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

Was A Sunny Day
Paul Desmond Lyrics

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Was a sunny day
Not a cloud was in the sky
Not a negative word was heard
From the people passing by
Was a sunny day
All the birdies in the trees
And the radio's singing song
All the favorite melodies

He was a navy man
Stationed in Newport news
She was a high school queen
With nothing left to lose

Was a sunny day
Not a cloud was in the sky
Not a negative word was heard
From the people passing by
Was a sunny day
All the birdies in the trees
And the radio's singing song
All the favorite melodies

Her name was Lorelei
She was his only girl
She called him Speedoo
But his christian name
Was Mr. Earl

Was a sunny day
Not a cloud was in the sky
Not a negative word was heard
From the people passing by
Was a sunny day
All the birdies in the trees

And the radio's singing song
All the favorite melodies

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Paul Desmond's "Was a Sunny Day" depict a bright and cheerful day where everything seems to be going well. The sunny weather and the upbeat melodies on the radio contribute to the positive atmosphere. The first stanza emphasizes the absence of negativity or conflict, with the people passing by not saying anything negative, and the birdies singing in the trees. The second stanza introduces two characters, a navy man and a high school queen, who seem to have a connection with each other. The third stanza reveals the navy man's name and the pet name given to him by his girl.

Though the lyrics are simple and straightforward, they create a soothing and uplifting mood. The song celebrates the simple pleasures of life, such as good weather and music, and the possibility of finding love unexpectedly. The navy man and the high school queen are from different worlds, yet they have a connection that seems to transcend their differences.

Overall, "Was a Sunny Day" is a feel-good song that celebrates life's simple pleasures and the possibility of finding joy in unexpected places.

Interesting Facts:
- "Was a Sunny Day" was released in 1972 as part of Paul Desmond's album "From the Hot Afternoon."
- Desmond, who was the saxophonist and composer of the song, was best known for his work with the Dave Brubeck Quartet.
- The song has been covered by several artists, including Willie Nelson, who recorded it in 1981.
- The song's melody is based on the Brazilian tune "Teresa da Praia."
- The lyrics mention Newport News, which is a city in Virginia where the US Navy has a major base.
- Desmond's music was known for its cool and understated style, which contrasted with the more bombastic and virtuosic playing of other jazz musicians of his time.
- Desmond was known for his wit and humor, and sometimes incorporated puns and jokes into his compositions.
- The song's lyrics were written by Paul Desmond's friend and fellow jazz musician Jim Hall.
- Hall was primarily a guitarist, but also composed and arranged music.
- Hall was known for his collaborative work and his ability to adapt to different musical styles.

Chords: Unfortunately, we do not have information on the chords for "Was a Sunny Day."

Line by Line Meaning

Was a sunny day
It was a day with clear skies and plenty of sunshine

Not a cloud was in the sky
No clouds could be seen in the sky

Not a negative word was heard
No negative comments were made

From the people passing by
By the people who were walking past

Was a sunny day
It was a day with clear skies and plenty of sunshine

All the birdies in the trees
All the birds sitting on the trees

And the radio's singing song
The radio was playing music loudly

All the favorite melodies
All the popular tunes were being aired

He was a navy man
He served in the navy

Stationed in Newport news
He was posted at Newport News

She was a high school queen
She was the most popular girl in high school

With nothing left to lose
Without anything to protect