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.
Bouquet Of Roses
Johnny Hodges Lyrics
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One for every time you've broke my heart,
And as the door of love between us closes,
Tears will fall like pedals when we part.
I begged you to be different but you've always been untrue,
I'm tired of forgiving and there is nothing left to do,
So I'm sending you a big bouquet of roses,
You've made our lovers lane a road of sorrow,
'Til at last we had to say goodbye,
You're leaving me to face each new tomorrow,
With a heart that you taught how to cry.
I know that I should hate you after all you've put me through,
But how can I be bitter when I'm still in love with you,
I'm sending you a big bouquet of roses,
One for every time you've broke my heart
The lyrics for Johnny Hodges's song Bouquet Of Roses are filled with heartache, betrayal, and the complexities of love. The song is about a man who is sending his former lover a bouquet of roses, one for every time she's broken his heart. He acknowledges that their love has come to an end, and as they part, tears will fall like petals. The pain and hurt he's experienced are evident in his voice, and the lyrics reveal the depth of his emotions.
Throughout the song, the singer expresses his frustration and disappointment with his lover's infidelity. He's begged her to be different, but she's always been untrue. Forgiveness has become exhausting, and he's reached a point where there's nothing left to do but let go. Despite it all, however, he can't bring himself to hate her. He's still in love with her, even though she's caused him so much pain.
The lyrics in Bouquet Of Roses are powerful and emotional, and Hodges's delivery adds to the impact. They tell a story of love and heartbreak that is relatable to anyone who has ever been in a tumultuous relationship. The song is a timeless classic that has resonated with audiences for decades.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm sending you a big bouquet of roses,
I want to send you a grand gesture of love in the form of a large bouquet of roses.
One for every time you've broke my heart,
For each instance that you have hurt me, I will include a single rose in the bouquet.
And as the door of love between us closes,
As our relationship comes to a close, I want to commemorate it with this symbol of my feelings for you.
Tears will fall like pedals when we part.
As we say our goodbyes, it will be an emotional moment where tears will fall like the petals of the roses in the bouquet.
I begged you to be different but you've always been untrue,
Even though I pleaded with you to change, over time I have realized that you have never been faithful or trustworthy.
I'm tired of forgiving and there is nothing left to do,
I have grown tired of constantly forgiving you for your mistakes, and I have accepted that there is nothing more I can do to salvage our relationship.
You've made our lovers lane a road of sorrow,
Our once happy relationship has become a path of sadness and grief because of the mistakes you have made.
'Til at last we had to say goodbye,
Eventually, we came to the mutual decision that it was time for us to part ways and say goodbye.
You're leaving me to face each new tomorrow,
Now that you are gone, I must face each new day without you by my side.
With a heart that you taught how to cry.
You have taught me how to be vulnerable and how to feel pain, leaving me with a broken heart that is now accustomed to crying.
I know that I should hate you after all you've put me through,
It would be understandable for me to hate you for all of the pain and suffering you have caused me.
But how can I be bitter when I'm still in love with you,
Despite everything, my love for you has not diminished, making it hard for me to feel bitter towards you.
I'm sending you a big bouquet of roses,
Once again, I want to send you this grand gesture to show you that I still love you even though we must say goodbye.
One for every time you've broke my heart.
And for each time you hurt me, I will include a single rose in the bouquet.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bob Hilliard, Steve Nelson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind