Cuba-born and New York-based saxophonist and clarinet player, Paquito D'Riv… Read Full Bio ↴Cuba-born and New York-based saxophonist and clarinet player, Paquito D'Rivera has balanced a career in Latin jazz with commissions as a classical composer and appearances with symphony orchestras. Classical New Jersey wrote, "whether playing Bach or post-bop, D'Rivera's mastery of the instruments and their expressive capabilities is unquestionable". D'Rivera inherited his understanding of music from his father, Tito, a classical saxophonist and conductor. At the age of five, D'Rivera began being tutored in musical theory by his father. Within a year, he was playing well enough to be paid as a musician. By the age of seven, he became the youngest musician to endorse a musical instrument (Selmer saxophones). Three years later, he performed with the National Theater Orchestra of Havana. Although he initially played soprano saxophone, D'Rivera switched to the alto after teaching himself to play via the book, Jimmy Dorsey Saxophone Method: A School of Rhythmic Saxophone Playing. Strengthening his knowledge of music and playing techniques, D'Rivera began studying at the Havana Conservatory of Music in 1960. In 1965, D'Rivera became a featured soloist with the Cuban National Symphony Orchestra.

Body & Soul
Paquito D'Rivera Lyrics

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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 Paquito D'Rivera's "Body & Soul" convey a profound sense of heartbreak and longing. The singer expresses feelings of intense sadness and loneliness, declaring their unwavering love and devotion to a particular person who seems unaware of their affections. The words speak to the universal human experience of unrequited love and the pain that can accompany it.

The singer spends their days contemplating why their loved one is ignoring them and wonders if they are simply pretending that romance between them is not possible. Despite the heartache, the singer clings to the hope of just one more chance to prove their love. The final lines express a willingness to surrender themselves completely to this person, body and soul.

The lyrics are enhanced by the melody and D'Rivera's masterful saxophone playing, which add depth and feeling to the words. The song captures the essence of classic jazz and stands as a testament to the power of music to convey emotion and transcend time.

Line by Line Meaning

My heart is sad and lonely
I am feeling deep sadness and loneliness in my heart

For you I sigh, for you dear only
My longing and yearning are directed towards you alone

Why haven't you seen it
I am curious why you have not noticed my affection for you

I'm all for you body and soul
I am completely devoted to you with my entire being

I spend my days in longing
My days are filled with yearning and desire

And wondering why it's me you're wronging
I am confused and hurt why you are treating me poorly

I tell you I mean it
I am emphasizing the sincerity of my feelings towards you

I'm all for you body and soul
I am still devoted to you completely, body and soul

I can't believe it
It is hard for me to accept the reality of the situation

It's hard to conceive it
I find it difficult to envision a future where we are not together

That you'd turn away romance
I am shocked that you would reject romantic advances

Are you pretending
I am questioning if your actions towards me are not genuine

It looks like the ending
I fear that this may be the end of our relationship

Unless I could have just one more chance to prove, dear
I am willing to do anything to show you how much I love you and salvage our relationship

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
You have my love and devotion readily available to 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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