Scott was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to Authur and Justine Stanard Scott, the third in a family of ten. As a child Jimmy got his first singing experience by his mother's side at the family piano, and later, in church choir. At thirteen, he was orphaned when his mother was killed by a drunk driver.
He first rose to national prominence as "Little Jimmy Scott" in the Lionel Hampton Band when he sang lead on the late 1940s hit "Everybody's Somebody's Fool", recorded in December 1949, and which became a top ten R&B hit in 1950. Credit on the label, however, went to "Lionel Hampton and vocalists", so the singer's name did not appear on any of the songs. This omission of credit was not only a slight to Scott's talent but a big blow to his career. A similar professional insult occurred several years later when his vocal on "Embraceable You" with Charlie Parker, on the album One Night in Birdland, was credited to female vocalist Chubby Newsome.
Lionel Hampton gave him the stage name of "Little Jimmy Scott" because he looked so young, and was short and of slight build. However, it was his extraordinary phrasing and romantic feeling that made him a favorite singer of fellow artists such as Billie Holiday, Ray Charles, Frankie Valli, Dinah Washington, and Nancy Wilson.
In 1963, it looked as though Scott's luck had changed for the good. He was signed to Ray Charles' Tangerine Records label, under the supervision of Charles himself, creating what is considered by many to be one of the great jazz vocal albums of all time, Falling in Love is Wonderful.
Owing to obligations on a contract that Scott had signed earlier with Herman Lubinsky, the record was yanked from the shelves in a matter of days, while Jimmy was honeymooning. Forty years later this cult album became available to the public again. Scott disputes the "lifetime" contract; Lubinsky loaned Jimmy out to Syd Nathan at King Records for 45 recordings in 1957–58. Another album, The Source (1969), was not released until 2001.
Scott's career faded by the late 1960s and he returned to his native Cleveland to work as a hospital orderly, shipping clerk and as an elevator operator in a hotel.
Scott eventually resurfaced in 1991 when he sang at the funeral of his long-time friend Doc Pomus, an event that single-handedly sparked his career renaissance. Afterwards Lou Reed recruited him to sing back-up on the track "Power and Glory" from his 1992 album Magic and Loss, which was inspired, to an extent, by Pomus's death. Scott was seen on the series finale of David Lynch's television series Twin Peaks, singing "Sycamore Trees", a song with lyrics by Lynch and music by Angelo Badalamenti. Scott was featured on the soundtrack of the follow-up film, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me.
Also in attendance at Pomus's funeral was Seymour Stein, founder and operator of Sire Records, who released Scott's 1992 album All The Way, produced by Tommy Lipuma and featuring artists such as Kenny Barron, Ron Carter, and David "Fathead" Newman. Scott was nominated for a Grammy Award for this album.
He followed this up with the album Dream in 1994 and the jazz-gospel album Heaven in 1996. His next work, a critically acclaimed album of pop and rock interpretations entitled Holding Back The Years was produced by Gerry McCarthy and Dale Ashley. Released in the US on Artists Only Records in October 1998, it peaked at #14 on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart. In Japan, it won the prestigious Swing Journal Award for Best Jazz Album Of The Year (2000). The title track marked the first time in his career that Scott overdubbed his own harmony vocal tracks. Holding Back The Years features cover art by Mark Kostabi, liner notes by Lou Reed, and includes critically acclaimed versions of "Nothing Compares 2 U" (written by Prince), "Jealous Guy" (John Lennon), "Almost Blue" (Elvis Costello) and "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" (Elton John & Bernie Taupin).
In 1999, Scott's early recordings on the Decca label were re-released on CD, as were all of his recordings with the Savoy Label between 1952 and 1975 in a three-disc box set. In 2000, Scott signed to the Milestone jazz label, and recorded four critically acclaimed albums, each produced by Todd Barkan, and featuring a variety of jazz artists, including Wynton Marsalis, Renee Rosnes, Bob Kindred, Eric Alexander, Lew Soloff, George Mraz, Lewis Nash, as well as Jimmy's own touring and recording band "The Jazz Expressions". He also released two live albums, both recorded in Japan, featuring the Jazz Expressions.
In 2012, he joined the 11th annual Independent Music Awards judging panel to assist independent musicians' careers. For some years a new album entitled I Remember You was mentioned via various official channels, including Jimmy's official website.
He died on June 12, 2014, aged 88.
Legacy
Scott's career spanned sixty-five years. He performed with Charlie Parker, Sarah Vaughan, Lester Young, Lionel Hampton, Charles Mingus, Fats Navarro, Quincy Jones, Bud Powell, Ray Charles, Wynton Marsalis, and Peter Cincotti. He also performed with a host of musicians from other genres of music, such as David Byrne, Lou Reed, Flea, Michael Stipe, and Antony & The Johnsons.
Scott performed at President Dwight Eisenhower's (1953) and President Bill Clinton's (1993) inaugurations, where he sang the same song, "Why Was I Born?". Later, Scott appeared in live performances with Pink Martini, and continued to perform internationally at music festivals and at his own concerts until shortly before his death.
