Paul Desmond (1924-1977) was a U.S jazz saxophonist.

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

So Long Frank Lloyd Wright
Paul Desmond Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

So long, Frank Lloyd Wright.
I can't believe your song is gone so soon.
I barely learned the tune
So soon
So soon.

I'll remember Frank Lloyd Wright.
All of the nights we'd harmonize till dawn.

I never laughed so long
So long
So long.

Architects may come and
Architects may go and
Never change your point of view.
When I run dry
I stop awhile and think of you

Architects may come and
Architects may go and
Never change your point of view.

So long, Frank Lloyd Wright
All of the nights we'd harmonize till dawn.
I never laughed so long
So long
So long.

So long
So long.

So long
So long.

So long
So long.

Overall Meaning

"So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright" is a song written by Paul Simon, performed by Simon & Garfunkel, and released in 1970 on their album "Bridge Over Troubled Water." The song is a tribute to the renowned American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who had passed away in 1959. The lyrics express a sense of disbelief and mourning over Wright's early departure, as well as reminiscing about the times they spent together.

In the opening verse, the singer expresses their disbelief that Wright's "song" or life has ended so soon, indicating that they feel they have just started to understand him. The phrase "I barely learned the tune" suggests that there was so much more to learn and appreciate about Wright and his genius.

The second verse reflects on the nights spent with Wright, where they would "harmonize till dawn." This could be a metaphor for the deep intellectual conversations and discussions they had about architecture and creativity. The line "I never laughed so long" indicates that these encounters were filled with joy and laughter, suggesting a strong friendship and camaraderie between the singer and Wright.

The chorus emphasizes the idea that although architects may come and go, Wright's unique perspective and vision will never change. The line "When I run dry, I stop awhile and think of you" suggests that the singer finds inspiration and solace in remembering Wright's teachings and ideas when they are feeling uninspired or stuck.

Overall, "So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright" is a heartfelt tribute to the architect, expressing both sorrow and gratitude for the beautiful moments shared in his presence.

Line by Line Meaning

So long, Frank Lloyd Wright.
Goodbye, Frank Lloyd Wright.

I can't believe your song is gone so soon.
I'm shocked that your influence has disappeared quickly.

I barely learned the tune
I hardly grasped your essence.

So soon
It happened unexpectedly early.

So soon.
So unexpectedly soon.

I'll remember Frank Lloyd Wright.
I will always keep you in my memory, Frank Lloyd Wright.

All of the nights we'd harmonize till dawn.
The nights when we would collaborate and create together until morning.

I never laughed so long
I have never experienced such prolonged joy and laughter.

So long
Farewell

So long
Goodbye

Architects may come and
Various architects may arise and