In the mid-1950s, he moved to England and worked at the BBC. Upon his return to America, he toured with Woody Herman in 1958 and with Al Cohn/Zoot Sims between 1959 and 1960. A prolific studio musician, he played with Duke Ellington in 1964 and with the Kenny Burrell Trio, Coleman Hawkins, Lee Konitz, Roy Eldridge, Michel Legrand, Milt Buckner, Jay McShann and Quincy Jones in the 1960s and 1970s. From 1967 to 1970, he taught at the Berklee College of Music.
Holley was known for singing along with his arco (bowed) bass solos, a technique Slam Stewart also used. Holley and Stewart recorded two albums together.
Holley died of a heart attack in Maplewood, New Jersey, at the age of 66.
Like Someone in Love
Major Holley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hearing guitars like someone in love.
Sometimes the things I do astound me,
Mostly whenever you're around me.
Lately I seem to walk as though I had wings,
Bump into things like someone in love.
Each time I look at you,
I'm limp as a glove,
The lyrics of Major Holley's song Like Someone In Love describe the feeling of being in love, and how it affects one's actions and emotions. The singer portrays themselves as someone completely in awe of their love interest, finding themselves staring at the stars and hearing sweet melodies in their ears when they think of them. As they continue to be near this person, they feel as though they have wings and walk aimlessly into things, almost as if they have lost control of themselves.
The final phrase, "Each time I look at you, I'm limp as a glove, And feeling like someone in love" emphasizes the intense hold that the love interest has over the singer, making them weak and completely consumed in love.
It's interesting to note that this song was actually written by renowned composer Jimmy Van Heusen and lyricist Johnny Burke in 1944 for the film Belle of the Yukon. It went on to be covered by many artists and become a jazz standard. Remarkably, some of the most popular versions of this song were made long after its debut, such as the Chet Baker and Ella Fitzgerald renditions.
Line by Line Meaning
Lately, I find myself out gazing at stars,
Hearing guitars like someone in love.
Recently, I have been looking at the stars and listening to music as if I were in love with someone.
Sometimes the things I do astound me,
Mostly whenever you're around me.
At times, I surprise myself with my actions, particularly when I am in your presence.
Lately I seem to walk as though I had wings,
Bump into things like someone in love.
Recently, I have been walking with lightness, almost as if I were floating, but at times I am clumsy due to being lost in thought about love.
Each time I look at you,
I'm limp as a glove,
And feeling like someone in love.
Every time I lay my eyes on you, I become lost in thought and feel weak and powerless, just like someone who is in love.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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