Lewis began taking piano lessons at the age of four. As a young man, Lewis played with a number of local ensembles, such as Edward Virgil Abner's Knights of Music. Lewis would eventually join a jazz group called The Clefs.
He formed The Ramsey Lewis Trio in 1956 with Eldee Young and Isaac Holt. They started as primarily a jazz unit but after their hit, "The In Crowd", in 1965 (the single reached fifth place on the pop charts, and the album second place) the trio concentrated more and more on pop material. Young and Holt left in 1966 to form the Young-Holt Trio and were replaced by Cleveland Eaton and Maurice White. White was replaced by Maurice Jennings in 1970. In the late 1970s an additional keyboard player was frequently added to the lineup. A contemporary version of "The In Crowd" was recorded for Lewis' 2004 album, Time Flies.
His 2005 album "With One Voice" pays homage to his gospel roots with the help Smokie Norful, Darius Brooks, and Donald Lawrence and the J.W. James Memorial A.M.E. Church Combined Choir.
In addition to recording and performing, he was a radio host on Chicago's Smooth Jazz station, WNUA (95.5 FM). His syndicated show Legends of Jazz, featuring classic jazz recordings from artists such as Charlie Parker and Miles Davis), could be heard in 60 cities in the United States and other countries as well. His Legends of Jazz television series on PBS, was first aired in April 2006.
From December 2006, the Ramsey Lewis Morning Show became a part of Broadcast Architecture's Smooth Jazz Network, simulcasting on other Smooth Jazz stations across the country for the first time.
Lewis was artistic director of Jazz at Ravinia (an annual feature at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Illinois) and helped organize Ravinia's Jazz Mentor Program.
Dear Prudence
Ramsey Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day
The sun is up, the sky is blue
It's beautiful and so are you
Dear Prudence won't you come out to play
Dear Prudence open up your eyes
Dear Prudence see the sunny skies
That you are part of everything
Dear Prudence won't you open up your eyes?
Look around round
Look around round round
Look around
Dear Prudence let me see you smile
Dear Prudence like a little child
The clouds will be a daisy chain
So let me see you smile again
Dear Prudence won't you let me see you smile?
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play
Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day
The sun is up, the sky is blue
It's beautiful and so are you
Dear Prudence won't you come out to play
In Ramsey Lewis's song "Dear Prudence," the lyrics are a plea to "Prudence" to come out and enjoy the beauty of the world. The song is believed to be a tribute to Prudence Farrow, sister of actress Mia Farrow, who was a student and friend of the Beatles and famously joined the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram in India with them. Prudence is said to have spent long hours in meditation, not wishing to leave her room, and so the song is an invitation to emerge from that mindset and embrace the world.
The lyrics discuss the beauty of the sunrise and the blue sky, urging Prudence to open her eyes and see how she is a part of everything around her. The repeated chorus asks her to come out and play, smile like a child, and be a part of the world that surrounds her.
The song is a peaceful invitation to leave behind loneliness and isolation and to embrace the beauty of the world. The lyrics are simple and a little repetitive, but they do a great job of creating a peaceful and welcoming atmosphere.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play
Ramsey Lewis is urging Prudence to come outside and enjoy the day with him.
Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day
Lewis is encouraging Prudence to acknowledge the start of a new day.
The sun is up, the sky is blue
Lewis is pointing out that it's a beautiful day outside.
It's beautiful and so are you
Lewis wants Prudence to know that she is as beautiful as the day itself.
Dear Prudence won't you come out to play
Lewis is repeating his request for Prudence to join him outside.
Dear Prudence open up your eyes
Lewis wants Prudence to become more aware of her surroundings.
Dear Prudence see the sunny skies
Lewis is asking Prudence to appreciate the clear blue sky.
The wind is low the birds will sing
Lewis is drawing Prudence's attention to the sounds of nature around them.
That you are part of everything
Lewis is suggesting that Prudence is an essential part of the world around her.
Dear Prudence won't you open up your eyes?
Lewis is repeating his call for Prudence to pay more attention to what's around her.
Look around round
Lewis is repeating his call for Prudence to look at her environment and what's happening around her.
Look around round round
He's repeating this call again, more urgently.
Dear Prudence let me see you smile
Lewis wants to see Prudence happy and smiling.
Dear Prudence like a little child
Lewis wants Prudence to enjoy the day with the innocence and wonder of a child.
The clouds will be a daisy chain
Lewis is encouraging Prudence to see the beauty in the clouds and imagine them as a chain of flowers.
So let me see you smile again
Lewis wants Prudence to smile and enjoy the day again.
Dear Prudence won't you let me see you smile?
Lewis is urging Prudence to smile so he can see her happiness.
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play
Lewis is again asking Prudence to join him outside.
Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day
Lewis repeats his call for Prudence to appreciate the start of a new day.
The sun is up, the sky is blue
This line is repeated to emphasize the beauty of the day.
It's beautiful and so are you
Lewis reminds Prudence that she's just as beautiful as the day itself.
Dear Prudence won't you come out to play
The song ends with Lewis repeating his invitation for Prudence to come outside and enjoy the day with him.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Josi Negreiros
A arte como um todo conscientiza e resgata o cidadão para uma vida plena. Dentro desse contexto, a música é um bálsamo, um refúgio, a inspiração para buscar a nossa essência humana e divina. Obrigada Attuch pela boa inspiração. Bom sábado a todas e todos!
Eliana Rodrigues
Inspiradora. Obrigada Léo pelo compartilhamento e pelo jornalismo de verdade!
William B
From Charles Stepney's blue period. Killer orchestration and as different as it can get from The Beatles. I suspect they would have thought it over-blown but it's got a big groove. Love it!
irina
Que suingue bom! Obrigada, Leo!
paperlateful
RIP Ramsey great pianist
CD M
Absolutely stunning.
gilles302
Masterpiece
sandra rosa oliveira dos santos
Obrigada Leo! Bom fim de semana a todos!
Robert Taylor
Nice cover Ramsey!!!!!
Roderick Arbre
Amazing, ❤️❤️❤️🎶