What's New
Max Roach Clifford Brown Lyrics


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What's new
How is the world treating you
You haven't changed a bit
Handsome as ever I must admit

What's new
How did that romance come through
We haven't met since then
Gee but it's nice to see you again

What's new
Probably I'm boring you
But seeing you is grand
And you were sweet to offer your hand
I understand

Adieu
Pardon my asking what's new
Of course you couldn't know
I haven't changed
I still love you so

Adieu
Pardon my asking what's new
Of course you couldn't know




I haven't changed
I still love you so

Overall Meaning

The song "What's New" by Max Roach is a beautiful jazz ballad that speaks about reunions and catching up with an old friend or lover. The lyrics give a sense of nostalgia and fondness for the other person. The singer asks about the loved one's life, whether any romance has progressed, and acknowledges that some time has passed since they saw each other last. Despite the distance, the singer still finds the other person attractive and lovely.


The chorus goes on to say that the person may find the singer's conversation dull or uninteresting but seeing them after so long is fantastic. The singer even notes how sweet it was for the other person to offer their hand, and the final lines convey how the singer still loves the other person even though so much time has passed.


Overall, this song captures the bittersweetness of reunions, as the past cannot be regained, but there is still a fondness for the people that once mattered.


Line by Line Meaning

What's new
What has changed recently?


How is the world treating you
How have you been doing lately?


You haven't changed a bit
You look exactly the same as when I last saw you.


Handsome as ever I must admit
You are still as good-looking as ever.


How did that romance come through
What happened with that love affair you had?


We haven't met since then
We haven't seen each other since your last romance.


Gee but it's nice to see you again
It's really wonderful to see you again.


Probably I'm boring you
I'm afraid I might be boring you with my questions.


But seeing you is grand
However, it's really great to see you again.


And you were sweet to offer your hand
You were very kind to shake my hand.


I understand
I appreciate your hospitality and I understand if you have to go.


Adieu
Goodbye for now.


Pardon my asking what's new
I'm sorry for constantly asking if anything new has happened.


Of course you couldn't know
I understand that you couldn't possibly know about everything that's happening.


I haven't changed
I am still the same person that I was when we last met.


I still love you so
I still have feelings for you.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHNNY BURKE, BOB HAGGART

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@alexsimonian9822

0:00-0:11 Introduction
0:11-0:55 Head (32 measures)
0:55-0:58 Solo Break
0:58-1:44 Tenor Saxophone Solo (1 chorus)
1:44-3:20 Trumpet Solo (2 choruses)
3:20-4:08 Piano Solo (1 chorus)
4:08-4:56 Trumpet/Tenor trade fours with drums (1 chorus)
4:56-5:41 Drum Solo “(1 chorus)
5:41-5:52 Introduction
5:52-6:37 Head Out
6:37 Three-Time Tag and Ending



All comments from YouTube:

@saag111

26 June of 1956 almost 61 years now Clifford Brown passed away aged 25 in a car crash, also died in the accident young pianist Richie Powell (Bud Powell´s brother) aged 24 and Nancy, Powell´s wife aged 19. Great loss for the Jazz world. May they rest in peace. Never forgotten. Their music and spirit lives in this notes.

@williamburton7266

Gotta love Brownie! williamdburton.com

@michaelroach4219

Sucks man .beautiful music from a beautiful time.

@henriquealejandro7247

Holy shit! I didn't know this. My heart goes out to these greats. Their spirits live on forever. Taken way too soon...

@brothercaleb

Thank you so much for the details. I heard but I didn’t know the the whole story. Thanks indeed

@elizcarb_1diaz54

Great unmatched album

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@brothercaleb

To think this recording was done in mid 50s is unbelievable. The rhythm is so sophisticated as is the quality in comparison to other records of that era. And these were just 24-25yr olds at their peak... Just unbelievable!

@fabricliver

Sad to think what black music is nowadays. Embarassing.

@jordanw3178

This is one of my favorite trumpet solos of all time. The tonality, the double time swing tastefully and perfectly placed, his impeccable technique and how he flourishes accent notes in a passage, how he effortlessly floats from one melodic idea to another, to how he sets up call and response when forming melodic passages. It all brings a tear to my eyes.....Clifford will live forever through his music!

@eastonpeter1242

Love that kind of writing- thanks.

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