In the 1950s he worked with his brother's original group and with a.o. Sonny Rollins, Jimmy Heath, Wynton Kelly, Lionel Hampton, and J. J. Johnson, then in 1959 he joined his brother's new quintet and stayed with it until Cannonball's death in 1975. He composed a.o. "Work Song," "Jive Samba," and "The Old Country .
After his brother's death he led his own groups and recorded extensively. During this period he worked with, among others, Ron Carter, Sonny Fortune, Johnny Griffin, Antonio Hart, and Vincent Herring.
On his passing in 2000 at his home in Lakeland, Florida, Nat Adderley was interred near his brother in the Southside Cemetery in Tallahassee, Florida.
Among his notable recordings are:
Work Song (1960)
Autobiography (1964)
Mercy! Mercy! Mercy! (with the Cannonball Adderley Quintet) (1966)
Country Preacher (Live with the Cannonball Adderley Quintet) (1969)
Soul Zodiac (1972)
A Little New York Midtown Music (1978)
Mercy, Mercy, Mercy! '95 (1995)
Taurus
Nat Adderley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The Bull.
Earth sign.
Ruled by the planet Venus.
They have love in their heart
So much love: it's a shame.
They'll give you the shirt of their back.
they must have that money.
Ideas - they come by very easily
But they sleep on a idea before they make a move
But when they make their move
It's always a very successful move.
They have many goals in life.
They love domestic life
Family
Comfort
Property
Outdoor life
Beauty
Beauty
This is also a sign that has a problem
when it comes to their love:
They have a tendency to spread it all over.
Because of themselves being the bull
ruling the pasture
which they master
it takes them a long time to graze
because there is so much acres to cover.
Their mates being Capricorn and Virgo.
Libra, very attracted to libra
Pisces
Li'l old fish.
Taurus has to have someone very strong,
very settled,
witty,
most of all: with ambition.
Taurus loves money with a passion.
Remember the bull
is consistent and steady.
Patient.
Lovable.
But never wave a red flag at a bull:
He will charge.
The bull
Loves love
He, too, cannot function.
That's the reason why he chases the heifers
across the pasture that he's sole master.
But this is hangup
He's patient
He'll love you
But if you hurt him
he'll hurt you.
You never forget
Taurus the Bull.
A long lasting friendship and companionship
you'll have once
you have gained the confidence of
Taurus the Bull.
The lyrics to Nat Adderley's song Taurus are an astrological exploration of the characteristics and tendencies associated with the zodiac sign of Taurus. The song describes Taurus as an earth sign, ruled by the planet Venus, with a deep capacity for love and generosity. However, Taurus is also depicted as being motivated by a strong desire for material wealth and success, and can be slow to act on their many ideas and goals.
The song also notes the importance of family, comfort, and beauty to Taurus, while warning that they have a tendency to spread their love too thin. While typically patient and steady, Taurus can become angry and aggressive if provoked, much like a bull in a pasture. Overall, the song paints a portrait of Taurus as a complex creature with both endearing and challenging qualities.
Line by Line Meaning
This is Taurus:
Nat Adderley is introducing the audience to the zodiac sign of Taurus.
The Bull.
Taurus is represented by a bull, which symbolizes strength and power.
Earth sign.
Taurus is one of the three earth signs in astrology.
Ruled by the planet Venus.
Taurus is ruled by the planet Venus, which is associated with love, beauty, and money.
They have love in their heart
People born under Taurus tend to be loving and affectionate.
So much love: it's a shame.
Taurus individuals have an abundance of love to give, but sometimes feel like it goes unappreciated.
They'll give you the shirt of their back.
Taurus people are generous and willing to help others, often to a fault.
It's the money sign of the solar system:
Taurus is often associated with money and financial stability.
they must have that money.
Taurus individuals place a high value on financial security and stability.
Ideas - they come by very easily
Taurus people are creative and often have many ideas.
