His build earned him a nickname and a signature song, "Mr. Five by Five" ("he's five feet tall and he's five feet wide"). His best known recordings are probably those of "Going to Chicago" with Basie and "Harvard Blues" with the famous saxophone solo by Don Byas. George Frazier, author of "Harvard Blues", called Rushing's distinctive voice, "a magnificent gargle".
He died of leukemia in 1972 in New York City.
Heartaches
Jimmy Rushing Lyrics
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Heartaches
My loving you meant only heartaches
Your kiss was such a sacred thing to me
I can't believe it's just a burning memory
Heartaches
Heartaches
I should be happy with someone new
But my heart aches for you
In Jimmy Rushing's classic song Heartaches, he conveys the painful aftermath of a love that has turned sour. He starts off repeating the word 'heartaches' as if it's a mantra, indicating the intensity of his feelings. Rushing then goes on to lament how his love for the person he is addressing only brought him pain and sorrow. The kiss that was once sacred has turned into a painful memory for him. Yet, even as he tries to move on and find happiness with someone new, he can't help but feel a deep sense of longing and heartache for the one he loved before.
What's particularly striking about Rushing's lyrics is the depth of the emotion that comes through so clearly. Heartaches is a powerful articulation of heartbreak that will resonate with anyone who has gone through the pain of losing love. It's a reminder that sometimes love can hurt, and that moving on is never as easy as it may seem.
Line by Line Meaning
Heartaches
Suffering from emotional pain
Heartaches
Continuing emotional pain
My loving you meant only heartaches
My love for you only caused me emotional pain
Your kiss was such a sacred thing to me
Your kiss was a precious and treasured experience for me
I can't believe it's just a burning memory
I cannot accept that the memory of our relationship is now painful
Heartaches
Suffering from emotional pain
Heartaches
Continuing emotional pain
What does it matter how my heart breaks?
What is the significance of my emotional pain?
I should be happy with someone new
I should be content and satisfied with a new partner
But my heart aches for you
But I cannot overcome my emotional attachment and desire for you
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AL HOFFMAN, JOHN KLENNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind