He recorded with Charles Mingus in 1976, and replaced Pat Metheny in Gary Burton's quartet. In autumn 1976 he signed a contract with Enja Records, and he released his first album East Meets West in 1977. In 1979 he formed a trio with Steve Swallow and Adam Nussbaum. He later joined Miles Davis, with whom he remained until 1985.
While still with Davis, he released Electric Outlet (1984). Still Warm (1985) followed after he left Davis's group.
At the beginning of the 1990s, he formed a quartet with Joe Lovano with whom he recorded several important albums for Blue Note Records. Time on My Hands (1990), with Lovano, Charlie Haden and Jack DeJohnette, showcased Scofield's guitar and Mingus-influenced writing. Bill Stewart subsequently became the group's drummer, and played on Meant to Be (1991) and What We Do (1993). In 1992, Scofield released Grace Under Pressure, featuring fellow guitarist Bill Frisell, with Charlie Haden on bass and Joey Baron on drums. Stewart was back in the drum chair for the 1994 collaboration with Pat Metheny, I Can See Your House from Here. Also, in 1997 he recorded "A Go Go" LP, supported by the fame of Medeski, Martin and Wood, truly a masterpiece with range of lounge music and finest funk feel behind the beat.
Towards the end of his tenure with Blue Note, Scofield returned to a more funk- and soul jazz-oriented sound, a direction which has dominated much of his subsequent output. At this time, he also started performing with various jambands, and even performed with DJ Logic to cover Phish's "Cars Trucks Buses", on Sharin' in the Groove (2001).
He released Überjam in 2002 and Up All Night in 2004, two albums on which he experiments with drum n bass and other modern rhythms. Late 2004 saw the release of En Route, which features the jazz trio of John Scofield, Steve Swallow on bass and Bill Stewart on drums. It was recorded live at The Blue Note, NYC in December 2003.
More recently Scofield has been jamming with the likes of Medeski, Martin and Wood, and has even gone so far as to record an album with them, this time with equal billing, as Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood.
On September 26, 2006 he released Out Louder, his second collaborative effort album with avant garde jazz trio Medeski Martin & Wood.
On September 18, 2007 he released This Meets That, a record featuring his trio with Steve Swallow and Bill Stewart. This time John added a horn section to expand the sound of his trio. The touring unit for this record features the Sco Horns, a three piece horn section of Phil Grenadier on trumpet and flugelhorn, Tom Olin on tenor saxophone, flute and alto flute and Frank Vacin on baritone saxophone and bass clarinet.
Presently, Scofield is a part of the NYU/Steindhart Jazz program in New York City, as a faculty member.
Behind Closed Doors
John Scofield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She never makes a scene by hanging all over me in a crowd
Cause people like to talk, Lord, how they love to talk
But when they turn out the lights, I know she'll be leaving with me
[Chorus]
And when we get behind closed doors
Then she lets her hair hang down
Oh no one knows what goes on behind closed doors
My, behind closed doors
My baby makes me smile, Lord don't she make me smile
She's never too far away or too tired to say "I want you"
She's always a lady, just like a lady should be
But when they turn out the lights, she's still a baby to me
[Chorus]
In John Scofield's song " Behind Closed Doors," the singer speaks about his lover and how proud she makes him feel. Despite the way people like to talk about others, the singer finds comfort in knowing that she will be leaving with him once they are alone. The chorus emphasizes the idea of privacy, stating that these special moments between the two of them are hidden from public view. In the second verse, the singer continues to express his admiration for his partner. She not only makes him smile, but she also knows how to show him how much she cares for him. Despite her lady-like nature, the singer emphasizes that behind closed doors, she is still his baby.
The song seems to be about the beauty of a private relationship. It captures the sense of companionship and the bond between two individuals. The lyrics suggest that the singer finds security in being with his lover away from the public eye. John Scofield adds a more personal touch to the song with his soulful guitar playing, which adds to the emotional depth of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
My baby makes me proud, Lord don't she make me proud
My significant other makes me feel honored and pleased, she is incredibly impressive
She never makes a scene by hanging all over me in a crowd
She doesn't behave inappropriately by clinging on to me in public
Cause people like to talk, Lord, how they love to talk
People are always inclined to gossip and create rumors
But when they turn out the lights, I know she'll be leaving with me
Despite what people might say, I am certain that she is only mine and will be leaving with me at the end of the day
And when we get behind closed doors
In private, when there are no outsiders or prying eyes
Then she lets her hair hang down
That's when she relaxes and lets loose
And she makes me glad I'm a man
In those moments, she pleases me immensely and makes me thankful for being a man
Oh no one knows what goes on behind closed doors
Our private moments are only for us to know and share
My, behind closed doors
Behind the doors of privacy and intimacy, between me and my partner
My baby makes me smile, Lord don't she make me smile
My significant other brings joy to my life and makes me smile widely
She's never too far away or too tired to say "I want you"
Even when she's far or tired, she never fails to express her affection and desire towards me
She's always a lady, just like a lady should be
She carries herself with grace and poise as any lady should
But when they turn out the lights, she's still a baby to me
Despite her mature and lady-like nature, in private she becomes my baby, my lover and my partner
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KENNY O'DELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind