Perhaps best known for his work as the compelling counter-voice to singer a… Read Full Bio ↴Perhaps best known for his work as the compelling counter-voice to singer and wife, Stacey Kent, Jim Tomlinson (b: 8th Sept 1966) is increasingly recognised as a distinctive saxophone voice in his own right. The release of his debut album as leader, Only Trust Your Heart (Candid 2000), was greeted with enthusiastic and universal acclaim. His follow up CD, Brazilian Sketches (2003), was named Jazz CD Of The Week by the Observer newspaper in the UK.

Tomlinson did not study music formally until well into his 20s. He played saxophone and ran a band as a hobby whilst studying for his degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics at University College, Oxford. It was only after graduating and finding himself drawn to London ’s jazz scene that he enrolled at the Guildhall School Of Music in 1990. It was at the Guildhall that his musical and romantic relationship with Stacey blossomed.

Since then, Tomlinson has worked in a wide variety of groups, from Brian Ferry to experimental big band composer, Michael Garrick. His own quartet has appeared at clubs and festivals across Europe. Most recently, he has toured almost exclusively with Stacey in Europe, USA and the Far East, reserving time to perform in a quintet dedicated to the music of Lester Young with fellow saxophonist and Guildhall graduate, Mark Crooks.

When not performing, Jim shares his passion for skiing with Stacey, a sport at which they both excel. Only touring commitments in Japan in March 2006 prevented them from racing in the Nastar US Championships for which they both qualified this season.

Tomlinson’s most recent CD, The Lyric (2005) features Stacey Kent extensively and is the first release on his own record label, Token. The album recently hit the charts in Poland, France, Spain, Hong Kong and the UK. The Lyric featuring Stacey Kent has also just been awarded "Album of the Year" at the 2006 BBC Jazz Awards, announced 13th July 2006.

The Lyric will be released in the USA in September 2006.

If I Were A Bell
Jim Tomlinson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ask me how do I feel,
Now that we're cosy and clinging,
Well sir, all I can say is
If I were a bell I'd be ringing!

From the moment we kissed goodnight,
That's the way I just gotta behave,
And if I were a lamp I'd light,

Or if I were a banner I'd wave!

Ask me how do I feel,
Little me with my quiet upbringing,
Well sir, all I can say is
If I were a gate I'd be swinging!

And if I were a watch,
I'd start popping my spring,
Oh, and if I were a bell
I'd go "Ding dong ding dong ding!".

Ask me how do I feel
From this chemistry lesson I'm learning,
Well sir, all I can say is
If I were a bridge I'd be burning!

Well, I knew my moral would crack
From the wonderful way you looked,
Boy, if I were a duck I'd quack,
Or if I were a goose I'd be cooked!

Ask me how do I feel
Now that we're fondly caressing,
And if I were a salad,
I know I'd be splashing my dressing!

Or if I were a season,
I'd surely be Spring,
Yes, and if I were a bell,
Say, if I were a bell,

If I were a bell
I'd go "Ding dong ding dong ding!".

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "If I Were a Bell" by Stacey Kent is a playful love song that uses many different metaphors to express the excitement and happiness that the singer feels. She starts by asking to be asked how she feels, and her response is that if she were a bell, she would be ringing because she's so happy. She continues by using several other metaphors like a lamp, a banner, a gate, and a watch to express how she feels.

The chorus of the song repeats the line "If I were a bell, I'd go ding dong ding dong ding!" which adds to the playful and fun nature of the song. As the song progresses, the singer uses more metaphors to express her feelings, like a bridge that's burning or a salad splashing its dressing. The lyrics also hint at the physical attraction between the singer and her lover with lines like "I knew my moral would crack from the wonderful way you looked" and "now that we're fondly caressing."

Overall, the lyrics of "If I Were a Bell" are a lighthearted and playful way to express the joy and excitement of newfound love.

Line by Line Meaning

Ask me how do I feel,
Requesting to know how the singer is feeling

Now that we're cosy and clinging,
Referring to the intimate moment they are currently sharing

Well sir, all I can say is
Starting to provide a response to the previous question

If I were a bell I'd be ringing!
Expressing overwhelming excitement and joy

From the moment we kissed goodnight,
Recalling a previous romantic moment shared together

That's the way I just gotta behave,
Describing how the singer's behavior was influenced by the romantic moment

And if I were a lamp I'd light,
Comparing oneself to a lamp, suggesting that they would radiate joy

Or if I were a banner I'd wave!
Comparing oneself to a banner, suggesting that they would celebrate the moment

Little me with my quiet upbringing,
Describing the artist's background and personality

If I were a gate I'd be swinging!
Comparing oneself to a gate, suggesting that they would be excited and lively

And if I were a watch,
Exploring another comparison, this time with a watch

I'd start popping my spring,
Suggesting that the artist would be energized and lively

Oh, and if I were a bell
Continuing the previous comparison with a bell

I'd go "Ding dong ding dong ding!".
Expressing overwhelming excitement and joy

From this chemistry lesson I'm learning,
Referring to the romantic moment as a lesson that the singer is learning from

If I were a bridge I'd be burning!
Comparing oneself to a bridge, suggesting that they would be passionate and intense

Well, I knew my moral would crack
Acknowledging the potential ethical implications of the romantic moment

From the wonderful way you looked,
Explaining how the romantic moment occurred

Boy, if I were a duck I'd quack,
Comparing oneself to a duck, suggesting that they would loudly express their excitement

Or if I were a goose I'd be cooked!
Comparing oneself to a goose, suggesting that they would be overwhelmed with joy

Now that we're fondly caressing,
Describing the current intimate moment shared together

And if I were a salad,
Continuing the pattern of comparisons but introducing a humorous one

I know I'd be splashing my dressing!
Suggesting that the singer would be exuding excitement

Or if I were a season,
Another comparison, this time with a season

I'd surely be Spring,
Suggesting that the singer would be full of life and vitality

Yes, and if I were a bell,
Returning to the original comparison with a bell

Say, if I were a bell,
Invoking the same comparison but in a more playful way

If I were a bell
Repeating the same comparison again for emphasis

I'd go "Ding dong ding dong ding!".
Restating the overwhelming excitement and joy associated with the comparison

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARY C BROCKERT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@DancingBop

8y↑1

"If I Were a Bell" ça swingue comme j'aime... Danser ce be-bop là est un vrai régal... Je ne me lasse pas de l'entendre en boucle... Quelle voix Stacey et Jim au sax... C'est dingue !!! / It swings as I like it ... Dancing bebop there is a real treat ... I never tire of hearing loop ... What voice Stacey and Jim sax ... This is crazy !!!