But they sleep on a idea before they make a move
However, they tend to be cautious and thoughtful when it comes to taking action on their ideas.
But when they make their move
When Taurus individuals do take action, they are often successful.
It's always a very successful move.
Their careful planning and attention to detail often leads to success.
They have many goals in life.
Taurus people tend to be goal-oriented and driven.
They love domestic life
Taurus individuals appreciate the comforts of home and domestic life.
Family
Family is important to Taurus individuals.
Comfort
Taurus individuals value comfort and security.
Property
Taurus individuals often place a high value on owning property and building wealth.
Outdoor life
Taurus individuals love spending time outdoors and connecting with nature.
Beauty
Taurus individuals appreciate beauty in all forms, especially in art and nature.
Beauty
Taurus individuals appreciate beauty in all forms, especially in art and nature.
This is also a sign that has a problem
However, Taurus individuals also have their flaws.
when it comes to their love:
Taurus individuals can struggle with controlling their affections.
They have a tendency to spread it all over.
They may love too many people at once, leading to difficulties in their relationships.
Because of themselves being the bull
Like a bull, Taurus individuals are powerful and in control of their lives.
ruling the pasture
Taurus individuals have a strong sense of ownership and control over their environment.
which they master
They are confident and capable of handling any challenge that comes their way.
it takes them a long time to graze
However, their desire for perfection and control can sometimes slow them down.
because there is so much acres to cover.
Their ambitious goals can lead to feelings of overwhelm and stress.
Their mates being Capricorn and Virgo.
Taurus individuals are compatible with Capricorns and Virgos in romantic relationships.
Libra, very attracted to libra
Taurus individuals may also be attracted to Libras.
Pisces
They may also have a connection to Pisces.
Li'l old fish.
This may manifest in friendships or other relationships.
Taurus has to have someone very strong,
In their romantic relationships, Taurus individuals are attracted to strength and ambition.
very settled,
They want a partner who is stable and secure in their life.
witty,
They enjoy partners who are intelligent and quick-witted.
most of all: with ambition.
However, ambition is perhaps the most important trait they seek in a partner.
Taurus loves money with a passion.
Taurus individuals are often very motivated by money and financial security.
Remember the bull
Nat Adderley is reminding the audience about the symbolism of the bull.
is consistent and steady.
Like a bull, Taurus individuals are reliable and consistent.
Patient.
However, they can also be patient to a fault.
Lovable.
Overall, Taurus individuals are loving and compassionate.
But never wave a red flag at a bull:
However, they can also be easily provoked.
He will charge.
Their stubbornness and aggressiveness can lead to conflict.
The bull
Nat Adderley is invoking the bull symbolism again.
Loves love
Despite their faults, Taurus individuals are very loving and affectionate.
He, too, cannot function.
However, they also struggle with controlling their emotions and affections.
That's the reason why he chases the heifers
Like a bull chasing after cows, Taurus individuals may chase multiple romantic partners.
across the pasture that he's sole master.
However, their desire for control and power can ultimately lead to feeling lonely and unfulfilled.
But this is hangup
This is a flaw or issue with Taurus individuals.
He's patient
Taurus individuals can be patient to a fault.
He'll love you
When they do love someone, they are devoted and caring.
But if you hurt him
However, they can also be easily hurt and become defensive.
he'll hurt you.
If someone hurts them, they may retaliate harshly.
You never forget
Overall, Taurus individuals make a lasting impact.
Taurus the Bull.
Nat Adderley again sings the praises of the bull symbol.
A long lasting friendship and companionship
If you earn the trust of a Taurus individual, you can expect a loyal companion for life.
you'll have once
Their strength and reliability make them valuable friends and partners.
you have gained the confidence of
However, earning their trust can take time and patience.
Taurus the Bull.
The song ends with a reprise of the central theme of Taurus being associated with the powerful and steadfast bull.
Contributed by Leo O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.