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.
Moonglow
Kenny Burrell Lyrics
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It must have been moonglow that led me straight to you
I still hear you sayin', "Dear one, hold me fast"
And I keep on prayin', "Oh Lord, please let this last"
We seemed to float right through the air
Heavenly songs seemed to come from everywhere
I'll always remember, that moonglow gave me you
It must have been moonglow, way up in the blue
It must have been moonglow that led me straight to you
I still hear you sayin', "Sweet child, hold me fast"
And I keep on prayin', "Oh Lord, please let this last"
We seemed to float right through the air
Heavenly songs seemed to come from everywhere
And now when there's moonglow, way up in the blue
I'll always remember, that moonglow gave me you
The song "Moonglow" by Kenny Burrell is about a chance meeting and falling in love under the light of the moon. The lyrics suggest that the moon, or "moonglow," guided the singer to their lover, who they still hear saying "hold me fast" and pray that their love will last. The couple seems to be floating through the air to the sound of heavenly songs, which creates a surreal, dreamlike atmosphere. The chorus repeats that the moonglow brought the couple together and that the singer will always remember that it gave them their true love.
The lyrics of "Moonglow" paint a romantic and ethereal picture of love. The use of celestial imagery, such as "way up in the blue" and "heavenly songs," creates a mystical effect that enhances the beauty of the singer's recollections. The repetition of the phrase "hold me fast" reinforces the idea of the strength of their connection and the hope that it will last.
Line by Line Meaning
It must have been moonglow, way up in the blue
The light of the moon was shining bright and beautiful, floating high above the sky
It must have been moonglow that led me straight to you
The light of the moon guided me directly to you, my love
I still hear you sayin', "Dear one, hold me fast"
I can still hear your voice tenderly asking me to hold you tight
And I keep on prayin', "Oh Lord, please let this last"
I keep praying to God to make this wonderful moment of being with you last forever
We seemed to float right through the air
It felt like we were effortlessly gliding and soaring through the atmosphere
Heavenly songs seemed to come from everywhere
It seemed like heavenly music was playing all around us, adding to the magic of the moment
And now when there's moonglow, way up in the blue
Whenever I see the moon shining bright up in the sky
I'll always remember, that moonglow gave me you
I'll always cherish the beautiful memory of how the moonlight brought me to you
I still hear you sayin', "Sweet child, hold me fast"
I can still hear your sweet voice asking me to hold you tightly, my love
And I keep on prayin', "Oh Lord, please let this last"
I continue to pray to God to make our love last forever
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Eddie Delange, Irving Mills, Will Hudson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind