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.

Skylark
Keith Jarrett Lyrics

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Skylark
Have you anything to say to me?
Won't you tell me where my love can be?
Is there a meadow in the mist
Where someone's waiting to be kissed?

Skylark
Have you seen a valley green with spring?

Where my heart can go a journeying
Over the shadows and the rain
To a blossom covered lane

And in your lonely flight
Haven't you heard the music in the night?
Wonderful music, faint as a will o' the wisp
Crazy as a loon, sad as a gypsy serenading the moon

Oh skylark
I don't know if you can find these things
But my heart is riding on your wings
So if you see them anywhere
Won't you lead me there?

Oh skylark
I don't know if you can find these things
But my heart is riding on your wings

So if you see them anywhere
Won't you lead me there?

Overall Meaning

The song "Skylark" by Keith Jarrett is an ode to the skylark bird which is known for its song and flight. The lyrics are addressed to the bird, asking if it has anything to say to the singer about where their love might be. The singer wonders if there is a meadow where someone is waiting to be kissed. The song continues with the singer asking the skylark if it has seen a valley green with spring, where their heart can journey over shadows and rain to a blossom-covered lane. The lyricist captures the essence of the beauty of nature through the imagery of the skylark flying over green meadows, rain, and blossoms.

The imagery of the skylark is used to evoke the sense of longing and the hope for a better place. The skylark's lonely flight in the sky represents the singer's desire to find love and happiness. The song's theme is reminiscent of the Romantic era and the love for nature and its beauty. The skylark is used as a metaphor for the beauty and wonder that can be found in life if one looks up to the sky and sees beyond their immediate surroundings.

Line by Line Meaning

Skylark
The singer is addressing the Skylark.

Have you anything to say to me?
The singer is asking if there is any message that Skylark has for him.

Won't you tell me where my love can be?
The singer is requesting Skylark to give him some direction in finding his love.

Is there a meadow in the mist
The artist is asking if there is a foggy meadow somewhere.

Where someone's waiting to be kissed?
The artist imagines that there is someone waiting for him in that meadow.

Skylark
The singer addresses Skylark again.

Have you seen a valley green with spring?
The singer is asking if Skylark has seen a green valley during springtime.

Where my heart can go a journeying
The artist wants to find a place he can explore while his heart is filled with joy.

Over the shadows and the rain
The artist is prepared to travel to somewhere despite the obstacles of shadows and rain.

To a blossom covered lane
The artist wishes to travel to a lane that is full of blossoms.

And in your lonely flight
The singer recognizes that Skylark flies alone.

Haven't you heard the music in the night?
The artist wonders if Skylark has experienced the magical music at nighttime.

Wonderful music, faint as a will o' the wisp
The singer describes the music as outstanding, but as unique as a will o' the wisp.

Crazy as a loon, sad as a gypsy serenading the moon
The singer makes a comparison of the music to a crazed loon and the sadness of a gypsy who serenades the moon.

Oh skylark
The singer addresses Skylark once again.

I don't know if you can find these things
The artist suspects that Skylark may not be able to help with his search.

But my heart is riding on your wings
The artist places his trust in Skylark to help him find these things.

So if you see them anywhere
The singer addresses Skylark one more time, saying that if Skylark sees any of these things anywhere in the world.

Won't you lead me there?
The singer requests Skylark to lead him to the place where he can find these things.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HOAGY CARMICHAEL, JOHNNY MERCER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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