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.
My One and Only Love
Rahsaan Roland Kirk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like an April breeze on the wings of spring,
And you appear in all your splendor,
My one and only love.
The shadows fall and spread their mystic charms
In the hush of night while you're in my arms.
I feel your lips, so warm and tender,
The touch of your hand is like heaven,
A heaven that I've never known.
The blush on your cheek whenever I speak
Tells me that you are my own.
You fill my eager heart with such desire.
Ev'ry kiss you give sets my soul on fire.
I give myself in sweet surrender,
My one and only love.
The lyrics to "My One and Only Love" by Rahsaan Roland Kirk express the overwhelming love and adoration the singer has for their significant other. The song begins by stating that just the mere thought of their loved one makes their heart sing, comparing it to the feeling of an "April breeze on the wings of spring." This simile highlights the purity and freshness of their love. The second verse describes the beauty of being wrapped up in the embrace of their loved one during a quiet evening. The singer describes their partner's warm and tender lips, expressing their intense passion for their presence.
The third verse is perhaps the most expressive, as the singer describes their partner's touch as heaven. The vivid imagery of their loved one's blush and the effect that their words have on them emphasizes the intimacy and personal connection they share. The final verse solidifies the singer's love and devotion, expressing that they willingly give themselves up to their partner, convinced that they are their one and only love.
Overall, the lyrics of "My One and Only Love" capture the depth and intensity of true love. The use of similes and vivid imagery helps the listener understand the singer's overwhelming passion for their significant other. The song serves as an ode to the power of love and how it can completely envelop and consume an individual.
Line by Line Meaning
The very thought of you makes my heart sing
The mere idea of you brings me joy beyond words
Like an April breeze on the wings of spring,
You make me feel alive and renewed, like a fresh, gentle wind during the season of growth
And you appear in all your splendor,
You come to me in all of your greatness
My one and only love.
You are the only person who holds my heart
The shadows fall and spread their mystic charms
As darkness descends, its intrigue and allure envelop us
In the hush of night while you're in my arms.
In the stillness of the evening, with you close to me, it feels like the world has stopped turning
I feel your lips, so warm and tender,
The caress of your lips on mine is gentle and loving
My one and only love.
You are the only person who holds my heart
The touch of your hand is like heaven,
When you touch me, it feels like pure paradise
A heaven that I've never known.
This level of happiness is new to me, thanks to you
The blush on your cheek whenever I speak
I see a rosy glow on your face when I talk to you
Tells me that you are my own.
This display of affection confirms that you are mine and I am yours
You fill my eager heart with such desire.
My heart yearns for you with great intensity
Ev'ry kiss you give sets my soul on fire.
Each time you kiss me, my spirit ignites with passion
I give myself in sweet surrender,
I offer myself to you wholly and willingly
My one and only love.
You are the only person who holds my heart
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Guy B. Wood, Robert Mellin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jplew138
Never in a million years would I have thought that Roland Kirk was on the ED SULLIVAN SHOW.
Much respect, Mr. Sullivan 👊
@pgroove163
everyone was on Ed Sullivan
@RO8YO
I was shocked that Rahsaan was on Ed Sullivan. Then he introduced Mingus and I literally yelled GTFO. Bright moments!
@jplew138
MAN!!!
@monoped8437
did they leave?
@theodorelewis5188
All of these Legendary musicians who added to the idiom of "Jazz"music.
@yelesadiq
OUTRAGEOUS!! i remember watching that live, one-time-only episode! my parents and siblings and i were watching Ed Sullivan--as most Americans did, every week--being lulled into passivity by all the goofy "entertainers" that were always presented. Then--having staged picketlines that demanded "real black music" on Sullivan's show--Rasaan and company were given ONE chance to play on the most popular TV show in America: when they began blowing, it was as if i was being woken from a decade-long coma. That performance was one of the most revolutionary acts in the history of American culture!
@MisterBeauJanGels
Considering it was months away from being canceled when this aired, is "the most popular TV show in America" really an accurate description?
@DJDownes100
always some argumentative, contrarian simpleton whose mouth is bigger than their brains. be quiet big man @@MisterBeauJanGels
@oldbeatpete
Yes, Ed became passe by '69..