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.

One for the Duke
Johnny Hodges Lyrics

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I remember other days how I used to weep
Over things you said to me; I couldn't even sleep
You forgot your promises, every single vow
All you did was laugh at me, but things are different now

I cried for you; now it's your turn to cry over me
Every road has a turning
That's one thing you're learning

I cried for you; what a fool I used to be
Now I found two eyes just a little bit bluer
I found a heart just a little bit truer
I cried for you; now it's your turn to cry over me

How can I forget the hours that I worried through
Wondering the live long day just what next thing to do?
In those days you never thought anything of me
But the slave that was all yours and now at last is free

I cried for you; now it's your turn to cry over me
Every road has a turning
That's one thing you're learning
I cried for you; what a fool I used to be
Now I found two eyes just a little bit bluer

I found a heart just a little bit truer
I cried for you; now it's your turn to cry over me

Overall Meaning

In "I Cried For You," the singer recounts how they used to weep over the things that their partner said to them, unable to sleep because of the emotional pain. They explain how their partner forgot all of their promises and vows and mocked them, but now things have changed. It is now their partner's turn to feel the pain of heartbreak and cry over the singer. The singer reflects on the hours they spent worrying about the relationship, always wondering what to do next, but feeling like a slave to their partner's emotions.

The lyrics convey a story of how the power dynamic in the relationship has shifted. The singer who once cried for their partner is now confident and has found someone better. They have gained strength and self-respect and are able to see their former partner's faults. The song suggests that every road has a turning point and that the singer has come out stronger on the other side.

Line by Line Meaning

I remember other days how I used to weep
I recall the past when I used to cry

Over things you said to me; I couldn't even sleep
Because of what you said, I couldn't even sleep

You forgot your promises, every single vow
You broke every promise and vow you made to me

All you did was laugh at me, but things are different now
You used to make fun of me, but now things are not the same

I cried for you; now it's your turn to cry over me
I shed tears for you, but now it's your time to cry for me

Every road has a turning
Every path has a turning point

That's one thing you're learning
That is a lesson you are now learning

I cried for you; what a fool I used to be
I wept for you, realizing how foolish I was

Now I found two eyes just a little bit bluer
I have found someone else with slightly bluer eyes

I found a heart just a little bit truer
I discovered a heart that is slightly more faithful

How can I forget the hours that I worried through
How can I not remember the time I spent worrying

Wondering the live long day just what next thing to do?
I was constantly preoccupied with knowing what to do next

In those days you never thought anything of me
In those times, you didn't think about me at all

But the slave that was all yours and now at last is free
But now, the person who used to belong to you is free

Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Gus Arnheim, Arthur Freed, Abe Lyman

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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