El… Read Full Bio ↴Kurt Elling (born November 2, 1967) is an American jazz vocalist.
Elling graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota in 1989. He then enrolled in The University of Chicago's Divinity School and remained a student there until January 1992, when he left school one credit short of graduation.
In the last decade, Elling has released seven albums for the Blue Note label. He has also performed and recorded with many musicians, including David Amram, Bob Belden, Joanne Brackeen, Oscar Brown, Jr., Billy Corgan, Orbert Davis, George Freeman, Buddy Guy, Jon Hendricks, Charlie Hunter and Rex Richardson.
As of late 2005, Elling's current band includes Rob Amster on bass, Laurence Hobgood on piano, and Kobe Watkins on drums. He is regularly featured at the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge at 4802 N. Broadway in Chicago.
Elling has won the Down Beat and JazzTimes criticsā polls three years in a row in the Best Male Singer category. He is also Vice Chair of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the 17,000-member service organization that produces the annual Grammy Awards.
Undun
Kurt Elling Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She didn't know what she was headed for
And when I found what she was headed for
It was too late
She's come undun
She found a mountain that was far too high
And when she found out she couldn't fly
It's too late
She's gone too far
She's lost the sun
She's come undun
She wanted truth but all she got was lies
Came the time to realize
And it was too late
She's come undun
She didn't know what she was headed for
And when I found what she was headed for
Mama, it was too late
It's too late
She's gone too far
She's lost the sun
She's come undun
Too many mountains, and not enough stairs to climb
Too many churches and not enough truth
Too many people and not enough eyes to see
Too many lives to lead and not enough time
It's too late
She's gone too far
She's lost the sun
She's gone too far
She's lost the sun
She's come undun
She didn't know what she was headed for
And when I found what she was headed for
It was too late
She's come undun
She found a mountain that was far too high
And when she found out she couldn't fly
Mama, it was too late
It's too late
She's gone too far
She's lost the sun
The lyrics of Kurt Elling's "Undun" are deeply poignant, relating the story of a woman who has come to a point of no return. The song, a poignant ballad, speaks of her journey through life, and the struggles she faced, including the betrayal of those she trusted most. The lyrics tell of her search for truth, and her desire to uncover the secrets of the world around her. Yet, despite her determination and her courage, she ultimately finds herself lost and alone.
The song speaks to the universal human experience of striving for something better, only to be disappointed and disillusioned. The lyrics are particularly relatable to those who have felt like there were too many mountains to climb or too many challenges to overcome. It's a song about hope and the despair that can come when that hope is shattered.
One of the most interesting facts about the song is that it was originally recorded by The Guess Who in 1969. The original version was a hit in Canada and reached the top 40 in the United States, but it was not as successful as some of the band's other songs. Kurt Elling's version was released in 2007 and has become one of his most popular tracks.
Line by Line Meaning
She's come undun
She has come undone
She didn't know what she was headed for
She was unsure about her destination
And when I found what she was headed for
And when I discovered her intended path
It was too late
It was too late to change the course
She found a mountain that was far too high
She faced an insurmountable obstacle
And when she found out she couldn't fly
And when she realized she had limitations
It was too late
It was too late to make necessary changes
It's too late
There is no turning back now
She's gone too far
She has gone too deep into her situation
She's lost the sun
She has lost her way and her hope
She wanted truth but all she got was lies
She desired authenticity but received deception
Came the time to realize
The moment of realization arrived
Mama, it was too late
Mom, it was too late to fix the problem
Too many mountains, and not enough stairs to climb
Too many challenges and not enough resources or support to overcome them
Too many churches and not enough truth
Too many institutions or people claiming righteousness without genuine integrity
Too many people and not enough eyes to see
Too many individuals with limited perspectives or empathy to understand others' struggles
Too many lives to lead and not enough time
Too many opportunities or responsibilities to fulfill without sufficient time or energy
Lyrics Ā© BMG Rights Management
Written by: Randy Bachman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@perry12328
Everone makes mistakes, you won't make that one again.
I hope things are better for you now, and either way they will be in time.
Nobody whose honestly sorry deserves ruin, and the sooner you can start digging the sooner you'll be free.
Give yourself a break where you can. And keep putting one foot in front of the other.
No one is perfect, and you deserve as much as anyone to earn your way back to freedom and happiness. You already feel sorry, so now its time to start digging out.
Very best wishes to you
@SB-yl1ng
Kurt Elling The Guess Who such a sweet co creator ONE Two Kurt Elling The Guess Who like looking up too the sky Is Magical Magic, Thank You Kurt Lawrence John still growing God's Blessings šššā¤ .
@guypagan4695
I've been listening to this master voice for over 2 years now...excellent. Love driving in the city, during the evening hours while playing his music
@jabbermocky
First time I heard Kurt Elling, back in 2002, I was living in Vermont, camping beside the Green River on the 4th of July, when I turned on the battery powered radio and got an NPR station that featured the late, great Marian McPartland's weekly jazz interview show. Kurt was the guest, that day. I listened closely as they played together, Marian on piano and Kurt singing live. Honestly, I thought he was a young, Black jazz baritone with a voice to rival Jon Hendricks'. Then, I went to see him perform with Laurence Hobgood and Rob Amster at Sculler's in Boston. Wow! Kurt Elling's voice just gets better as he ages. What a jazz treasure!
@RamMusicGroup
I Ran across this a few years ago when I was in Montreal and I have been I fan ever since. Pure voice and so talented. A true Artist
@boskosdoghouse
Kurt is the Master of phrasing there is nobody that comes close in todays era.
@SB-yl1ng
IS not a competition IS a celebration LOVE .
@bpatient843
I had forgotten about this song sooo glad I stumbled upon it once again.
@jillsalkin7389
Isn't it amazing that someone with a voice like this, and the additional talent of a unique approach to presentation, was one credit short of his degree in divinity school?!
@denisenoel3852
Taxi driver in Fredericton NB turned me onto Kurt Elliing and I`ve been a fan ever since.
@YouthdemCompany
pure, good, better & best