Walter "Maynard" Ferguson (May 4, 1928 – August 23, 2006) was a Canadian-bo… Read Full Bio ↴Walter "Maynard" Ferguson (May 4, 1928 – August 23, 2006) was a Canadian-born jazz trumpet player and bandleader.

Maynard's first idol was trumpeter Harry James and he first received his music union card at age thirteen. He left Montreal at age eighteen with close friend and schoolmate, Oscar Peterson and secured a contract recording session work with RCA Victor's prestigious Jazz division.

He came to prominence playing in Stan Kenton's orchestra, before forming his own band in 1957. He was noted for being able to play accurately in a remarkably high register, and for his bands, which served as stepping stones for up-and-coming talent. Maynard also played a solo at the Closing Ceremony of the 1976 Summer Olympic Games at Montreal, Canada.

the way we were
Maynard Ferguson Lyrics

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Memories light the corners of my mind
Misty water-colored memories of the way we were
Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind
Smiles we gave to one another for the way we were

Can it be that it was all so simple then
Or has time rewritten every line
If we had the chance to do it all again

Tell me, would we?
Could we?

Memories may be beautiful and yet
What's too painful to remember
We simply choose to forget
So it's the laughter we will remember
Whenever we remember

The way we were
The way we were

Overall Meaning

Maynard Ferguson's song "The Way We Were" is rich with emotion and nostalgia. The first verse speaks of memories that light the corners of the singer's mind. The memories are water-colored and misty, indicating that they are not crystal clear but rather blurred by time. These memories are of the way things used to be, of a time when the smiles on people's faces were genuine and unforced. The second verse poses a question about whether things were truly simple back then or whether time has rewritten every line. This is a common sentiment, as people often look back on the past with rose-tinted glasses and forget the struggles or difficulties that came with it. The singer wonders if given the chance, would they do it all again? This line is open-ended, leaving the listener to ponder if the singer regrets the past or if they are content with it.

The final verse reminds the listener that despite the beauty of memories, they can also be painful. The human mind has the ability to selectively forget and remember, and sometimes painful memories are better left forgotten. However, the laughter that was shared during those happy moments is what people will remember most about the way things used to be.

Maynard Ferguson's "The Way We Were" is a powerful reminder of how much the past can affect our present emotions. It is a perfect example of how memories are not just thoughts, but are also emotional experiences. This song is a great ode to nostalgia and reflection.

Line by Line Meaning

Memories light the corners of my mind
Recollections illuminate the edges of my thoughts

Misty water-colored memories of the way we were
Vague, dreamlike memories of our past

Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind
Dispersed photographs of the happy times we've had

Smiles we gave to one another for the way we were
The grins we exchanged due to how we were at the time

Can it be that it was all so simple then
Is it possible that everything was easy at that point

Or has time rewritten every line
Or has the duration transformed everything

If we had the chance to do it all again
If we were presented with the opportunity to relive it

Tell me, would we?
Inform me, would we do it?

Could we?
Are we capable of doing it?

Memories may be beautiful and yet
Remembrances can be attractive, but still

What's too painful to remember
What is too agonizing to recall