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.
Theme From "The Munsters"
Jimmy Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Visions of the things to be
The pains that are withheld for me
I realize and I can see
That suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
I can take or leave it if I please
That game of life is hard to play
I'm gonna lose it anyway
The losing card of some delay
So this is all I have to say
That suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
I can take or leave it if I please
The sword of time will pierce our skin
It doesn't hurt when it begins
But as it works it's way on in
The pain grows stronger, watch it burn
That suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
And I can take or leave it if I please
A brave man once requested me
To answer questions that are key
Is it to be or not to be
And I replied, "Oh why ask me?"
That suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
And I can take or leave it if I
That suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
I can take or leave it if I please
That suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
And you can do the same thing if you please
The lyrics to Jimmy Smith's Theme From "Bewitched" are actually a slightly altered version of the well-known theme to the television show M*A*S*H. The lyrics are haunting and introspective, addressing themes such as suicide, pain, and the inevitability of death. The line "through early morning fog I see, visions of the things to be" sets a melancholic tone for the song, implying that the singer has a certain sense of foreboding.
Throughout the song, the idea of suicide is brought up multiple times. The repeated phrase "suicide is painless" is particularly striking, as it is a direct contradiction to the common belief that suicide is one of the most painful and traumatic events one can experience. Additionally, the lyrics discuss the idea that suicide brings about change, which suggests that the singer may feel that they are stuck in their current situation or circumstances.
Overall, the song's lyrics are both dark and enigmatic, inviting the listener to reflect on the nature of life and death. The theme song for M*A*S*H is a classic in its own right and the inclusion of darker, more introspective lyrics has helped to cement the song's place in popular culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Through early morning fog I see
Amidst the misty dawn, I catch a glimpse of my future
Visions of the things to be
I foresee what's to come
The pains that are withheld for me
I know that hardships await me
I realize and I can see
I am aware and can envision
That suicide is painless
Taking my own life seems like an easy way out
It brings on many changes
Suicide has significant effects on one's life and those around them
I can take or leave it if I please
I have the choice to end my life or not
That game of life is hard to play
Living is a struggle
I'm gonna lose it anyway
I know I'll ultimately fail at life
The losing card of some delay
I may not fail immediately, but defeat is inevitable
So this is all I have to say
These are my final words
The sword of time will pierce our skin
The passage of time will wear us down
It doesn't hurt when it begins
Aging starts off subtle
But as it works it's way on in
Growing old becomes more painful with time
The pain grows stronger, watch it burn
The agony of aging intensifies and becomes unbearable
A brave man once requested me
Someone once challenged me
To answer questions that are key
To provide answers to pivotal inquiries
Is it to be or not to be
Should one continue living or end their existence?
And I replied, "Oh why ask me?"
I evade the question and refuse to answer
And you can do the same thing if you please
Others have the same freedom to choose life or death
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Johnny Mandel, Michael B Altman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bob Bly
I had this album back when people owned records, and I loved it as I love everything Jimmy Smith does -- the absolute master of the B3!
olddudders1
Haven't heard this in years, although I have the vinyl somewhere. One of his finest tracks, I think.
Bob Bly
I had this LP before we traded records in for CDs. I absolutely loved it.
Anthony F.
Brooklyn's own Grady Tate on drums, arguably the best jazz drummer ever.
Bob Bly
An easy ride for Jimmy, who usually plays at a much higher and more technically challenging level, but a nice combination of improv, swinging, nostalgia, and fun!
A'Doris A
That was swinging! Love it.
olddudders1
Bought this album at Easter 1966. Several standout tracks, including this one.
Benjamin Hill
I love that 60's drum sound.
Calvin Simmons
Me too and i see you on every munsters video leaving a comment lol
Damian Laguna Ferreira
Fabulosos recuerdos. Gracias y un saludo