Levy was born to Jewish parents in Chicago and started playing piano when he was twelve. His chief influences were Art Tatum and Bud Powell.
A professional at age nineteen, Levy played with Georgie Auld (1947 and later), Sarah Vaughan, Chubby Jackson (1947–1948), Boyd Raeburn, Woody Herman's Second Herd (1948–1950), Tommy Dorsey (1950) and Flip Phillips. Levy left music for a few years in the early fifties and then returned to gain a strong reputation as an accompanist to singers, working with Peggy Lee (1955–1973), Ella Fitzgerald (1957–1962), June Christy, Anita O'Day and Pinky Winters. Levy also played with Dizzy Gillespie, Shorty Rogers, Stan Getz, Terry Gibbs, Benny Goodman, Supersax and most of the major West Coast players. Levy recorded as a leader for Nocturne (1954), RCA, Jubilee, Philips, Interplay (1977), and Verve.
Levy died of a heart attack in Dana Point, California at the age of 72.
Lover Man
Lou Levy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I long to try something I never had
Never had no kissin'
Oh, what I've been missin'
Lover man, oh, where can you be?
The night is cold and I'm so alone
I'd give my soul just to call you my own
But no one to love me
Lover man, oh, where can you be?
I've heard it said
That the thrill of romance
Can be like a heavenly dream
I go to bed with a prayer
That you'll make love to me
Strange as it seems
Someday we'll meet
And you'll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet
Little things in my ear
Hugging and a-kissing
Oh, what I've been missing
Lover man, oh, where can you be?
The lyrics to Lou Levy's song Lover Man convey a deep sense of loneliness and longing for love. The persona in the song is feeling sad and desires to experience something new that they have never had before. They have never experienced kissing and feel like they are missing out on a significant part of their life. The repeated phrase, "Lover man, oh, where can you be?" highlights the persona's intense loneliness and their yearning for love and companionship.
As the song progresses, the persona reveals that they are so alone that they would give their soul to have someone that they could call their own. The persona acknowledges that they have heard people say that love can be a heavenly dream, and they pray that one day they will experience this love. The last verse of the song suggests that the persona is optimistic that someday they will meet their lover man who will make all their tears go away. They look forward to experiencing sweet little things like hugging and kissing, things that they have been missing out on for so long.
Overall, the lyrics to Lover Man are deeply emotional, conveying a sense of longing, loneliness, and hope for love and companionship. The repetition of the phrase "Lover Man, oh where can you be?" emphasizes the desperate and overwhelming desire for love and companionship that the persona is feeling.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know why but I'm feeling so sad
Despite not knowing the exact reason, I am currently feeling very down and depressed
I long to try something I never had
I have a strong desire to experience something new and exciting in my life
Never had no kissin'
I have never experienced the pleasure of intimacy, such as kissing
Oh, what I've been missin'
I am lamenting the fact that I have never had the opportunity to experience the joys of love and intimacy
Lover man, oh, where can you be?
I am searching for a romantic partner who can fulfill my desires and bring me the love and affection I crave
The night is cold and I'm so alone
I am currently experiencing a deep sense of loneliness and isolation, especially at night
I'd give my soul just to call you my own
I would be willing to make any sacrifice necessary in order to have you as my romantic partner
Got a moon above me
Despite my loneliness, I can still look up to the sky and see the beauty of the moon above me
But no one to love me
However, there is no one currently in my life who can offer me the love and affection that I crave
I've heard it said
I have been told by others
That the thrill of romance
The exciting feelings of being in love
Can be like a heavenly dream
Can feel like a wonderful and otherworldly experience
I go to bed with a prayer
Before I sleep, I ask for something I deeply desire
That you'll make love to me
I hope that the person I am searching for will be able to fulfill my desires for intimacy and love
Strange as it seems
Although this may appear unusual or unlikely
Someday we'll meet
I have hope and faith that one day I will find the person I am searching for
And you'll dry all my tears
This person will be able to alleviate my sadness and bring me joy and happiness
Then whisper sweet
They will say kind and affectionate things
Little things in my ear
These words will be whispered gently and closely to my ear
Hugging and a-kissing
We will embrace and kiss each other with passion and love
Oh, what I've been missing
I have never experienced these wonderful feelings and sensations, and I am deeply saddened by this fact
Lover man, oh, where can you be?
Once again, I am pleading for my future romantic partner to come into my life and provide me with the love and affection that I so desperately need and desire
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HAROLD ARLEN, TED KOEHLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind