Burrell made his first recording in 1951, with Dizzy Gillespie. After moving from Detroit to New York City in 1956, he recorded with a wide range of prominent musicians, including John Coltrane, Benny Goodman, Gil Evans, Stan Getz, Billie Holiday, Milt Jackson, Quincy Jones, Oscar Peterson, Sonny Rollins, Jimmy Smith, Stanley Turrentine, and Cedar Walton. He also led his own groups since 1951.
In the 1970s he began leading seminars about music, particularly Duke Ellington's (Burrell has a music degree from Wayne State University). A highly popular performer, he has won several jazz polls in Japan and the United Kingdom as well as the United States.
He has recorded about 40 LPs, including Midnight Blue (1961), Blue Lights, Guitar Forms, Sunup To Sundown (1990), Soft Winds (1993), Then Along Came Kenny (1993), and Lotus Blossom (1995).
Burrell now serves as Director of Jazz Studies at UCLA.
Do Nothin´ Till You Hear From Me
Kenny Burrell Lyrics
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But they wouldn't hurt you, not much
Since everyone spread the story
With his own little personal touch
Do nothin' till you hear from me
Pay no attention to what's said
Why people tear the seam of anyone's dream
Do nothin' till you hear from me
At least consider our romance
If you should take the word of others you've heard
I haven't a chance
True I've been seen with someone new
But does that mean that I'm untrue
When we're apart the words in my heart
Reveal how I feel about you
Some kiss may cloud my memory
And other arms may hold a thrill
But please do nothin' till you hear it from me
And you never will
Do nothin' till you hear from me
Do nothin' till you hear from me
Pay no attention to what's said
Why people tear the seam of anyone's dream
Is over my head
Do nothin' till you hear from me
At least consider our romance
If you should take the word of others you've heard
I haven't a chance
True I've been seen with someone new
But does that mean that I'm untrue
When we're apart the words in my heart
Reveal how I feel about you
Some kiss may cloud my memory
And other arms may hold a thrill
But please do nothin' till you hear it from me
And you never will
The lyrics to Kenny Burrell's "Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me" caution against giving weight to rumors and hearsay that can harm a relationship. The opening lines suggest that the singer's reputation has been tarnished, likely due to rumors about their involvement with someone else. The singer admits to being seen with someone new, but asserts that this does not necessarily make them untrue to their original partner. The lyrics aim to reassure the original partner that their love and loyalty are true, and that they should not listen to rumors unless they hear directly from the singer.
The lyrics also deal with the theme of miscommunication, with the singer imploring their partner to wait until they have heard directly from them before taking action. This theme is reinforced in the lines "Why people tear the seam of anyone's dream / Is over my head," suggesting that the singer is confused and frustrated by the ways in which rumors can create unnecessary discord in relationships. Through the lyrics, the singer highlights the importance of open communication and trusting one's partner rather than allowing outside opinions to influence one's thoughts and actions.
Overall, "Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me" is a powerful reminder of the importance of clear communication and resisting the influence of rumors in romantic relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Someone told someone and someone told you
The news about me being seen with someone else has been passed around through multiple people until it got to you.
But they wouldn't hurt you, not much
These people who spread the news don't have any ill intentions towards you.
Since everyone spread the story
Each person who mentioned the news about me added their own personal twist to it.
With his own little personal touch
Each person who mentioned the news about me added their own personal twist to it.
Do nothin' till you hear from me
Don't make any assumptions or act on any rumors you've heard until you hear the truth directly from me.
Pay no attention to what's said
Don't take any rumors or hearsay seriously until you hear the truth directly from me.
Why people tear the seam of anyone's dream
I don't understand why people feel the need to spread rumors or say hurtful things about others.
Is over my head
I don't understand why people feel the need to spread rumors or say hurtful things about others.
At least consider our romance
Please don't let rumors or hearsay ruin our relationship without hearing the truth from me first.
If you should take the word of others you've heard
If you choose to believe rumors or hearsay without hearing the truth from me first.
I haven't a chance
Our relationship won't stand a chance if you believe rumors or hearsay without hearing the truth from me first.
True I've been seen with someone new
It's true that I've been seen with someone else.
But does that mean that I'm untrue
Does me being seen with someone else automatically mean that I'm being unfaithful to you?
When we're apart the words in my heart
When we're not together, I still have strong feelings for you.
Reveal how I feel about you
My true feelings for you are always present, whether we're together or not.
Some kiss may cloud my memory
I may have shared a kiss with someone else, but that doesn't erase my love for you.
And other arms may hold a thrill
Being with someone else may provide a temporary thrill or excitement, but it can't replace the love I have for you.
But please do nothin' till you hear it from me
Please don't believe rumors or act on hearsay until you hear the truth directly from me.
And you never will
You'll never hear that I've been unfaithful from anyone else because it's simply not true.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON, BOB RUSSELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind