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.
Some Of These Days
Leon Redbone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're gonna miss me, baby
Some of these days
You're gonna feel you're so lonely
You'll miss my huggin'
You're gonna miss my kissin'
You'll miss me, baby
You'll feel so lonely
And want me only
'Cause you'll know, baby
You always had your way
And if you leave me
You know, it's gonna grill me
You're gonna miss, your thin little daddy
Some of these days
I said some of these days
You're gonna miss me, baby
I'm talking about days
You're gonna feel so lonely
You're gonna miss my huggin'
You're gonna miss my kissin'
You'll miss me, baby
When I'm long gone away
You're gonna feel so lonely
And beg for me only
'Cause you know, baby
I always gave you, your way
And if you leave me
You know, it's gonna grill me
You'll miss, your thin little daddy
Some of these days
Leon Redbone's Some of These Days is a song about a lover's departure and the repercussions it will have on the person left behind. The lyrics describe a situation where the singer predicts that their partner will miss them terribly when they are gone, and will feel lonely and desperate for their return. The themes of love, loss, and regret are threaded throughout the song as the singer pleads with their partner not to leave them. The use of the phrase "some of these days" creates a sense of inevitability, suggesting that the singer knows that their partner will eventually come to regret their decision to leave.
The first stanza of the song sets the tone by stating that "Some of these days, you're gonna miss me, baby," emphasizing that the singer is confident that their partner will long for their return. The second stanza describes the physical components of the relationship that the partner will miss, such as hugging and kissing. In the third stanza, the singer expresses their belief that the partner will ultimately feel lonely and want them back since they always had things their way. The final stanza is a plea to the partner to stay, with the singer declaring that if they leave, it will "grill" them and that they will miss their "thin little daddy."
Line by Line Meaning
Some of these days
At some point in the future
You're gonna miss me, baby
You will feel the absence of my presence and regret taking it for granted.
Some of these days
At some point in the future
You're gonna feel you're so lonely
You will feel isolated and crave companionship.
You'll miss my huggin'
You will long for my physical affection.
You're gonna miss my kissin'
You will regret not returning my love and affection.
You'll miss me, baby
You will miss my presence in your life.
When I am far away
When I am no longer close to you.
You'll feel so lonely
You will experience deep feelings of isolation.
And want me only
You will yearn to have me back in your life.
'Cause you'll know, baby
Because you will realize and understand
You always had your way
You always got what you wanted and disregarded my feelings.
And if you leave me
If you choose to end our relationship
You know, it's gonna grill me
It will deeply upset me.
You're gonna miss, your thin little daddy
You'll crave the love and protection only I could provide.
Some of these days
At some point in the future.
I said some of these days
I am emphasizing the point that at some point in the future
You're gonna miss me, baby
You will regret my absence and feel my loss.
I'm talking about days
I am referring to a specific period of time in the future.
You're gonna feel so lonely
You will experience intense feelings of isolation.
You're gonna miss my huggin'
You will miss the warmth and comfort of my embrace.
You're gonna miss my kissin'
You'll regret not returning the love and affection that I had shown you.
You'll miss me, baby
You will yearn for my presence in your life.
When I'm long gone away
When I am no longer with you.
You're gonna feel so lonely
You'll experience deep feelings of isolation and solitude.
And beg for me only
You'll plead to have me back in your life.
'Cause you know, baby
Because you will come to understand
I always gave you, your way
I always put your needs and wants first, regardless of my own.
And if you leave me
If you choose to end our relationship.
You know, it's gonna grill me
It will deeply upset and hurt me.
You'll miss, your thin little daddy
You will crave the love, protection, and care that only I could provide.
Some of these days
At some point in the future.
Contributed by Isabella N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
THE WITCH'S DUNGEON
There is only one Leon Redbone, his music always gives me a smile, it can brighten a very dull day! Thanks - Cortlandt
Terry Harrison
The Carson show was where I first saw Leon. I couldnt believe my ears. I got up off the couch and stood in front of the tv during his entire performance. I love that vintage RCA microphone too.
John Sandin
This is my favorite Leon Redbone recording. The bigger the audience, the more focused he is.
pi314too
Leon was a pretty big star at one time :) He was fantastic.
Alan Pat
people who have never heard Leon are really missing out on class!
David Rice
What a voice!
red rowan2000
2 masters at work Leon redbone and Bobby Gordon--Sorry 3--Johnny Carson.
The Metalnaut
I love the Clarinet when played like this.
don knotts
leon redbone is incomparable
donluke578
you can say that again.....what a talent....!!!