Jacqui Dankworth’s first forays onto the stage were as an actress, and a successful one at that. For many years Jacqui worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre and John Dexter's Company playing a multitude of critically acclaimed roles. Soon the plays turned into musicals and before long Jacqui was playing leading parts in the West End. But the singing bug had hit, and Jacqui left the lights of the London stage to focus on her own recording career.
The first thing Jacqui did was tour with brother Alec Dankworth's quintet, visiting Hawaii, Hong Kong and Indonesia. Jacqui then appeared as everything but the soldier in a staged performance of Stravinsky's The Soldier's Tale at the Purcell Room, London and worked with award winning jazz composer/saxophonist Tim Garland on a song cycle - ‘Songs Of Love And Liberty’, alongside singers Norma Winstone and Christine Tobin. In early 1998 Jacqui was invited to be the guest vocalist on a major world tour with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
Occasionally time allowed her to venture into the studio to record - her first work being a newly commissioned jazz reworking of A. E. Housman poetry, as a guest artist with the New Perspectives Ensemble. The album was voted Record of the Year in the Times!
My Romance
Jacqui Dankworth Lyrics
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My romance, doesn't need a blue lagoon standing by
No month of May, no twinkling stars
No hideaway, no soft guitar
My romance doesn't need a castle rising in Spain
Or a dance to a constantly surprising refrain
All at once I can make my most fantastic dreams come true
My romance doesn't need a castle rising in Spain
Or a dance to a constantly surprising refrain
And wide awake, I can make my most fantastic dreams come true
My romance, doesn't need a thing but you, but you
The lyrics of Jacqui Dankworth’s song “My Romance” convey a message that true love does not require the trappings generally associated with romance. The singer is expressing that her love interest is enough to ignite the passion within her. The phrase “romance” in the song represents the idea of an idealized and aesthetically pleasing love story. The first two lines of the song serve as a thesis statement, suggesting that romance does not require any materialistic things. The singer says that she does not need the moon, the blue lagoon, the month of May, twinkling stars, hideaways, or soft guitars to feel romantic.
The second verse further supports the idea that true romance can exist without external factors. The singer states that she does not need a castle in Spain or a dance with a surprising refrain; all she needs is the love of her partner. She emphasizes that she is capable of making their most fantastic dreams come true, simply through the power of their mutual love. The last line of the song reinforces this sentiment, serving as a refrain and driving home the idea that a true romance requires nothing but the presence of the beloved.
Line by Line Meaning
My romance, doesn't need to have a moon in the sky
The love I have doesn't require any kind of extraordinary embellishments like a moon in the sky.
My romance, doesn't need a blue lagoon standing by
I don't need a blue lagoon by my side for my love to keep flourishing.
No month of May, no twinkling stars
Even if there are no significant events or dazzling stars, my love will remain strong.
No hideaway, no soft guitar
I don't need a hidden place or music to make me feel romantic with my partner.
My romance doesn't need a castle rising in Spain
I don't need to be in a grand location like a castle in Spain for my love to flourish.
Or a dance to a constantly surprising refrain
A constantly surprising dance routine is not necessary for me to feel romance with my partner.
All at once I can make my most fantastic dreams come true
I can achieve all my wildest dreams with the person I love.
My romance, doesn't need a thing but you
All I need for my love to thrive is you, my partner.
Writer(s): RICHARD RODGERS, LORENZ HART
Contributed by Annabelle N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.