Cyprus-born (of Armenian ancestry) Canadian-American songwriter, singer, guitarist, actor, and voice actor specializing in jazz, blues, and Tin Pan Alley classics. Recognized by his Panama hat, dark sunglasses, and black tie, he first appeared on stage in Toronto, Canada, in the early 1970s. As well as music, he also appeared on film and television in acting and voice-over roles.
Redbone, who had a distinctive deep voice, began his career in the 1970s. His work encompassed pre-war jazz, ragtime, & blues styles with modern arrangements that still retain a vintage feel.
While living in Canada in the early 1970s, Redbone began performing in public at Toronto area nightclubs and folk music festivals. At one point, it was rumored that he was actually comedian Andy Kaufman, who sometimes took on other identities, or Frank Zappa, who somewhat resembled Redbone. However, Redbone has performed since the deaths of Kaufman and Zappa, and the rumors have subsided. David Letterman once proposed that he was Don Novello, the comedian famous for playing Father Guido Sarducci.
In 1974, Rolling Stone magazine ran a feature article on Redbone, a full year before he had a recording contract. The article described his performances as "so authentic you can hear the surface noise [of an old 78 rpm]." His first album, On the Track, was released by Warner Bros. Records in 1975. He was introduced to a larger public as a semi-regular musical guest on NBC's Saturday Night Live throughout the late 1970s and into the 1980s. In a late-'70s appearance on the The Merv Griffin Show, he was introduced as "Andy Kaufman ...maybe or maybe not," alluding to the eccentric comedian as being his possible true identity.
During the 1980s-90s Redbone was a frequent guest on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. It was apparent from the on-air exchanges between host and guest that Carson was a fan of Redbone's work.
Redbone survived the crash of a small plane in Clarksburg WV on Feb. 12, 1979.
Breeze
Leon Redbone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That blew my gal away
I've had the blues all day
Since early morn, oh
You get a whistlin through the trees
When I woke up this morning you were gone, moh
Breeze
She was my blushin bride
So hear my plea, oh
Hear me beggin, on my knees
Blow her back to me
Blow my baby back to me
It's an ill wind that blows nobody good
Blows nobody good they say
If anybody knows, I certainly should
Cause it blew my gal away
Breeze
That blew my gal away
I've had the blues all day, since early morn
You get a whistlin through the trees
When I woke up this mornin she was gone, oh
Breeze
You blew her from my side
She was my blushin bride
So hear my plea, oh
Hear my beggin, on my knees
Blow her back to me
Blow my baby back to me
The song "Breeze" by Leon Redbone is a classic blues track that was released in 1975 as a part of his debut album "On the Track". The song explores the theme of lost love and the pain of separation. The lyrics describe a man who wakes up to find that his loved one has been taken away by the wind. He sings about how he has been feeling blue ever since early morning, when the wind took his beloved away. The wind is personified in this song as a force of nature that is both unpredictable and powerful.
The song is laden with nostalgia and a sense of longing. Redbone croons about how much he misses his "blushin bride" and how he is begging the wind to blow her back to him. He adds a touch of irony when he sings "It's an ill wind that blows nobody good, blows nobody good they say. If anybody knows, I certainly should, cause it blew my gal away". The song is a perfect representation of the simple yet profound lyrics that are quintessential to early blues music.
One of the interesting facts about this song is that Leon Redbone's real name is Dickran Gobalian. He was an enigmatic performer who never revealed too many details about his life. He was known for his unique voice and his love for early jazz and blues music. The album "On The Track" that Breeze was featured in, reached the top 100 on the US charts and had sold over 500,000 copies by 2011.
Another interesting fact about this song is that it has been covered by several other musicians, including Mississippi John Hurt and Joshua Rifkin. It has also been used in several movies and TV shows, including the 2006 movie "Dreamgirls". The song has been credited with being one of the greatest blues tracks of all time, and it's easy to see why. Redbone's voice perfectly captures the melancholic yet hopeful vibe of the song.
Chords:
Verse:
Am G F E7
Am G F E7
Am G F E7
Am G F E7
Chorus:
Dm E7 Am
Dm E7 Am
Dm E7 Am
Dm E7 Am
Line by Line Meaning
Breeze
The wind that blew my girlfriend away
That blew my gal away
The wind that blew my girlfriend away
I've had the blues all day
I am feeling down since my girlfriend left
Since early morn, oh
Since the early morning hours
You get a whistlin through the trees
The sound of wind whistling through trees
When I woke up this morning you were gone, moh
My girlfriend left while I was sleeping
Breeze
The wind that blew my girlfriend away
You blew her from my side
The wind carried away my girlfriend from me
She was my blushin bride
She was my recently wedded wife
So hear my plea, oh
Please listen to my plea
Hear me beggin, on my knees
Me, pleading on my knees
Blow her back to me
Bring my girlfriend back to me with the wind
Blow my baby back to me
Bring my girlfriend back to me with the wind
It's an ill wind that blows nobody good
Even a bad situation can benefit someone else
Blows nobody good they say
It's said that no wind blows that doesn't benefit someone else
If anybody knows, I certainly should
I should know about it because the wind took my girlfriend away
Cause it blew my gal away
Because the wind took my girlfriend away
Contributed by Elijah P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@pauldaly2947
Nearly 30 years since I first heard this! Now, suddenly, I'm 18 years old again!
So much love!!!
@LeonRedboneTributeChannel
One of my favorites of all his recordings.
@guitarcoyote
Simply the best crooner that there ever was. Can’t think of another singer that even comes close.
@Detelinka68
How beautiful and lonely, heartbreaking... My precious friend Steve I just lost, once told me to check out singer Leon Redbone, now I`m doing this with heavy heart and sorrow... But fell deeply in love with Leon`s blues and genius, I find him just perfect! Thank you so much for sharing this bitter sweet melody!!! Leaves in the breeze - that`s what we are...
@joannl231
So talented...your voice I love it...a gift...xxxooo
@rstefan250
Boardwalk Empire brought me here. Beautiful music!
@LeonRedboneTributeChannel
The Leon Redbone Tribute Channel has just Started an official Companion group on Face Book Called "Leon Redbone Tribute Group" This group will allow Subscribers from the Leon Redbone Tribute Channel to be part of a more interactive Community where we can share the love of Leon Redbone's music, career, and legacy. I welcome All Susbscribers to come and join the NEW Face Book Group at the following link www.facebook.com/groups/leonredbone/