In 2007, Scott received the 2007 NEA Jazz Master Award. He also received the Kennedy Center's "Jazz In Our Time" Living Legend Award, and N.A.B.O.B.'s Pioneer Award in 2007. In September 2008 he did a "two-day video interview" at his Vegas home with the "Smithsonian Institute for the National Archives". Scott and his wife Jeanie lived in Las Vegas, Nevada after 2007, having previously living in Euclid, Ohio, for 10 years.
Little Jimmy Scott's "If I Ever Lost You" can be heard in the opening credits of the HBO movie Lackawanna Blues. He was also mentioned on The Cosby Show, when Clair and Cliff Huxtable bet on the year in which "An Evening In Paradise" was recorded. On August 17, 2013, at Cleveland State University in his hometown, Cleveland, Ohio, he was inducted into inaugural 2013 of the R&B Music Hall of Fame.
Someone to Watch Over Me
Jimmy Scott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Still we're often told seek and ye shall find
So I'm going to seek a certain girl I've had in mind
Looking everywhere, haven't found her yet
She's the big affair I cannot forget
Only girl I ever think of will regret
I'd like to add her initials to my monogram
There's a somebody I'm longing to see
I hope that she turns out to be
Someone to watch over me
I'm a little lamb who's lost in a wood
I know I could always be good
To one who'll watch over me
Although I may not be the man some girls think of
As handsome to my heart
She carries the key
Won't you tell her please to put on some speed
Follow my lead, oh how I need
Someone to watch over me
Someone to watch over me
Jimmy Scott's rendition of "Someone to Watch Over Me" is a beautiful love song that speaks of a man's longing for a specific girl. The first stanza sets up the idea that despite the common phrase "love is blind," people are still urged to search and find true love. The man in the song has been looking everywhere for the girl he has not yet found, though she is the "big affair" he cannot forget. He hopes to add her initials to his monogram and find someone to guide him in the right direction. This girl is the only one he thinks of and will regret not finding.
The second stanza paints a picture of a "little lamb" who is lost in the woods and hopes to find someone to watch over him. Though he may not be considered handsome to most women, he knows that she who has the key to his heart is the one he needs. He asks for someone to tell her to hurry and follow his lead, as he needs someone to "watch over" him. The overall meaning of this song is that the man desires someone to guide and protect him in life, and he hopes that this girl he has in mind could be that person.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a saying old says that love is blind
Love is often irrational and overlooking of flaws
Still we're often told seek and ye shall find
Despite the irrationality of love, it is advised to actively search for it
So I'm going to seek a certain girl I've had in mind
The singer has a specific person in mind whom he wants to pursue
Looking everywhere, haven't found her yet
Despite searching, he has not yet found this person
She's the big affair I cannot forget
This person holds significant emotional importance to the singer
Only girl I ever think of will regret
If he doesn't find this person, he will be filled with regret
I'd like to add her initials to my monogram
The singer wants to merge his identity with hers
Tell me where's the shepherd for this lost lamb
The singer feels like a lost sheep in need of guidance and direction
There's a somebody I'm longing to see
The singer is experiencing a deep longing for this person
I hope that she turns out to be
He is putting his hopes into this person and what she means to him
Someone to watch over me
He is seeking someone who can provide emotional support and protection
I'm a little lamb who's lost in a wood
The singer feels vulnerable and lost without the guidance of this person
I know I could always be good
He is willing to do whatever it takes to be deserving of her companionship
To one who'll watch over me
He sees this person as a caretaker who will provide him guidance and support
Although I may not be the man some girls think of
The singer is not necessarily what some women might consider attractive
As handsome to my heart
But in his mind, he knows he has personal qualities worth loving
She carries the key
This person holds the key to his emotional well-being and happiness
Won't you tell her please to put on some speed
He is desperate for this person to come into his life as soon as possible
Follow my lead, oh how I need
He is asking for her to follow his guidance and be a partner to him
Someone to watch over me
He reiterates his need for someone to provide emotional support and protection
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CAROLYN LEIGH, CY COLEMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alatar
Hauntingly beautiful, shame he was never given the recognition he deserved. .
1mespud
Thank you Mr. Scott for doing your part to help tame mankind with your talent and gift and making it possible for myself to accept life's crap when you sing and perform. Unlike the "Grammy Memorial snub", you will "never" be underestimated or forgotten
Zaidi Ademeit
THANK YOU(!) Jimmy Scott, for your glorious gift to the world. You will always live in the hearts and minds of people who have the immense opportunity and pleasure to hear your beautiful, soulful voice.
richbrig3
first saw you at the Cape May Jazz Festival, you blew me and the audience away my friend. I look forward to hearing you sing with the angels in heaven. Rest in peace
larry floyd
R.I.P...JIMMY SCOTT.... HEAVEN IS PROUD TO HAVE YOU AND YOUR TALENT.....
Chandler Fairchild
ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!
Lounett Holloway
Someone to watch over me is a beautiful song sung by Jimmy with a smooth heartfelt feeling.
Alex Mitchell
Amazing Voice
Peter Gerstenzang
RIP Jimmy. Your struggles are over.
Lorraine Fleming
Love you forever Jimmy!