Like many other successful musicians from Chicago, he studied music at DuSable High School under Walter Dyett. Griffin, was reputed to be the 'World's Fastest Saxophonist' in the jazz idiom, though as he aged, and as the jazz audience declined, this accolade all but disappeared.
In the 1940s and 1950s he worked in Lionel Hampton's and Joe Morris's bands, in the Jazz Messengers, and in the Thelonious Monk Quartet. From 1960 to 1962 Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis and Griffin led their own group. Having felt he had achieved much in the USA, his pinnacle on record arguably the 1957 Blowin' session on the Blue Note label with fellow tenor John Coltrane, he moved to Europe. He lived in France in 1963, moving to the Netherlands in 1978, and he still continued to record and tour until his death in 2008.
It's You or No One
Johnny Griffin Lyrics
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How did I guess that the long loneliness was past.
I merely looked at you and I knew that I knew.
It's you or no one for me
I'm sure of this each time we kiss
Now and forever and when forever's done
You'll find that you are still the one
Please don't say no to my plea
'Cause if you do then I'm all through
There's this about you
My world's an empty world without you
It's you or no one for me
Please don't say no to my plea
'Cause if you do then I'm all through
There's this about you
My world's an empty world without you
It's you or no one for me
For me
In Johnny Griffin’s It’s You or No One, the lyrics suggest a deep sense of belonging and certainty that the singer feels towards their lover, despite the challenges that they might have faced in the past. The opening lines, “How did I know that the warmth of the glow would last, How did I guess that the long loneliness was past,” suggest a sense of uncertainty that has now been replaced by a sense of conviction. The singer’s doubts have been put to rest, likely due to the connection that they share with this person, as evidenced by the line “I merely looked at you and I knew that I knew.”
As the song progresses, the lyrics underscore the importance of this connection to the singer. The line “It’s you or no one for me” speaks to the fact that the singer is not interested in anyone else. This speaks to the depth of the singer's feelings, as they are not just looking for a passing fling, but rather something more permanent. The repeated line “Please don’t say no to my plea” reinforces this message, as it suggests that without this person, the singer's world would be empty and meaningless.
Overall, the song paints a picture of the singer's deep and abiding love for this person, who is the only one for them. It's a powerful message that speaks to the universal human desire for connection and belonging.
Line by Line Meaning
How did I know that the warmth of the glow would last.
I had a gut feeling that the happiness I was experiencing would not be short-lived.
How did I guess that the long loneliness was past.
I had an inkling that my period of solitude had come to an end.
I merely looked at you and I knew that I knew.
One glance at you was all it took for me to realize without a shadow of a doubt that you were the one.
It's you or no one for me
I am positive that you are the only one for me.
I'm sure of this each time we kiss
My certainty in our love deepens each time our lips touch.
Now and forever and when forever's done
Our love will continue to endure even beyond the limits of time.
You'll find that you are still the one
Even years down the line, you will still be the one who holds my heart.
Please don't say no to my plea
I implore you not to reject my entreaty.
'Cause if you do then I'm all through
If you turn me down, it would be the end of me.
There's this about you
There is something about you.
My world's an empty world without you
Without you, my life would be completely without meaning.
It's you or no one for me
I am fully convinced that it is either you or no one for me.
For me
That is the final and absolute truth for me.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind