to fill up my hand
Even though you may be gone, I will hold onto the love we shared
If you go away, If you go away, If you go away
Still, the desperation to keep this love alive
If you go away as I know you must
Even though I don't want to face it, I know you will eventually leave
There'll be nothin' left in the world to trust
Without you, the world will lose its beauty and trustworthiness
Just an empty room full of empty space
Without your presence, everything will feel hollow and meaningless
Like the empty look I see on your face
A reflection of the emptiness and sadness you will carry with you when you leave
Can I tell you now as you turn to go
The final plea before you leave
I'll be dying slowly till your next hello
Without you, life will feel like a slow death, and the only thing that can save me is your return
But if you stay, I'll make you a night
If you choose to stay, I will create a beautiful and unforgettable night for us
Like no night has been or will be again
This night will be unique and unforgettable, filled with love and passion
I'll sail on your smile, I'll ride on your touch
Your smile and touch will guide and inspire me
I'll talk to your eyes that I-I love so much
Through our eyes, we will communicate everything we feel for each other
But if you go, I won't cry
If you must leave, I will be strong and accept it without tears
For the good's gone from goodbye
Even though goodbye is never good, I will accept it with grace and dignity
If you go away, If you go away, If you go away
The repetition of the plea, hoping against hope that you will stay
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JACQUES ROMAN BREL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind