The paths of Johnny Hodges (John Cornelius "Johnny" Hodges, nicknames: "Rab… Read Full Bio ↴The paths of Johnny Hodges (John Cornelius "Johnny" Hodges, nicknames: "Rabbit", "Jeep". b. July 25, 1907, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, d. May 11, 1970) and Duke Ellington are eternally intertwined. While Hodges is now universally acknowledged as one of the seminal alto saxophonists in jazz he was, at times, overlooked as an artist in his own right; somehow hidden in the penumbra of The Duke Ellington Orchestra, for which Mr. Hodges was the lead alto player for many decades (doubling on soprano saxophone in the '30's and '40's as well).

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.

If You Were Mine
Johnny Hodges Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If you were mine
I could be a ruler of kings
And if you were mine
I could do such wonderful things

I'd say to a star
Stop where you are
Light up my lover's way

And every star above you

Would obey, say
If you were mine
I would live for your love alone
To kneel at your shrine
I would give up all that I own

Yes even my heart
Even my life
I'd trade it all for you

And think I was lucky too
If you were mine

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Johnny Hodges's song "If You Were Mine" express the depth of love and devotion one feels towards their significant other. The singer imagines a world where they can possess their beloved, and in doing so, they believe they could achieve greatness. The first few lines convey the idea that if the person they desire belonged to them, they could be a ruler of kings. This portrays the transformative power of love, making the singer believe they could attain extraordinary accomplishments.

The lyrics continue to emphasize the potential of their relationship. The singer believes that if their beloved were theirs, they could accomplish remarkable things together. The metaphorical statement "I'd say to a star, Stop where you are, Light up my lover's way" depicts the singer's desire for the universe to align with their love. They believe that every star above their beloved would obey their command, symbolizing the immensity and uniqueness of their love.

The singer further expresses their devotion to their beloved, stating that they would live solely for their love. The idea of kneeling at their shrine suggests worship and complete surrender to their love. This displays the singer's willingness to sacrifice everything they possess, including their heart and life, for the sake of their beloved. They view this sacrifice as a fortunate exchange and believe their life would be enriched by such devotion.

Overall, the lyrics of "If You Were Mine" illustrate a deeply profound love and devotion that the singer feels towards their significant other. They imagine a life where they could achieve greatness and possess the love they desire. The lyrics highlight the transformative power of love and the willingness to sacrifice everything for the person they love, portraying a sense of extraordinary dedication and admiration.

Line by Line Meaning

If you were mine
If you belonged to me

I could be a ruler of kings
I would have the power and influence of a king

And if you were mine
If you were in my possession

I could do such wonderful things
I would be capable of achieving remarkable feats

I'd say to a star
I would speak to a celestial body

Stop where you are
Cease your motion and stay in one place

Light up my lover's way
Illuminate the path for my beloved

And every star above you
As well as any star that shines over you

Would obey, say
Would comply and listen

If you were mine
If you were exclusively mine

I would live for your love alone
I would dedicate my life to your affection only