Dorham was one of the most active bebop trumpeters. He played in the big bands of Billy Eckstine, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton and Mercer Ellington and the quintet of Charlie Parker. He was a charter member of the original cooperative Jazz Messengers. He also recorded as a sideman with Thelonious Monk and Sonny Rollins, and he replaced Clifford Brown in the Max Roach Quintet after Brown's death in 1956. In addition to sideman work, he led his own groups, including the Jazz Prophets (formed shortly after Art Blakey took over the Jazz Messengers name). The Jazz Prophets can be heard on the 1956 Blue Note live album Round About Midnight at the Cafe Bohemia.
Dorham's talent is frequently lauded by critics and other musicians, but he never received the kind of attention from the jazz establishment that many of his peers did. For this reason, his name has become (in the words of writer Gary Giddins) "virtually synonymous with 'underrated.'"
During his final years Dorham suffered from kidney disease, of which he died.
Falling In Love With Love
Kenny Dorham Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To keep my mind off other things
So, ladies, let your fingers dance
And keep your hands out of romance
Lovely witches
Let the stitches
Keep your fingers under control
The whole heart whole
Merry maids can sew and sleep
Wives can only sew and weep
Falling in love with love
Is falling for make-believe
Falling in love with love
Is playing the fool
Caring too much is juvenile fancy
Learning to trust is just
For children in school
I fell in love with love one night
When the mood was full
I was unwise with eyes
Unable to see
I fell in love with love
With love everlasting
But love fell out with me
In this song, Kenny Dorham urges ladies to keep their hands out of romance and instead focus on weaving with brightly colored strings to keep their minds off other things. The reference to lovely witches and stitches suggests that the act of weaving is similar to magic. The central theme of the song is falling in love with love and how it can be a foolish mistake. Dorham cautions that falling in love with love is like falling for make-believe and that caring too much is juvenile fancy. In the end, the singer confesses that he fell in love with love one night, and though it felt eternal at the time, love eventually fell out with him.
The opening lines of the song with the reference to “brightly colored strings” might suggest that music or creativity can be a way to distract from the pain of heartache. Similarly, the reference to “lovely witches” can be interpreted as a metaphor for a person who uses their skills to weave together what they desire. There is a sense of danger in the act of weaving, especially if love is involved. The song also touches upon gender roles and expectations, suggesting that it is better for maids to sew and sleep, while wives can only sew and weep.
Line by Line Meaning
I weave with brightly colored strings
I engage in creative pursuits to distract myself from negative thoughts and emotions.
To keep my mind off other things
So that I can avoid dwelling on unpleasant or upsetting topics.
So, ladies, let your fingers dance
Women should channel their energy into productive and fulfilling activities.
And keep your hands out of romance
Avoid becoming too emotionally invested in romantic relationships.
Lovely witches
Charming and captivating women.
Let the stitches
Be focused and precise.
Keep your fingers under control
Remain disciplined and composed.
Cut the thread, but leave
End the task at hand, but don't let it negatively affect your heart.
The whole heart whole
Don't let romantic disappointment shatter your emotions entirely.
Merry maids can sew and sleep
Unmarried women have the luxury of balancing work with rest.
Wives can only sew and weep
Married women may find themselves sacrificing their personal time and emotional wellbeing for their family.
Falling in love with love
Being captivated by the idea of love, rather than the reality of a relationship.
Is falling for make-believe
It's deceiving oneself by believing in an unrealistic notion of love.
Caring too much is juvenile fancy
Being overly invested in romance and love can be seen as immature and unrealistic.
Learning to trust is just
Trusting others is a key aspect of personal growth and development.
For children in school
It's a crucial life lesson that is often learned during childhood.
I fell in love with love one night
I became enamored with the prospect of love on a particular evening.
When the mood was full
During a moment of intense emotional vulnerability.
I was unwise with eyes
My judgment was clouded by my emotions.
Unable to see
I was blind to the reality of the situation.
With love everlasting
Infatuated with the idea of an eternal love.
But love fell out with me
But my romantic endeavors ultimately failed and left me heartbroken.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GUS KAHN, M. NEUMAN, VICTOR POPULAR YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@anandapandya1
In my book, Oscar Pettiford was one great bassist. Not to take anything away from all the others on this track.
@andysmom11
very lovely tune
@jazzjazz
このラッパの音色、なんか染みてくるんだよな～😆
@williamtilton1652
sweet horn!
@magnuswiege312
Dorham is my favorite trumpet bop meistro mos definately, I used to regard Lee Morgan as the "best' byt since I first heard Kennys on It could happen to you with McLean, A.T, Walter Bishop and just some bassist he became the grand master who wrote Blue Bossa. but that doesn't matter. Was it King Leroy on that record, cuz that's swaaaiiiinging
@xv621
Key change..kool...or pitch
@jiyujizai
🌱☝️🙄