Pieces of a Dream first started playing throughout the Tri-State area, and were soon featured on Temple University’s pioneering jazz radio station, WRTI-FM. Long before the “Young Lions” era of Wynton Marsalis, Lloyd and Harmon were swinging so hard as teenagers that the great Count Basie once proclaimed them “a tough act to follow.” But it was another jazz legend, the late Grover Washington Jr., the sax man who made Philadelphia his home, who helped Pieces of a Dream become the internationally known stars they are today.
After quickly becoming popular around Philadelphia, the trio landed a spot as the house band for a local television show called City Lights. Their experience widened as they played backup on the broadcasts to a wide variety of artists, and that’s where Washington first heard them. One day while the teenagers were playing at the Bijou (where Grover had recorded his Live at the Bijou album), he sat in with them to play “Mr. Magic.” Soon Washington announced that he was starting a production company and that Pieces of a Dream would be his first act. Lloyd was only a senior in high school when his first record came out.
From 1981 to 1984, Pieces of a Dream built their reputation with three albums on Elektra that would come to define the musical essence of the smooth jazz radio explosion: Pieces of a Dream, We Are One and Imagine This. Those seminal records yielded some of their earliest hits, including “Warm Weather,” “Mount Airy Groove” and “Fo Fi Fo.” Soon after completing Joyride, their last effort for Elektra, Pieces of a Dream moved to EMI/Blue Note and went on to record seven more albums. During this period, the group amicably parted ways with long time friend Cedric Napoleon.
In 2001, Pieces of a Dream signed with Heads Up International and celebrated their 25th anniversary with what was undoubtedly their best album in years, Acquainted with the Night. The group’s silver anniversary release featured guitarist Ronny Jordan, vocalist Maysa Leak, and saxophonists Gerald Albright and Kenny Blake. Highlights included compositions from Albright and Michael Bearden, along with remakes of “Mahogany” and “Upside Down.” Acquainted with the Night generated two top-five singles on R&R's NAC chart. The follow up album Love's Silhouette also scored top radio chart positioning and Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart top 10 status. Their April 2004 release, No Assembly Required, is sure to be another hit album in their long and illustrious career.
One of their former singers Norwood Young is now a cast member on the E! Cable channel's TV show High Maintenance 90210.
Addition - May 9,2009
Formed: 1975 in Philadelphia, PA
Styles: Crossover Jazz, Urban, Smooth Jazz
Group Members: Curtis Harmon, Ron Kerber, James K. Lloyd, Cedric A. Napoleon
Biography
Comprised of bassist Cedric Napoleon, drummer Curtis Harmon, and keyboardist James Lloyd, Pieces of a Dream were founded in 1975 in Philadelphia when the principal members were all teenagers. Originally somewhat jazz-oriented, Pieces of a Dream have mostly emphasized R&B, although they usually include a few jazz numbers in their performances. Grover Washington, Jr. produced their first three albums (all for Elektra during 1981-1983); they have since recorded for Manhattan and Blue Note. Saxophonist Ron Kerber became a member in the 1990s, preceding the four varied releases that appeared throughout the decade. A collection appeared at the turn of the century, but the band proved to still be going strong with 2001's Acquainted with the Night and 2002's Love's Silhouette. No Assembly Required was released in 2004 on Cleveland's Heads Up label, followed by 2006's Pillow Talk, also on Heads Up. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Goodbye Manhattan
Pieces Of A Dream Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Honky-tonk cars
Goodbye Manhattan
Can't buy that attitude
I can feel the heat
On the soles of my feet
In the shadows of the sidewalk
Driving in between
Cop cars in a crosstalk
Eastside Westside
Take me downtown
I don't want to be alone tonight
And the city never sleeps
She's got a spell on me
So bad I don't want to leave
Goodbye Manhattan
Can't buy that attitude
The moon and the stars
Kiss those honky-tonk cars
That's my Manhattan
There's a room with a view
Down the crowded avenue
But they're begging my attention
When a man in the street
Shot down by a freak
Didn't even get a mention
Eastside Westside
Uptown downtown
Took the money for a taxi ride
And the city never weeps
She can't afford the tears
Too bad I gotta leave
Goodbye Manhattan (goodbye)
Can't buy that attitude
The moon and the stars
Kiss those honky-tonk cars
That's my Manhattan
One more look at you mm mm
Under the light of the moon and the stars
And those honky-tonk cars
Goodbye (goodbye)
Can't buy that attitude
The moon and the stars
Kiss those honky-tonk cars
That's my Manhattan
Goodbye Manhattan
Goodbye Manhattan
Goodbye Manhattan
Goodbye Manhattan oh oh oh
I hate to go
I can feel the heat
From the soles of my feet
In the shadows of my sidewalk
In a cool limousine
Driving in between
Cop cars in a crosstalk
Eastside Westside
Take me downtown
Oh no I don't want to be alone tonight
And the city the city never sleeps
She's got a spell on me
So bad I don't want to leave
Goodbye Manhattan
Goodbye Manhattan
Goodbye Manhattan
The lyrics “Moon and the stars, Honky-tonk cars, Goodbye Manhattan, Can’t buy that attitude” seem to capture the essence of the energy of Manhattan. The moon and stars are a reference to the nocturnal city, while the honky-tonk cars represent the fast pace and liveliness of the city. “Goodbye Manhattan” seems to suggest a bittersweet farewell to the city as the persona cannot buy into the attitude of the city, yet still drawn to the place.
