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.
You Leave Me Breathless
Milt Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Go on go on
Leave me breathless
Come on [echo...]
Hey... yeah...
The time with you is standing still
I'm waiting for you only
The slightest touch and I feel weak
I cannot lie, from you I cannot hide
And I'm losing the will to try
Can't hide it (can't hide it), can't fight it (can't fight it)
So go on, go on, come on, leave me breathless
Tempt me, tease me, until I can't deny
This loving feeling (loving feeling)
Make me long for your kiss
Go on (go on), go on (go on)
Yeah...
Come on
Yeah...
And if there's no tomorrow
And all we have is here and now
I'm happy just to have you
You're all the love I need somehow
It's like a dream
Although I'm not asleep
And I never want to wake up
Don't lose it (don't lose it), don't leave it (don't leave it)
So go on, go on, come on, leave me breathless
Tempt me, tease me, until I can't deny
This loving feeling (loving feeling)
Make me long for your kiss
Go on (go on), go on (go on)
Yeah...
Come on [echo...]
Yeah-ie, yeah, yeah-ie, yeah...
And I can't lie
From you I cannot hide
And I've lost my will to try
Can't hide it (can't hide it), can't fight it, (can't fight it)
So go on, (go on) go on, (go on), come on, leave me breathless
Tempt me, tease me, until I can't deny
This loving feeling (loving feeling) Make me long for your kiss
Go on, (go on) go on, (go on) come on, leave... me breathless
Go on, (go on) go on, (go on) come on, leave... me breathless
Go on, (go on) go on, (go on) come on, leave... me breathless
Go on... go on!
The song "You Leave Me Breathless" by Milt Jackson is a love ballad that expresses the overwhelming feeling of being in love. The lyrics describe the singer's inability to resist their lover's charms and the irresistible desire to be with them. The singer is completely captivated by their lover, unable to hide their affection and losing the will to try. The song's chorus is a plea to the lover to continue to tempt and tease them, leaving them breathless and longing for their kiss.
The tone of the song is romantic and hopeful, with a sense of urgency and longing. The music mirrors this sentiment, with gentle and soft instrumentals and Jackson's smooth, soulful voice. The song has been covered by other artists, such as Frank Sinatra and Diana Krall, and continues to be a popular tune for jazz and blues musicians.
Line by Line Meaning
Go on go on
Continue with your actions or words
Leave me breathless
Have such an effect on me that I can hardly breathe
Come on [echo...]
Encourage me to keep going or to do something
The daylight's fading slowly
The sun is setting and it's getting dark
The time with you is standing still
Time seems to be moving very slowly because I am so happy with you
I'm waiting for you only
I am eagerly anticipating your arrival
The slightest touch and I feel weak
Your touch has a powerful effect on me
I cannot lie, from you I cannot hide
I am completely honest with you and cannot keep anything from you
And I'm losing the will to try
I am starting to give up on something or someone because it's too difficult
Can't hide it (can't hide it), can't fight it (can't fight it)
I am unable to conceal or resist my feelings
So go on, go on, come on, leave me breathless
Keep doing what you're doing because it's making me feel amazing
Tempt me, tease me, until I can't deny
Entice and play with me until I can no longer resist
This loving feeling (loving feeling)
The intense emotion I am experiencing
Make me long for your kiss
I desire your affectionate touch or embrace
And if there's no tomorrow
In the event that there is no future
And all we have is here and now
The present moment is all we have
I'm happy just to have you
I am content with simply being in your presence
You're all the love I need somehow
You fulfill all of my romantic needs
It's like a dream
This moment feels unreal or surreal
Although I'm not asleep
Despite not being in a state of unconsciousness
And I never want to wake up
I never want this moment to end
Don't lose it (don't lose it), don't leave it (don't leave it)
Hold onto this moment and don't let it slip away
Yeah-ie, yeah, yeah-ie, yeah...
Vocalizations of pleasure or excitement
And I can't lie
I cannot be dishonest with you
And I've lost my will to try
I no longer have the motivation to keep going
So go on, (go on) go on, (go on), come on, leave me breathless
Continue what you're doing because it's making me feel amazing
Go on, (go on) go on, (go on) come on, leave... me breathless
Continue to entice or play with me until I can no longer resist
Go on... go on!
Keep going or continue doing something
Writer(s): Freed Ralph, Hollander Frederick
Contributed by Evan J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.