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.
Sticks and Stones
John Scofield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why won't they let us be
Bricks and stones may break my bones
But talk don't bother me
People talkin' tryin' to break us up
When they know that I love you so
So I don't care what the people may say
I've been abused
(I've been abused)
In my heart
(My heart's been torn)
I've been accused
(I've been accused)
I've been 'buked
(I've been 'buked and I've been stung)
People talkin' tryin' to break us up, yeah
Scandlizin' my name
They'll say anything just to make me feel bad
Yes anything to make me shame
I've been abused
(I've been abused)
In my heart
(My heart's been torn)
I've been accused
(I've been accused)
I've been 'buked
(I've been 'buked and I've been stung)
People talkin' tryin' to break us, yup
And they scandlizin' my name
They'll say anything just to make me feel bad
Yes anything to make me shame
Yes I know
(Oh, yes I know)
Yes I know it
(Oh, yes I know)
And you know it, too
(Oh, yes I know)
Don't you know it, too
(Oh, yes I know)
Ohhhhh, don't you know it too
Sticks And Stones by John Scofield is a song that describes the painful experience of being judged and criticized by others. The lyrics suggest that people are trying to break the singer's relationship apart, but that this talk doesn't bother him. He is determined to hold onto his love no matter what is said. The imagery of bricks and stones is used metaphorically to suggest the harm that words can cause, but the singer is resilient and able to withstand the rumors and gossip.
The second part of the song touches on the singer's personal struggles. He has been abused, accused, and 'buked (likely referring to being rebuked, or criticized), and his heart has been torn. He repeats the line "People talkin' tryin' to break us up" again, emphasizing the idea that the criticism is not just about him personally, but also about his relationship. The song ends on a hopeful note, as the singer affirms his own knowledge of the truth and encourages his partner to know it too.
Line by Line Meaning
People talkin' tryin' to break us up
There are people who are trying to cause trouble in our relationship by spreading rumors.
Why won't they let us be
I don't understand why these people won't leave us alone and let us be happy together.
Bricks and stones may break my bones
Physical violence can hurt me physically, but it will not break my spirit or my love for you.
But talk don't bother me
Words may be hurtful, but they cannot stop me from loving you or being in a relationship with you.
When they know that I love you so
These people are causing trouble despite knowing how deeply I love you.
So I don't care what the people may say
Their opinions don't matter to me because my feelings for you are stronger than any negativity they can bring.
I'll never never let you go
I am committed to staying with you and will not let any outside forces come between us.
I've been abused
(I've been abused)
In my heart
(My heart's been torn)
I've been accused
(I've been accused)
I've been 'buked
(I've been 'buked and I've been stung)
I have experienced emotional pain because of the rumors and accusations being spread about my relationship with you.
Scandlizin' my name
These people are spreading rumors and lies about me to ruin my reputation.
Yes anything to make me shame
They will do anything to make me feel embarrassed or ashamed, but they will not succeed in breaking us apart.
Yes I know
(Oh, yes I know)
Yes I know it
(Oh, yes I know)
And you know it, too
(Oh, yes I know)
Don't you know it, too
(Oh, yes I know)
Ohhhhh, don't you know it too
We both know that our love is real and we don't need to let the rumors and negativity affect our relationship.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, BMG Rights Management
Written by: TITUS TURNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind