Miles Davis and the Modern Jazz Giants is an album recorded by Miles Davis,… Read Full Bio ↴Miles Davis and the Modern Jazz Giants is an album recorded by Miles Davis, for Prestige Records. Most of the album comes from a session on 24 December 1954, but "'Round Midnight" is from the sessions by Davis's new quintet in 1956 which resulted in Steamin' with the Miles Davis Quintet and three other albums to fulfil Davis's contract with Prestige.
The 1954 session is notable as the only time Thelonious Monk made a studio recording with Davis - the two men did not get on well, as Davis felt Monk ought to be "laying out" (refraining from playing) during the trumpeter's solos. Ira Gitler, who was present at the session and wrote the sleevenotes for the album, dispels the myth that the two men confronted each other physically, but there was argument throughout the session. The first take of "The Man I Love" has a false start caused by Monk asking when he should start playing, and an exasperated Davis telling engineer Rudy Van Gelder, "Hey Rudy, put this on the record, man - all of it!".
"Bags' Groove", also recorded at the 1954 session, can be found on the album Bags' Groove.

The Man I Love
Miles Davis and the Modern Jazz Giants Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Someday he'll come along
The man I love
And he'll be big and strong
The man I love
And when he comes my way
I'll do my best to make him stay

He'll look at me and smile

I'll understand
Then in a little while
He'll take my hand
And though it seems absurd
I know we both won't say a word

Maybe I shall meet him Sunday
Maybe Monday, maybe not
Still I'm sure to meet him one day
Maybe Tuesday will be my good news day
He'll build a little home
That's meant for two
From which I'll never roam
Who would, would you

And so all else above
I'm dreaming of the man I love

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song "The Man I Love" by Miles Davis are about finding love and the dream of being with the perfect man. The singer talks about the qualities that she wants in a partner, hoping that he will be big and strong. She sings about how she will do her best to make him stay once he comes into her life. She dreams of someone who will understand her, take her hand without saying a word and build a little home meant for two. The lyrics are simple, yet they convey the essence of what it feels like to be dreaming of finding your true love.

The song is a poignant depiction of the longing for love and companionship. The lyrics not only talk about the desire for a partner but also the need for a sense of belonging, the desire to have a place where one can truly call home. The words are delicately crafted to enhance the emotional depth of the song, making it a timeless classic.

The song was originally composed by George Gershwin for the musical comedy Lady, Be Good! in 1924. It has been covered by many artists such as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Judy Garland. Miles Davis's instrumental version of the song was released in 1951 on his album "The Man I Love."

Line by Line Meaning

Someday he'll come along
One day, the perfect man for me will show up

The man I love
The person I've always dreamed of and am in love with

And he'll be big and strong
He will be powerful and physically impressive

And when he comes my way
When he arrives where I am

I'll do my best to make him stay
I will try my hardest to make him want to stay with me

He'll look at me and smile
He will give me a warm smile

I'll understand
I will know what he means without him having to say it

Then in a little while
After a short amount of time

He'll take my hand
He will grab my hand

And though it seems absurd
Even if it seems unrealistic or unbelievable

I know we both won't say a word
We won't need to talk to communicate with each other