Mahogany began his study of music as a child with piano and later learned to play the clarinet and baritone saxophone, performing with jazz bands and teaching music while still in high school. "When I was a kid, music was just as important as English and math in our household" says Mahogany. "In fact piano lessons were a grade school staple for the whole family." Mahogany attended Baker University, where he performed with both instrumental and vocal ensembles and formed a vocal jazz group. In 1981, Mahogany received his BFA in Music and English Drama.
After graduation, Mahogany returned to Kansas City where he attracted a local following in the 1980s performing with his groups, "The Apollos" and "Mahogany." In 1991, he was featured on a CD by Frank Mantooth.
His first CD release as a solo artist was Double Rainbow in 1993. This was followed by the self-titled album Kevin Mahogany, which won him his first critical acclaim in the media, prompting Newsweek to call Mahogany "the standout jazz vocalist of his generation."
Mahogany appeared in Robert Altman's 1996 film Kansas City, playing a character said to be based on Kansas City singer Big Joe Turner.
Kevin Mahogany listed his vocal influences as Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, Al Jarreau and Eddie Jefferson. As a jazz educator, Mahogany taught at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and the University of Miami.
Mahogany died of a heart attack on December 17, 2017, at the age of 59.
Dark End Of The Street
Kevin Mahogany Lyrics
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That's where we'd always meet
Hiding in shadows where we don't belong
Living in darkness to hide our wrong
You and me, at the dark end of the street
You and me
I know that time's gonna take it's toll
We've got to give back all the love that we stole
Oh but our love keeps coming on strong
Steal away, to the dark end of the street
They're going to find us
They're going to find us
They're going to find us
Oh someday
You and me, at the dark end of the street
You and me
And if by chance we walk downtown
If you should see me just walk on by
But darling, please don't cry
Tonight we'll meet, at the dark end of the street
The lyrics in Kevin Mahogany's song "Dark End Of The Street" depict a forbidden love affair happening in a dark and clandestine corner of the city, away from prying eyes. The first verse sets the mood: "That's where we'd always meet/Hiding in shadows where we don't belong/Living in darkness to hide our wrong." Despite knowing that what they’re doing is a sin and wrong, the lovers keep coming back to the dark end of the street, where they can express their love freely without any judgement or condemnation.
The second verse acknowledges the consequences that the lovers will eventually face, with the lyrics "I know that time’s gonna take its toll/We've got to give back all the love that we stole." The lovers also know that their secrecy will eventually be discovered with the lines "They're going to find us/They're going to find us/They're going to find us/Oh someday." But they cannot resist the allure of their love for each other, as it continues to grow stronger despite its forbidden nature.
The final verse acknowledges the harsh reality of their situation. If the lovers happen to cross paths in public, they must ignore each other and pretend as if they don't know each other. However, they take comfort in the fact that they can always meet each other at the dark end of the street. Overall, these lyrics are a poignant expression of a love affair that cannot be flaunted and must remain hidden away from society.
Line by Line Meaning
At the dark end of the street
At the place where it is dark and lonely on the street
That's where we'd always meet
That is the place we frequently meet
Hiding in shadows where we don't belong
Concealing ourselves in darkness, where we don't belong
Living in darkness to hide our wrong
Existing in obscurity to conceal our mistakes
You and me, at the dark end of the street
Both of us are at the gloomy section of the road
You and me
Us, together
I know that time's gonna take it's toll
I know that eventually, time will catch up with us
We've got to give back all the love that we stole
We must return all the love we took from others
It's a sin and we know it's wrong
It is immoral, and we recognize it
Oh but our love keeps coming on strong
Nevertheless, our love continues to be powerful
Steal away, to the dark end of the street
Escape to the desolate side of the street
They're going to find us
They will ultimately locate us
They're going to find us
They will eventually find us
They're going to find us
They will ultimately find us
Oh someday
Eventually, someday
You and me, at the dark end of the street
Both of us, at the gloomy section of the road
You and me
Both of us
And if by chance we walk downtown
And if, by chance, we walk to the city center
If you should see me just walk on by
If you happen to see me, please ignore me and keep walking
But darling, please don't cry
However, my dear, please don't cry
Tonight we'll meet, at the dark end of the street
Tonight, we will see each other at the dark side of the street
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHIPS MOMAN, DAN PENN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind