During five decades in the entertainment industry, Jones has earned more than 25 Grammy Award nominations, more than 7 Grammy Awards, and a Grammy Legend Award in 1991. He is best known as the producer of two of the top-selling records of all time: the album Thriller, by pop icon Michael Jackson, which sold 104 million copies worldwide[2], and the charity song “We Are the World”. Also known as work with Frank Sinatra. He recorded film music to Austin Powers trilogy.
Take Five
Quincy Jones and His Orchestra Lyrics
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As I gaze out of my window
At the moon in it's flight
My thoughts all stray, stray to you
In the still of the night
While the world lies in slumber
Oh the times without number
Do you love me
Just like I love you
Are you my life to be
That dream come true
Or will this dream of mine
Will it fade way out of sight
Just like that moon growing dim
Way out on the rim of the hill
In the still of the night
The lyrics of Quincy Jones and His Orchestra's song "Take Five" speak to the experience of being alone with one's thoughts in the middle of the night. The opening lines set the scene, describing the singer's window and the moon in flight. The imagery of the moon and the night sky suggest a certain otherworldliness and invites thoughts to wander. The singer acknowledges that their thoughts always seem to return to someone they love, and the ensuing lyrics ask whether their love is reciprocated. The repetition of "in the still of the night" creates a sense of intimacy and vulnerability, as if the singer is revealing something deeply personal.
The final verse adds a note of uncertainty to the song. The singer wonders whether their dream of love will fade away, and compares it to the moon growing dim on the rim of the hill. This image suggests that the love the singer longs for may be fleeting and ultimately unattainable. The repeated use of the moon as a symbol throughout the song invites interpretation - it could be seen as a symbol of change, illusion, or a dream that is always out of reach. The lyrics of "Take Five" encourage listeners to contemplate love, longing, and the mysteries of the night.
Line by Line Meaning
In the still of the night
During the peaceful, quiet hours of the night
As I gaze out of my window
Looking out of my window and thinking
At the moon in its flight
Watching the moon as it moves across the sky
My thoughts all stray, stray to you
My mind wanders to thoughts of you
While the world lies in slumber
While the rest of the world is fast asleep
Oh the times without number
So many times before
When I say to you
When I ask you
Do you love me
Do you have feelings of love for me
Just like I love you
As strongly as I feel love for you
Are you my life to be
Are you the person I will spend my life with
That dream come true
The dream of being with you
Or will this dream of mine
Or is it possible that this dream of mine
Will it fade way out of sight
Will it slowly disappear and no longer be possible
Just like that moon growing dim
Similar to the moon that is fading
Way out on the rim of the hill
At the edge of the hill
In the still of the night
During the peaceful, quiet hours of the night
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLE PORTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nil pferd
This was actually recorded in 1963 for the Mercury album "Quincy Jones plays Hip Hits".
1983 release must be a reissue. Saxes are played by Zoot Sims and Phil Woods- the latter has just passed away.
Vitesse
Haha, I've heard that for years and finally someone else has as well! I just did a YouTube search for this track, and was also pleasantly surprised that this was from 1983... I knew it was newer than Brubeck but had no idea it was that modern.
Florentino Ruelas
Excelente
Miss Angie
If Take Five was a James Bond soundtrack, this is what it would sound like.
jackthehatuk
I just noticed that the sax at 1.22 (which i absolutely love, specially the way it creeps in) is started too early. At 1.19 you hear it then he breaks and waits for the right time to start.......or am i just imagining it? :-)
jackthehatuk
On listening AGAIN for the god knows how many timeth i reckon he blew into it on the 'get ready' and didn't expect to make a listener audible sound but it was passable so they let it go which is pretty much what you said. My step dad had a Benny Goodman pressing of a track with a mistake on it and he revelled in the fact that he had one of those pressings. Used to love pointing it out to me. Makes it more real for me. You know it's humans playing and not some machine doing what it's told to do.
cmalchik
@jackthehatuk Sounds like he's just working up to the solo. I don't think it was a mistake.
jackthehatuk
Listening again at this moment and you are right.
jackthehatuk
@cmalchik Was a bit surprised to think they would have let it go, so i will take it from you :-) I just thought he was getting a bit excited and shot too early.....