The lyrics throughout the song describe the energy and feel of the city. The persona is torn between the desire to stay and the need to leave. In the lines “And the city never sleeps, She’s got a spell on me So bad I don’t want to leave,” it appears the persona is captivated by the allure of the city that never sleeps. They feel the heat of the sidewalks, take a taxi ride and go from east to west side while experiencing the beautiful view from crowded avenues.
Overall, the song portrays the city as both desirable and trapping, reflecting various emotions felt by individuals living or visiting New York City. The song suggests that Manhattan is a difficult place to leave regardless of its shortcomings, presenting a humming love-hate relationship between the persona and the city.
Line by Line Meaning
Moon and the stars
The bright objects in the sky that provide comfort and light in the night.
Honky-tonk cars
The cars that represent the joy and freedom of traveling on the road.
Goodbye Manhattan
An express farewell to the city of Manhattan.
Can't buy that attitude
The attitude that this city represents cannot be bought and must be earned.
I can feel the heat
The warmth and energy of the city is palpable and exuded through the pavement.
On the soles of my feet
The feeling of the heat is most intense on the bottom of the feet.
In the shadows of the sidewalk
The coolness and shade on the sidewalk provide a respite from the heat.
In a cool limousine
Traveling in a luxurious car to experience the fast-paced lifestyle of Manhattan.
Driving in between
Driving through the city in the midst of the various noises and sounds is invigorating.
Cop cars in a crosstalk
The sirens of police cars intertwining with the commotion of the city.
Eastside Westside
All encompassing directions of the city, from uptown to downtown.
Take me downtown
A plea to experience the hustle and bustle of the city's commercial center.
I don't want to be alone tonight
Desiring companionship in the midst of the city's endless activity.
And the city never sleeps
The happenings of the city keep going around the clock, without rest.
She's got a spell on me
The city has a magical influence on those who inhabit it or are drawn to it.
So bad I don't want to leave
It's tough to part ways with the mystique and allure of the city.
Kiss those honky-tonk cars
The cars honking their horns provide the rhythm and music of the city streets.
There's a room with a view
A place with a scenic overview of the city's buildings and skyline.
Down the crowded avenue
Amidst the activity and noise of the crowded thoroughfare.
But they're begging my attention
The distractions and happenings of the city demand my focus and attention.
When a man in the street
An occurrence on the street catching my attention.
Shot down by a freak
A surreal and sad moment of violence that happens unexpectedly in the city.
Didn't even get a mention
A disparaging fact that highlights how much violence has become normalized in the city.
Uptown downtown
Movement through different areas of the city that are both high-class and low-class.
Took the money for a taxi ride
Using the last of my funds to secure transportation.
And the city never weeps
Despite the tragedies and losses that occur, the city never seems to lament them.
She can't afford the tears
The city is too hard and unforgiving to allow tears or mourning.
Goodbye (goodbye)
An emotional farewell, expressed with emphasis.
One more look at you mm mm
One last memory of the city and its beauty.
Under the light of the moon and the stars
The city's beauty being highlighted by the natural nightlight of the moon and stars.
Goodbye Manhattan oh oh oh
A continual and sad farewell to the city, expressed in a heartfelt way.
I hate to go
A reluctance to leave the city and its unique atmosphere.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANTHONY EDWIN CLARK, MAGGIE RYDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Joe Calhoun
Perfection.....Love Lovely Eva’s voice. Singing her heart out like always.
Azure Horizon
If there was a song to capture my emotions about having lived in NYC, this one is it.
We used to live and work in Manhattan , East and Upper West sides, during the Mayor Giuliani years. I met my wife when she living on the East side back then. Those were some of the best times. We worked hard during the day and had good times with friends at night all over Manhattan. The city was safe, clean and personal freedom ruled in our nation. Regrettably today, that NYC we knew back then no longer exists. Good-bye Manhattan.
Whammytimemarie
Beautiful song!!!❤
The South East Journal
a master piece
james clark
Smoothness at its best!
ohh
Wonderful song
Derek 8128
this still a very good tune n 2021 🎵
Colleen Keithley
Very Nice music from Pieces Of A Dream ❤.🎶.❤.🎶.❤.🎶.❤.
ronald alexander
Smooth as pudding
ronald alexander
The City Never Sleeps