Raymond Scott (born Harry Warnow, 10 September 1908 – 8 February 1994), was… Read Full Bio ↴Raymond Scott (born Harry Warnow, 10 September 1908 – 8 February 1994), was an American composer, orchestra leader, pianist, engineer, electronic instrument inventor and electronic music pioneer. He was born in Brooklyn to a family of Russian-Jewish immigrants. Though Scott never scored cartoon soundtracks, his music is familiar to millions because of its adaptation by Warner Bros. In 1936, Scott formed the "Raymond Scott Quintette", hoping to revitalise swing music through tight, busy arrangements and reduced reliance on improvisation. He called this musical style "descriptive jazz," and gave his works titles like "New Year's Eve in a Haunted House," and "Dinner Music for a Pack of Hungry Cannibals" (recorded by the Kronos Quartet in 1993). It was these compositions that were sold to Warner Bros. in 1943.

Scott was an early experimenter with electronic music. In 1946 he established Manhattan Research, Inc. The lab developed some of the first devices capable of producing electronic tones automatically in sequence. Using such instruments, Scott recorded three ground-breaking albums designed to lull infants to sleep, Soothing Sounds for Baby, in 1964. The music, anticipating the ambient work of Tangerine Dream and Brian Eno, did not find much favour with the record-buying public of the day. Scott's electronic music for radio and television commercials was released posthumously as "Manhattan Research, Inc." in 2000.

Someone To Watch Over Me
Raymond Scott Lyrics

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There's a saying old says that love is blind
Still were often told, seek and ye shall find
So I'm going to seek a certain lad I've had in mind
Looking everywhere, haven't found him yet

Hes the big affair I cannot forget
Only man I ever think of with regret
I'd like to add his initial to my monogram

Tell me, where is the shepherd for this lost lamb?

There's a somebody I'm longing to see
I hope that he turns out to be
Someone who'll watch over me
I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood
I know I could always be good
Someone who'll watch over me

Although he may not be the man some
Girls think of as handsome
To my heart he carries the key
Won't you tell him please to put on some speed

Follow my lead, oh, how I need
Someone to watch over me

Overall Meaning

The song "Someone to Watch Over Me" by Raymond Scott and the Secret Seven explores the theme of love and the search for a perfect partner in life, through the eyes of a woman who is seeking love. The opening lyrics emphasise that love is blind and that despite being told to seek, the woman hasn't found her 'certain lad' yet. She describes this man as the 'big affair' that she cannot forget, and the only man she ever thinks of with regret. She even expresses a desire to add his initial to her monogram. She is like a little lamb who is lost in the woods, hoping for someone to watch over her.

The song seems to be a plea for that 'certain lad' to come into her life and protect her. In spite of his physical appearance not being important to her, she wants him to put on some speed and follow her lead, as she needs someone to watch over her. The song is a timeless tale of love and companionship, with the woman searching for someone to help her find her way in life.

Line by Line Meaning

There's a saying old says that love is blind
As the proverb goes, when it comes to love, people often don't see the shortcomings.

Still were often told, seek and ye shall find
It is often advised that if you seek, you will find what you are looking for.

So I'm going to seek a certain lad I've had in mind
That's why I am looking for a particular man whom I've been thinking about.

Looking everywhere, haven't found him yet
I have searched everywhere but haven't been able to find him yet.

Hes the big affair I cannot forget
He is the significant matter that I cannot forget easily.

Only man I ever think of with regret
The only man whom I regret losing is him.

I'd like to add his initial to my monogram
I wish to include his initial along with mine.

Tell me, where is the shepherd for this lost lamb?
Where is the one who can guide me and protect me when I am feeling alone and vulnerable.

There's a somebody I'm longing to see
There's a person whom I am yearning to meet.

I hope that he turns out to be
I wish that he proves to be the one.

Someone who'll watch over me
The person who will take care of and protect me.

I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood
I feel like a vulnerable and innocent creature that is lost and struggling to find my way.

I know I could always be good
I know that I can behave well and be what he needs me to be.

Someone who'll watch over me
The person who will take care of and protect me.

Although he may not be the man some
Even though he might not appear to be the type of man that some women find handsome,

Girls think of as handsome
Some women might not consider him attractive.

To my heart he carries the key
He holds the key to my heart and my love for him.

Won't you tell him please to put on some speed
Could you please ask him to hurry up and come see me.

Follow my lead, oh, how I need
Do as I instruct, as I strongly feel that I need his guidance and support.

Someone to watch over me
The person who will take care of and protect me.

Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Broma 16, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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