Desmond was bor… Read Full Bio ↴Paul Desmond (1924-1977) was a U.S jazz saxophonist.
Desmond was born Paul Emil Breitenfeld in San Francisco, California on 25th November 1924. He came to prominence with the Dave Brubeck Quartet, which lasted from 1951 until 1967. Desmond wrote their biggest hit, "Take Five".
Desmond's alto saxophone tone and technique owed nothing to the great alto player of the time, Charlie Parker; instead his was a clear, light, floating sound and highly melodic playing style. Much of the success of the classic Brubeck quartet was due to the superposition of his fragile, airy sound over Brubeck's sometimes relatively heavy, polytonal piano work.
Desmond died on 30th May 1977.
Paul Desmond is widely recognized for his genius as a melodic improviser and as the benchmark of cool jazz sax players. His warm, elegant tone was one that he admittedly tried to make sound like a dry martini. He and Art Pepper were virtually the only alto players of their generation not directly influenced by Charlie Parker. Desmond was influenced by Lester Young, but took it further, into melodic and harmonic worlds never before traveled by reedmen -- especially in the upper registers. Desmond is best known for his years with the Dave Brubeck Quartet (1959-1967) and his infamous composition "Take Five." He met Brubeck in the late '40s and played with his Octet. The Quartet formed toward the end of 1950 and took final shape with Eugene Wright and Joe Morello a few years later. Jazz at Oberlin and Take Five were considered essential purchases by college students of the era, but Jazz Impressions of Japan was its most innovative recording. Desmond played his loping, slow, ordered, and intricate solos in direct contrast to the pianist's obsession with large chords, creating a myriad of textures for melodic and rhythmic counterpoint unlike any heard in jazz. His witty quotations from musicals, classical pieces, and folk songs were also a watermark of his artistry. When the Quartet split in 1967, Desmond began an intermittent yet satisfying recording career. It included dates with Gerry Mulligan for Verve, various sessions with Jim Hall, and a concert with the the Modern Jazz Quartet. He played his last gigs with the Brubeck Quartet at reunions before dying of lung cancer. Desmond's recordings for RCA have gotten box-set treatment and Mosaic issued one of the complete sessions with Hall. There are also reissues from A&M and CTI, though recordings on Artist House and Finesse remain regrettably out of print. ~ Thom Jurek, Rovi
Emily
Paul Desmond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Has the murmuring sound of may
All silver bells, coral shells, carousels
And the laughter of children at play
Say Emily, Emily, Emily
And we fade to a marvelous view
Two lovers alone and out of sight
As my eyes visualize a family
They see Emily, Emily
(and we fade to a marvelous view)
Two lovers alone and out of sight
Seeing images in the firelight
As my eyes visualize a family
They see Emily, Emily
Too
The song "Emily" by Paul Desmond is a beautiful and romantic tribute to a woman named Emily. The lyrics describe her in poetic and romantic language, comparing her to the soft and gentle sound of May, or the whispering of silver bells and shells. The imagery used in the song is dreamy and whimsical, evoking a sense of playfulness and carefree joy. The chorus repeats Emily's name, creating a sense of longing and admiration for her.
The second verse of the song describes two lovers alone and out of sight, seeing images in the firelight. The lyrics suggest a sense of intimacy and closeness between these two people, as they share a private moment together. As the singer's eyes visualize a family, they see Emily. This suggests that Emily is not just a romantic interest, but also a symbol of home and family. The song has a wistful and bittersweet quality to it, as if the singer is longing for a life with Emily that he cannot have.
Overall, "Emily" is a beautiful and romantic song that captures the feelings of love, longing, and nostalgia. The lyrics are full of vivid imagery and poetic language, creating a sense of dreamy wonder and romantic idealism.
Line by Line Meaning
Emily, Emily, Emily
The singer is addressing someone named Emily multiple times.
Has the murmuring sound of may
Emily's name sounds like the gentle whispering of the month of May.
All silver bells, coral shells, carousels
Emily's name brings to mind beautiful and delightful things like gleaming bells, exotic shells, and spinning merry-go-rounds.
And the laughter of children at play
Emily's name is also associated with the joyful and carefree sounds of kids enjoying themselves.
Say Emily, Emily, Emily
The artist is urging someone to repeat Emily's name again, as if it brings them happiness or comfort.
And we fade to a marvelous view
Uttering Emily's name creates a sense of transition into a wonderful and dreamy world.
Two lovers alone and out of sight
The singer (or the person they're addressing) is now imagining a couple who are totally absorbed in each other's company and oblivious to the outside world.
Seeing images in the firelight
The lovers are watching the dancing shadows and flickering lights cast by a fire, which stirs up their imagination and emotions.
As my eyes visualize a family
The artist (or the person they're addressing) is now picturing a happy family that might be related to Emily in some way.
They see Emily, Emily
The lovers may also be contemplating Emily's role in their imaginary family scene.
Too
This is just an added word that emphasizes the previous line, as if to say 'They see Emily as well, just like me.'
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ricky Ross, Scott Fraser, Pete Webb
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind