Hodges was apparently aware of this effect, leaving the Ellington orchestra in the 1950's, to be replaced by the stellar alto man, Willie Smith, formerly the lead alto star of the Jimmy Lunceford Orchestra. This situation somehow benefitted neither Ellington or Hodges, with the Ellington orchestra losing a certain luster despite Mr. Smith's excellence, and with major stardom just beyond Mr. Hodges' reach.
Luckily for the listener the recordings Mr. Hodges left behind as a leader, while arguably eluding stardom for the artist at the time, are nonpareil examples of relaxed swing, subtle inflection and perfect phrasing, peerless tone and seemingly effortless technique. More luck for the listener, Mr. Hodges later rejoined the Ellington fold, returning a signature sound to the orchestra's unique palette for many years after.
It has been reported that the Ellington orchestra worked nearly 365 days a year. When asked about this grueling schedule Mr. Ellington said something to the effect that he would settle for nothing less than the finest artists for his orchestra. What with the necessarily high salaries accorded an orchestra of virtuosos, the band had to work often in order to survive. Certainly no one in the Ellington orchestra more exemplified Mr. Ellington's highest standards than Johhny Hodges.
Passion Flower
Johnny Hodges Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sent from the blue above
You're a flower of love
Passion flower
Free as a star in flight
Laughing through the night
Your lips keep taunting me
Yet haunting me
Each day
Stay with me
My passion flower
You are all I'm dreaming of
Passion flower of love
Passion flower of love
In “Passion Flower,” Johnny Hodges uses the flower as a metaphor for a woman who is unreachable but irresistible. The passion flower is sent from the heavens, which can be interpreted as her beauty being otherworldly or divine. She is a “flower of love,” romantic and captivating, yet free as a “star in flight.” The imagery of flying adds to her etherealness and playfulness as she laughs through the night.
Hodges expresses his desire for her by asking her to “stay with me” despite her not wanting him. Her lips taunt him but he cannot resist her beauty - she is all he dreams and thinks about. “Passion Flower,” is a romantic and dreamy tune focusing on a love that may never come to fruition, yet cannot be ignored.
Line by Line Meaning
Passion flower
You, my love, are like a passion flower.
Sent from the blue above
You came to me as if from the heavens.
You're a flower of love
You are a symbol of love, a beautiful flower.
Free as a star in flight
You are free to be yourself, shining bright like a star in the sky.
Laughing through the night
You are happy and carefree, laughing all night long.
Your lips keep taunting me
Your lips are tempting me, teasing me with their allure.
Not wanting me
You do not want to be with me, but I still desire you.
Yet haunting me
Despite this, you still haunt me, staying with me always.
Stay with me
Please stay with me, my love.
My passion flower
You are my beloved, my passion flower.
You are all I'm dreaming of
You are the only one I dream of, the only one I want and need.
Passion flower of love
You are the embodiment of love, my passion flower.
Passion flower of love
You are the symbol of love, my precious passion flower.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: BILLY STRAYHORN, MILTON RASKIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
siben gerard
The entire concert in Copenhagen in 67' was a Masterclass; each performance was original, never played before and after again.
Will Hackett
Lot's a great technicians out there who can play fast and do saxophone gymnastics, but NOBODY could play a ballad like Johnny.
Simon Oram
Bird could
stegger.art
Johnny Hodges masters the instrument to the improbable with glissando from out of space into the heavenly - with a sensitive tone tending the extremely beautiful expression 👏 This is - indeed - true Art -
Bamby Parker
The most beautiful alto sound ever produced, and a master of the glissando.
Viggo Simonsen
Fantastic tone control, and a great performer
Dr. Jackson
Amazing lesson in putting the expression in the sound without the extras. Flawless!
Cristian Dominguez
this is the greatest song of all time! It sums up love and all the different emotions that go with it in just over two minutes
7senator77
This is incredible!
Hardtop Harry
What tone! Incredible. Proof that all those hours of long tones works.