Kirk was born Ronald Kirk on 7th August 1935, in Columbus, Ohio, but felt compelled by a dream to transpose two letters in his first name to make Roland. After another dream in about 1970 he added Rahsaan to his name.
His playing was generally rooted in soul jazz or hard bop, but Kirk's encyclopedic knowledge of jazz history allowed him to draw convincingly on any element of the music's history, from ragtime to swing and free jazz. Kirk also regularly explored classical and pop music.
Kirk played and collected a vast number of musical instruments, mainly various saxophones, clarinets, and flutes. His main instruments were tenor saxophone, and two obscure saxophones: the manzello (similar to a soprano sax) and the stritch (a straight alto sax lacking the instrument's characteristic upturned bell). Kirk modified these instruments himself to accommodate his simultaneous playing technique. He typically appeared on stage with all three horns hanging around his neck, as well as a variety of other instruments, including flutes and whistles. Kirk also played harmonica, cor anglais, recorders, and was a competent trumpeter. He often used unusual instruments or combinations of instrument parts, using a saxophone mouthpiece on a trumpet or playing nose flute. He additionally used many extramusical sounds in his music, such as alarm clocks, whistles, sirens, and even primitive electronic sounds (before such things became commonplace).
In addition to the saxophones, Kirk was also an influential flautist, employing several novel techniques that he developed himself. One technique was to sing or hum into the flute at the same time as playing. (This technique was adopted later by many other players, including Jeremy Steig and Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull.) Another was to play the standard transverse flute at the same time as a nose flute.
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Rahsaan Roland Kirk Lyrics
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Heard they crowded the floor
Couldn't bear it without you
Don't get around much anymore
Though I'd visit the club
Got as far as the door
They'd have asked me about you
Darling, I guess my mind's more at ease
But nevertheless why stir up memories?
Been invited on dates
Might have gone but what for?
Awf'lly diff'rent without you
Don't get around much anymore
The lyrics of "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" express a sense of loneliness, longing, and regret. The singer is reminiscing about going to social events and clubs but finding it hard to enjoy them since the person they truly want to be with is not there. They missed a dance that apparently had a great turnout where other people were dancing and having fun. The singer admits that they couldn't bear to be there without the person they were missing. The thought of being at the club and having people ask about the missing person would have been too much to bear.
The second verse explains that while the singer attempted to go to the club, they couldn't even make it past the door. The thought of having to answer questions about the person they missed was too painful to endure. The chorus repeats that the singer doesn't get around much anymore and that it's "Awf'lly diff'rent without you." This line emphasizes how much the missing person meant to the singer and how much their absence has changed their life.
Overall, the lyrics of "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" are a poignant expression of the pain of separation and the longing for connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Missed the Saturday dance
I missed the Saturday dance and didn't go because you weren't there with me
Heard they crowded the floor
I heard the dance floor was crowded and busy without you there with me
Couldn't bear it without you
I couldn't bear to go to the dance without you and be reminded of your absence
Don't get around much anymore
I don't go out much anymore because it's not the same without you by my side
Though I'd visit the club
I thought about going to the club, but changed my mind
Got as far as the door
I only made it to the club's door before turning back
They'd have asked me about you
I know people at the club would ask me about you, and I'm not ready to answer those questions yet
Darling, I guess my mind's more at ease
I must admit that I feel more comfortable and relaxed without you on my mind constantly
But nevertheless why stir up memories?
Even though I feel more at ease, there's no need to bring up old memories and make myself feel worse
Been invited on dates
I've been invited on dates, but I haven't accepted them
Might have gone but what for?
I could have gone on those dates, but without you, what's the point?
Awf'lly diff'rent without you
Going out on dates and to the club is just not the same without you
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Duke Ellington, Bob Russell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind