Michel Legrand made his fame and fortune from writing for films, but he has done significant work in jazz on an occasional basis. In 1957, he arranged a set of dixieland and swing standards for a French orchestra (recorded on Philips), in 1958 he used three different all-star groups for the classic Legrand Jazz (with such sidemen as Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Phil Woods, Herbie Mann, Bill Evans, Ben Webster, Art Farmer and others), in 1968 he recorded a strictly jazz set with a trio and Legrand has written for albums led by Stan Getz (1971), Sarah Vaughan (1972), and on several occasions, Phil Woods. Several of his songs (such as "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life", "Watch What Happens" and "The Summer Knows") have been recorded many times by jazz musicians.
Watch What Happens
Michel Legrand Lyrics
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I can never look at her that way
Full of all the feelings and the soft
Unspoken words that lovers say
In all the words, in all the books
I wish there were a way to say that
What she's taught me
Isn't written anywhere
Who's wise
One thing is certain
I can never be what she
Expects of me
I've wanted the shadows
I don't anymore
No matter what happens
I won't anymore
I've run from the sunlight
Afraid it saw too much
The moon had the one light
I bathed in
I walked in
I held in my feelings
And closed every door
No matter what happens
I can't anymore
There's someone who must hear
The words I've never spoken
Tonight if he were here
My silence would be broken
I need him to touch me
To know the love that's in my heart
The same heart that tells me
To see myself
To free myself
To be myself at last!
For too many mornings
The curtains were drawn
It's time they were opened
To welcome the dawn
A voice deep inside
Is getting stronger
I can't keep it quiet any longer
No matter what happens
It can't be the same anymore
I promise it won't be the same
Anymore!
The song "No Matter What Happens" by Michel Legrand is a complex reflection on the singer's experiences in love and relationships. The lyrics are contemplative, as the singer laments his inability to express his emotions and capture the depth of his feelings for his lover. He acknowledges her deep emotional connection to him, but cannot understand or reciprocate it fully. The lyrics are heavily metaphorical and speak to the complexities of love and self-discovery.
The singer's deep ambivalence towards love is clear. He speaks of running from the sunlight, afraid it saw too much and basking in the moonlight. The moonlight is representative of a more contemplative and introspective approach to love, while sunlight represents the harsh reality of what love can be. The singer has been holding in his feelings and keeping his emotions locked behind closed doors. But he acknowledges that he cannot continue this way, that he needs to be true to himself and love honestly.
The song ends on a hopeful note, promising that things won't be the same anymore. The singer is ready to open himself up to new experiences and embrace the dawn of a new day. He speaks of a voice deep inside that is getting stronger, telling him that he can't keep his feelings hidden any longer. The final lines of the song are a stirring call to action, a promise that things will change, that the singer will be true to himself and love completely.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at how she looks at me
I cannot contemplate admiring her the same way she does to me
Full of all the feelings and the soft
Overflowing with emotions and tenderness
Unspoken words that lovers say
Unexpressed sentiments commonly shared among couples
In all the words, in all the books
Despite all literature available
I wish there were a way to say that
I still cannot communicate
What she's taught me
The lessons given by her
Isn't written anywhere
Unavailable in any written source
And I'm supposed to be the one
Nonetheless, people expect me to be the experienced one
Who's wise
The knowledgeable and insightful party
One thing is certain
But there is one fact that remains true
I can never be what she
I will never reach the expectations of her
Expects of me
The standards held for me
I've wanted the shadows
I used to embrace darkness
I don't anymore
But I don't anymore
No matter what happens
Regardless of the consequences
I won't anymore
I will no longer pursue it
I've run from the sunlight
I used to avoid light
Afraid it saw too much
Thinking that it will reveal my secrets
The moon had the one light
But the moon holds its own bright light
I bathed in
I glorified it
I walked in
I used to move in it
I held in my feelings
I kept my emotions hidden
And closed every door
And shut every entrance
No matter what happens
But things aren't the same anymore
I can't anymore
I cannot revert to my previous self again
There's someone who must hear
Someone needs to listen
The words I've never spoken
The words that have remained unsaid
Tonight if he were here
Tonight only if he was around
My silence would be broken
Then, I would be able to speak freely
I need him to touch me
I want his touch
To know the love that's in my heart
To feel the affection that is buried in me
The same heart that tells me
The same heart that reminds me
To see myself
To recognize myself
To free myself
And to unchain myself
To be myself at last!
To finally become who I am
For too many mornings
I prolonged it too much
The curtains were drawn
I kept the curtains closed
It's time they were opened
Now is the moment to let the light in
To welcome the dawn
To greet the new beginning
A voice deep inside
There is a voice within me
Is getting stronger
It's louder now
I can't keep it quiet any longer
I can no longer hide it
No matter what happens
Regardless of the consequences
It can't be the same anymore
Things will never be the same again
I promise it won't be the same
I pledge it won't be like before
Anymore!
Never again like the past
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALAN BERGMAN, MICHEL LEGRAND, BERGMAN MARILYN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brian Amato
It doesn't get any better. And what a terrific bass player. All incredible musicians.
BallslessFusionTripe
What an awesome performance put on by outstanding musicians. Cannot stop listening!
DeeBee Music
Great performance!I was fortunate enough to play this tune with Michel in Dublin in 2010...Scared the life out of me to do it, but what a great experience, one I won't ever forget.
Carlos Schvartzman
Terrific fiercy gorgeous jazz!. Legrand got superb bassist and drummer to match his creative virtuosity at the Plano, in one of his best-known compositions! 🍮👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Spenser Harris
RIP TO A LEGEND! Michel your music will last many lifetimes!
Mason Jarre
It doesn't get any better than this! What a collection of artists!
Norm Hall
I love it when the musicians are enjoying themselves play. This is great.
Ron E
Phil Woods had always been a monster on his instrument. A favorite of mine, Rest In Peace, Phil.
Michael Chapman
Use to catch Phil Woods periodically at LA's Hermosa Beach Lighthouse 'always a 3 set evening' & wanted more.... & Michel Legrand was a touch of Heaven on earth as pianist/composer 'Michel did it All & Well !!
Jim Griffin
@Michael Chapman Why this doesn't have 13 million views is staggering to me....what's gone wrong with the world...has no one seen, "The Girls of Rochefort"??? or realize real genius when the see or hear it?