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.
I Got It Bad
Milt Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me to save my tears
Well I'm so mad about him
I can't live without him
Never treats me sweet and gentle
The way he should
I've got it bad
My poor heart is so sentimental
Not made of wood
I've got it so bad
And that ain't good
But when the fish are jumpin'
And Friday rolls around
My man an' I, we gin some
We pray some, and sin some
He don't love me like I love him
The way he should
I've got it bad
And that ain't good
Yes I've got it bad
And that ain't good
The lyrics to Milt Jackson's song "I Got It Bad" are about a woman who is deeply in love with a man who doesn't treat her well. Despite being advised to save her tears and move on, she is unable to do so because of her strong emotions towards him. The repetition of the phrase "I've got it bad and that ain't good" emphasizes the intensity of her feelings.
The second stanza highlights the singer's vulnerability and tenderness, with her heart being "so sentimental" and "not made of wood." The following lines suggest that her relationship with the man is troubled but still has its moments of joy and intimacy. However, the final stanza acknowledges that he doesn't love her the way she loves him, leaving her in a state of emotional turmoil.
Line by Line Meaning
Though folks with good intentions
Even though well-meaning people advise me
Tell me to save my tears
To hold back my emotions and not cry
Well I'm so mad about him
I'm deeply passionate and in love with him
I can't live without him
He is an integral part of my life and I can't imagine being apart from him
Never treats me sweet and gentle
He isn't kind and considerate towards me
The way he should
As he is expected to be
I've got it bad
I suffer from a condition of love that is not reciprocated
And that ain't good
It's a terrible situation to be in
My poor heart is so sentimental
My heart is emotional and easily affected
Not made of wood
I'm not immune to the effects of love
I've got it so bad
My condition is severe and intense
And that ain't good
It's causing me a lot of pain and suffering
But when the fish are jumpin'
During times of happiness and prosperity
And Friday rolls around
On the weekends when we can spend time together
My man an' I, we gin some
We have a drink or two together
We pray some, and sin some
We have religious moments as well as indulgent moments
He don't love me like I love him
He doesn't feel the same intensity of love that I do
The way he should
As he is supposed to
I've got it bad
My love is not reciprocated
And that ain't good
It's causing me sadness and grief
Yes I've got it bad
My condition is severe and intense
And that ain't good
It's causing me a lot of pain and suffering
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, GUY WEBSTER/WEBSTER MUSIC
Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON, PAUL WEBSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind