Hey
Nina Simone Lyrics


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Buddy Bolden tune up
Blowing horn was his game
Born with a silver trumpet in his mouth
He played the horn before he talked
Born on the after beat
He patted his foot before walked

When Buddy Bolden tuned up you could hear him clean
Clean across the river clean across the river
He woke up the working people and kept the easy living
Call on Buddy Bolden call him Buddy Bolden

Watch it he's calling his flock now
He's calling his flock now here they come
Call him Buddy Bolden he's calling his flock now




Here they come here they come
Come on Buddy Bolden here they come

Overall Meaning

Nina Simone's song "Hey" is a tribute to the legendary jazz musician Buddy Bolden. The first stanza describes Bolden's talent for the trumpet and how it was a part of him since birth, noting that he played the horn before he even talked. The next stanza describes how Bolden's music was able to reach across the river and wake up the working people while sustaining the easy living in the city. The chorus of the song is a call for Bolden to gather his followers, who were also known as a "flock," and start playing his horn. The final lines of the song reiterate this call, inviting Buddy Bolden to come out and bring his followers with him.


The lyrics of "Hey" celebrate Buddy Bolden's ability to bring people together through music, as well as highlighting the importance of his contribution to jazz music. Bolden was known as one of the pioneers of jazz, and a master of improvisation. He played the cornet, which was similar to the trumpet, but had a slightly different sound. He was a big influence on other jazz musicians like Louis Armstrong, but unfortunately, there are no known recordings of his music. Bolden's life was also plagued with tragedy, including mental illness and alcoholism, which led to his eventual institutionalization.


Line by Line Meaning

Buddy Bolden tune up
Buddy Bolden was preparing to play his trumpet


Blowing horn was his game
Playing the trumpet was Bolden's passion and skill


Born with a silver trumpet in his mouth
Bolden had a natural talent for playing the trumpet


He played the horn before he talked
Bolden started playing the trumpet at a young age, before he even spoke


Born on the after beat
Bolden had a unique sense of rhythm and timing that set him apart


He patted his foot before he walked
Bolden was so in tune with music that he would naturally tap his foot to the beat


When Buddy Bolden tuned up you could hear him clean
Bolden's trumpet playing was so powerful and distinct that it could be heard from far away


Clean across the river clean across the river
Bolden's music traveled far distances and could be heard everywhere


He woke up the working people and kept the easy living
Bolden's music brought energy and life to people's everyday routines and entertainment


Call on Buddy Bolden call him Buddy Bolden
People would call on Bolden to play his trumpet and bring joy to their lives


Watch it he's calling his flock now
Bolden is getting ready to play his music and gather his audience


He's calling his flock now here they come
People are coming to listen to Bolden's music


Come on Buddy Bolden here they come
Bolden's audience is arriving, anticipating his trumpet playing




Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing
Written by: BILLY STRAYHORN, DUKE ELLINGTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

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@maishatopez6203

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@jayblummer146

0:08

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