Born James Oscar Smith on 8th December 1925 in Norristown, Pennsylvania, USA. Smith was influenced by both gospel and blues. He first achieved prominence in the 1950s where his recordings became popular on jukeboxes before there were commonly used terms to describe his unique musical flavor. In the sixties and seventies he helped create the jazz style known as soul jazz.
Smith employed a unique technique to emulate a string bass player on the organ. Although he played walking bass lines on the pedals on ballads, for uptempo tunes, he would play the bass line on the lower manual and use the pedals for emphasis on the attack of certain notes. His solos were characterised by percussive chords mixed with very fast melodic improvisation with the right hand.
Smith was a prolific recording artist. He first recorded with the Blue Note label in 1956. His early albums with Blue Note sold very well, improving its financial viability and aiding the label's efforts to promote other artists. They include Home Cookin' , The Sermon!, Midnight Special, Prayer Meetin' , and Back at the Chicken Shack.
Smith signed to Verve Records label in 1963. Smith's albums with Verve include: The Cat, The Boss, Root Down, Peter & The Wolf, Any Number Can Win, The Incredible..., Bashin', Got My Mojo Workin', Christmas Cookin', and Organ Grinder Swing.
His influence has been felt across multiple generations and musical styles; nearly every subsequent jazz organist owes a large debt to Smith. The Beastie Boys (who sampled the bassline from Smith's "Root Down (and Get It)"—and saluted Smith in the lyrics—for their own hit "Root Down"), Medeski, Martin & Wood, and The Hayden-Eckert Ensemble are among the better known contemporary bands that pay tribute to Smith's sensibilities and sound. The Acid Jazz movement also reflects Smith's influences.
Smith died on 8th February 2005, in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA.
There are several other artists with this name: 1. an American jazz trumpeter, 2. an American jazz drummer, 3. a British guitarist for the band Foals, 4. blues guitarist Jimmy "Guitar" Smith.
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See Wikipedia for a disambiguation page for Jimmy Smith#Musicians.
I Didn't Know What Time It Was
Jimmy Smith Lyrics
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Yesterday, perhaps
Danced with Jim and Paul
And kissed some other chaps
Once I was young
But never was naive
I thought I had a trick or two
And now I know I was naive
I didn't know what time it was
Then I met you
Oh, what a lovely time it was
How sublime it was too
I didn't know what day it was
You held my hand
Warm like the month of May it was
And I'll say it was grand
Grand to be alive, to be young
To be mad, to be yours alone
Grand to see your face, feel your touch
Hear your voice say, "I'm all your own"
I didn't know what year it was
Life was no prize
I wanted love and here it was
Shining out of your eyes
I'm wise and I know what time it is now
Grand to be alive, to be young
To be mad, to be yours alone
Grand to see your face, feel your touch
Hear your voice say, "I'm all your own"
I didn't know what year it was
Life was no prize
I wanted love and here it was
Shining out of your eyes
I'm wise and I know what time it is now
The lyrics of Jimmy Smith's song "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" describe the singer's realization of their own youthful naivete and how meeting their lover has changed their perception of time, love, and life. The first stanza sets the stage by invoking memories of the singer's youth: they danced with Jim and Paul and kissed other people. However, the singer asserts that they were never naive, that they always thought they had a "trick or two up [their] imaginary sleeve," indicating a sense of self-assuredness that comes with youth. Yet, they also acknowledge that they were naive, which sets up the contrast with the rest of the song.
The second stanza is where the singer introduces the love interest of the song. They didn't know what time it was until they met their lover, indicating that this person has brought clarity and focus to their life. The singer describes the time they spent together as lovely and sublime, which highlights the transformative power of love. In the third stanza, the singer celebrates the physical sensations of love, from holding hands to feeling the warmth of the month of May. The repetition of "It was grand" reinforces the idea that the singer's life has been elevated by this love.
The final stanza repeats the line "I didn't know what year it was" and provides some additional context for the singer's prior state of mind. Life was "no prize," indicating a sense of dissatisfaction or disillusionment. The singer only wanted love, and they found it shining in their lover's eyes. The use of the present tense in the final line, "I'm wise and I know what time it is now," suggests that the singer has come to a greater understanding about the nature of love and its transformative power.
Overall, the lyrics to "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" speak to the ways in which love can bring clarity and purpose to a person's life, even if they were previously naive or disillusioned.
Line by Line Meaning
Once I was young
At some point in my life, I was young.
Yesterday, perhaps
This was a while ago, maybe yesterday.
Danced with Jim and Paul
I danced with some people called Jim and Paul.
And kissed some other chaps
I also kissed some other guys.
But never was naive
Even then, I wasn't gullible or inexperienced.
I thought I had a trick or two
I believed I had some skills or knowledge up my sleeve.
Up my imaginary sleeve
But in reality, it was all in my imagination.
And now I know I was naive
Looking back, I realize I was indeed inexperienced and naive.
I didn't know what time it was
At that point in my life, I was oblivious to the reality around me.
Then I met you
But then I met you, someone who changed my perspective.
Oh, what a lovely time it was
It was such a beautiful and enjoyable experience.
How sublime it was too
It was simply perfect and had a touch of elegance to it.
You held my hand
I remember you holding my hand.
Warm like the month of May it was
It was a beautiful and warm moment, like a sunny day in May.
And I'll say it was grand
It was a grand and beautiful experience.
Grand to be alive, to be young
It was such an amazing feeling to be alive and young.
To be mad, to be yours alone
I was crazy about you and happy to be yours alone.
Grand to see your face, feel your touch
Just seeing your face and feeling your touch was so delightful.
Hear your voice say, "I'm all your own"
Hearing your voice say that you were mine alone was just amazing.
Life was no prize
Before I met you, life wasn't really exciting or fulfilling.
I wanted love and here it was
All I really wanted was love, and I found it in you.
Shining out of your eyes
I could see love shining in your eyes.
I'm wise and I know what time it is now
But now, after experiencing love with you, I'm wiser and know what is truly important in life.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., IMAGEM MUSIC INC
Written by: LORENZ HART, RICHARD RODGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind