"I Loves You Porgy" has been recorded by a number of popular vocalists and jazz musicians. Nina Simone's recording of the song (from Little Girl Blue, 1958) was a Top 40 hit in the United States in 1958. Bill Evans' piano trio version, available on At the Village Vanguard (1961) and the CD re-issue of the album Waltz for Debby, is also acclaimed.
A total of six versions of this song are among recordings inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame:
* GERSHWIN: Porgy and Bess (Opera) - Lehman Engel, cond. Cast: Lawrence Winters and Camilla Williams; Columbia (1951)
Musical Show (Album); Inducted 1976
* "I Loves You, Porgy" - Nina Simone; Bethlehem (1959)
Jazz (Single); Inducted 2000
* Porgy and Bess - Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald; Verve (1958)
Jazz (Album); Inducted 2001
* Porgy and Bess - Miles Davis & Gil Evans; Columbia (1958)
Jazz (Album); Inducted 2000
* Porgy and Bess - Alexander Smallens cond. Lawrence Tibbett, Helen Jepson, The Original Orchestra and Chorus; "Under the Supervision of the Composer"; Victor (1935)
Musical Show (Album); Inducted 2002
* Porgy and Bess Highlights, Volumes 1 & 2 Original Cast and Broadway Revival Cast - Todd Duncan, Anne Brow; Decca (1940-42)
Musical Show (Album); Inducted 1990
Pop diva Whitney Houston sang "I Loves You Porgy" as the beginning of a medley at the 1994 American Music Awards.
Christina Aguilera performed “I Loves You Porgy” live on television at the nomination concert for the 51st Grammy Awards (youtube video) on December 3, 2008.
I Loves You Porgy
Miles Davis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't let him take me
Don't let him handle me
And drive me mad
If you can keep me
I want to stay with you forever
And I'll be glad
I love you, Porgy
Don't let him take me
Don't let him handle me
With his hot hands
If you can keep me
I want to stay with you forever
I like my man
Someday I know he's coming
Back to call me
He's gonna handle me
And hold me so
It's going to be like dying, Porgy
When he calls me
But when he comes, I know
I'll have to go
Miles Davis's song I Loves You Porgy is a haunting and beautiful love song. The lyrics express the fear and desperation of a woman in love with someone who is not good for her. The woman, addressed as Porgy, begs him not to let another man take her away, not to let him handle her or drive her mad. She wants to stay with Porgy forever and be glad. She loves Porgy, and she begs him not to let this other man touch her with his hot hands.
The second verse reiterates her desires to stay with Porgy forever and her declaration of love for him. She likes her man, and if Porgy can keep her, she'll be happy. The third verse is a bit more ominous, as she acknowledges that someday the man who will handle her and hold her is coming back to call her. She is resigned to the fact that she'll have to go when he calls her, and it's going to feel like dying. Despite this, she still loves Porgy and wants to stay with him forever.
The lyrics to I Loves You Porgy convey a deep sense of longing and sorrow. The woman in the song is in a difficult and potentially dangerous situation, and she turns to Porgy for help and sanctuary. The lyrics are a testament to the power of love and the lengths people will go to in order to protect it.
Line by Line Meaning
I love you, Porgy
I have deep affection for you, Porgy
Don't let him take me
Please protect me from him taking me away from you
Don't let him handle me
Please prevent him from touching me and bothering me
And drive me mad
And making me crazy and overwhelmed
If you can keep me
If you are able to keep me by your side
I want to stay with you forever
I desire to spend the rest of my life with you
And I'll be glad
And I will be happy and content
With his hot hands
With his overpowering and passionate touch
I like my man
I find you, Porgy, to be the kind of man I appreciate and love
Someday I know he's coming
I am aware that he will come looking for me someday
Back to call me
To take me with him when he leaves
He's gonna handle me
He will touch and treat me in his way
And hold me so
And embrace me intimately
It's going to be like dying, Porgy
It will feel as if I am slowly dying, Porgy
When he calls me
When it is time for me to leave with him
But when he comes, I know
But despite that, when he arrives, I understand that I must go
I'll have to go
I am compelled to leave with him and say goodbye to you
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DU BOSE HEYWARD, GEORGE GERSHWIN, IRA GERSHWIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
San Eckelhöfer
Miles Davis – trumpet, flugelhorn
Ernie Royal, Bernie Glow, Johnny Coles and Louis Mucci – trumpet
Dick Hixon, Frank Rehak, Jimmy Cleveland and Joe Bennett – trombone
Willie Ruff, Julius Watkins and Gunther Schuller – horn
Bill Barber – tuba
Phil Bodner, Jerome Richardson and Romeo Penque – flute, alto flute & clarinet
Cannonball Adderley – alto saxophone
Danny Bank – alto flute, bass flute & bass clarinet
Paul Chambers – bass
Philly Joe Jones – drums (except tracks 2, 8, 10 & 11)
Jimmy Cobb – drums (tracks 2, 8, 10 & 11)
Gil Evans – arranger & conductor
James Lein
Raw, real, vibrato-free emotion. Cuts through you.
Mr Maxxx
Miles Davis understood subtle, direct and yet direct to the point
Sokrates Votskos
Somehow i can hear Nina Simone's authentic voice following the path of Miles' melody..just beauty!
Jorge Ramirez
This song sends me to another realm.
Antonio Martinez Ogayar
Excelso
Mariette Petra van den Berg
unique!!
San Eckelhöfer
Miles Davis – trumpet, flugelhorn
Ernie Royal, Bernie Glow, Johnny Coles and Louis Mucci – trumpet
Dick Hixon, Frank Rehak, Jimmy Cleveland and Joe Bennett – trombone
Willie Ruff, Julius Watkins and Gunther Schuller – horn
Bill Barber – tuba
Phil Bodner, Jerome Richardson and Romeo Penque – flute, alto flute & clarinet
Cannonball Adderley – alto saxophone
Danny Bank – alto flute, bass flute & bass clarinet
Paul Chambers – bass
Philly Joe Jones – drums (except tracks 2, 8, 10 & 11)
Jimmy Cobb – drums (tracks 2, 8, 10 & 11)
Gil Evans – arranger & conductor
Pamela Meyers
This and Nina Simone's brings me to tears.
Ken Wilson
Interesting. I just posted both those versions on Facebook and noted that, yes, I cry every time I hear them.
closetome
so dark and tangible. Defies categorization...wow!!!!