Milton "Bags" Jackson (January 1, 1923 – October 9, 1999) was an American j… Read Full Bio ↴Milton "Bags" Jackson (January 1, 1923 – October 9, 1999) was an American jazz vibraphonist, usually thought of as a bebop player, although he performed in several jazz idioms. He is especially remembered for his cool swinging solos as a member of the Modern Jazz Quartet and his penchant for collaborating with several hard bop and post-bop players.

A very expressive player, Jackson differentiated himself from other vibraphonists in his attention to variations on harmonics and rhythm. He was particularly fond of the twelve-bar blues at slow tempos. He preferred to set the vibraphone's oscillator to a low 3.3 revolutions per second (as opposed to Lionel Hampton's speed of 10 revolutions per second) for a more subtle vibrato. On occasion, Jackson would also sing and play piano professionally.

He was discovered by Dizzy Gillespie, who hired him for his sextet in 1946. He quickly acquired experience working with the most important figures in jazz of the era, including John Coltrane, Woody Herman, Howard McGhee, Thelonious Monk, and Charlie Parker. In the Gillespie big band one of his jobs was to play in a quartet with John Lewis, Percy Heath, and Kenny Clarke while the horn section took a break from the demanding high-register horn parts. This group became the Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ), which had a long independent career of 20 years until disbanding in 1974 over financial problems (though it reformed in 1981). Jackson then toured alone, performing in various small combos.

From the mid-70s to the mid-80s, Jackson recorded for Norman Granz's Pablo Records, including the classic, "Jackson, Johnson, Brown & Company" (1983), featuring Jackson with J.J. Johnson on trombone, Ray Brown on bass, backed by Tom Ranier on piano, guitarist John Collins, and drummer Roy McCurdy.

He also guested on recordings by many leading jazz, blues and soul artists, such as B.B. King, Ray Charles, etc.

His composition "Bags' Groove" ("Bags" was his nickname, from the 'bags' under his eyes from staying up late) is a jazz standard. He has been featured on the NPR radio program Jazz Profiles.

Body & Soul
Milt Jackson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

My heart is sad and lonely
For you I sigh, for you dear only
Why haven't you seen it
I'm all for you body and soul

I spend my days in longing
And wondering why it's me you're wronging
I tell you I mean it

I'm all for you body and soul

I can't believe it
It's hard to conceive it
That you'd turn away romance
Are you pretending
It looks like the ending
Unless I could have just one more chance to prove, dear

My life a wreck you're making
You know I'm yours for just the taking
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul

My life a wreck you're making

You know I'm yours for the very taking
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Milt Jackson's "Body and Soul" express the deep sadness and longing of the singer for a lover who seems to be indifferent to his affection. The first verse sets the tone, as the singer's "heart is sad and lonely" and he longs for the object of his love. The second verse reveals his frustration and hurt, wondering why he is being "wronged" and expressing his willingness to do anything to win his lover's affection. The third verse describes the singer's disbelief and confusion that his lover would turn away from him; he appeals for another chance to prove his love. The final verse reiterates the singer's willingness to give everything of himself to his lover, even if the relationship is causing him emotional pain.

Line by Line Meaning

My heart is sad and lonely
I feel a deep sorrow and emptiness in my heart

For you I sigh, for you dear only
You are the only one I long for and desire

Why haven't you seen it
I wonder why you haven't noticed my love for you

I'm all for you body and soul
I am completely devoted to you, with every fiber of my being

I spend my days in longing
I constantly yearn for you and feel incomplete without you

And wondering why it's me you're wronging
I am confused and hurt by your rejection of me

I tell you I mean it
I am not just saying this, I truly mean it

I'm all for you body and soul
I am completely devoted to you, with every fiber of my being

I can't believe it
I am in disbelief about your actions

It's hard to conceive it
It is difficult for me to understand how you could do this

That you'd turn away romance
I am surprised and hurt that you would reject my romantic advances

Are you pretending
I wonder if you are pretending not to feel the same way about me

It looks like the ending
It seems like our relationship is coming to an end

Unless I could have just one more chance to prove, dear
I hope to have another opportunity to show you how much I love you

My life a wreck you're making
You are causing chaos and turmoil in my life

You know I'm yours for just the taking
I am completely devoted to you and willing to be taken by you

I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul
I am willing to give myself completely to you, both physically and emotionally

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Paul Michael Barry, Phil Simpson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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