Keith Jarrett (born May 8, 1945 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA) is an Amer… Read Full Bio ↴Keith Jarrett (born May 8, 1945 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA) is an American pianist and composer. He is considered one of the most important jazz pianists, renowned for his elaborate solo improvisations. As well as recording under his own name, he has recorded a number of albums as the Keith Jarrett Trio. In 2003, Jarrett received the Polar Music Prize, the first (and to this day only) recipient not to share the prize with a co-recipient, and in 2004 he received the Léonie Sonning Music Prize.

Jarrett began piano lessons at the age of two and played for the first time on stage at the age of seven. In 1962 he played a self-composed two-hour concert, without the benefit of any prior formal instruction in orchestration or composition. After working with a wide variety of musicians, beginning in 1966, including Chet Baker, Lee Konitz and Art Blakey, he founded his own band in 1968 with Charlie Haden and Paul Motian. In 1971-76 Dewey Redman (saxophone) joined the group and they played under the name of the "American Quartet". His work with Miles Davis between 1969 and 1971 gave his career an additional boost, as well as the opportunity to play solo concerts such as the "Köln Concert" (1975, Cologne, Germany), honoured by Time Magazine as album of the year.

Since the early 1970s, he has enjoyed a great deal of success, both artistic and commercial, in both classical and jazz music as a group leader and a solo performer. His improvisation technique combines jazz, classical, gospel, blues, and various ethnic-folk musics. He is considered by some, to be the "Bach" of jazz music; this title may have come from his recording of Bach's Goldberg Variations, which, although it received many awards, was not entirely approved by critics.

In the 1990s he suffered chronic fatigue syndrome only to take up the piano again in 1998. He worked in a trio form with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette until 2014.

Jarrett stated in a 2005 TV interview that his music is influenced by the teachings and philosophy of Georges I. Gurdjieff, whom he honoured in "Sacred Hymns" (ECM, 1980). This philosophy informs many of his non-musical beliefs as well.

In 2008, he was inducted into the Down Beat Hall of Fame in the magazine's 73rd annual readers' poll.

In 2010, to coincide with his 65th birthday he released his first studio album in 12 years - Jasmine. It reunited Jarrett with his old bassist colleague Charlie Haden; the two had not recorded together for over 30 years.

I'm Old Fashioned
Keith Jarrett Lyrics

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I am not such a clever one
About the latest fads
I admit I was never one
Adored by local lads
Not that I ever try to be a saint
I'm the type that they classify as quaint
I'm old fashioned
I love the moonlight

I love the old fashioned things
The sound of rain
Upon a window pane
The starry song that April sings
This year's fancies
Are passing fancies
But sighing sighs holding hands
These my heart understands
I know I'm old fashioned
But I don't mind it
That's how I want to be
As long as you agree
To stay old fashioned with me

I'm old fashioned
But I don't mind it
That's how I want to be
As long as you agree
To stay old fashioned with me

Oh won't you stay old fashioned with me
Oh please stay old fashioned with me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Keith Jarrett's song "Things Ain't What They Used To Be" is about embracing old-fashioned values and finding comfort and beauty in them. The singer, who admits to not being trendy, is nostalgic about traditional things such as the sound of rain, the sight of moonlight, and the beauty of April's starry sky. He contrasts these timeless elements with "this year's fancies" which he views as passing and temporary. He sings about the importance of holding hands and sighing sighs, while also cherishing the simplicity of being called "quaint" and not trying to be anything other than himself.

The song's overall message is about finding joy in the past and in things that do not necessarily change with time. The singer wants to stay old-fashioned and hopes that his partner agrees to as well, emphasizing the importance of shared values in a relationship. In a world that is constantly changing, the singer finds solace in the simplicity and beauty of the old-fashioned ways.

Overall, the song is a tribute to timeless values and the beauty of simplicity. It encourages listeners to slow down and appreciate the beauty in things that may be considered old-fashioned.

Line by Line Meaning

I am not such a clever one
I'm not particularly clever

About the latest fads
I don't know much about current trends

I admit I was never one
I confess I never was

Adored by local lads
Popular among local guys

Not that I ever try to be a saint
I'm not pretending to be perfect

I'm the type that they classify as quaint
People might describe me as charmingly old-fashioned

I'm old fashioned
I prefer traditional things

I love the moonlight
I enjoy the soft light of the moon

I love the old fashioned things
I find joy in things from the past

The sound of rain
The noise made by falling raindrops

Upon a window pane
As it hits a window

The starry song that April sings
The music of the stars in springtime

This year's fancies
Current interests or obsessions

Are passing fancies
Won't last long

But sighing sighs holding hands
Romantic moments are enduring

These my heart understands
My emotions recognize this to be true

I know I'm old fashioned
I'm aware my style is outdated

But I don't mind it
But I'm fine with that

That's how I want to be
Because that's how I want to live

As long as you agree
But only if you concur too

To stay old fashioned with me
To continue to embrace tradition together

Oh won't you stay old fashioned with me
Please don't change

Oh please stay old fashioned with me
Let's hold on to the past together

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHNNY MERCER, JEROME KERN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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