Largely self-taught, Red Garland established a reputation as a solid post-b… Read Full Bio ↴Largely self-taught, Red Garland established a reputation as a solid post-bop mainstream player in the 50s, playing with many of the most famous jazz musicians of the time. He achieved international fame in the late 50s as part of the Miles Davis quintet. He went on to lead his own groups, but then retired in 1968, a victim the declining demand for jazz. He reemerged in 1976 and performed regularly until his death in 1984.

Garland was known for his eloquent middle-of-the-road style. A fertile, often moving improvisor, he developed a characteristic block chord sound by combining octaves with a fifth in the middle in the right hand over left-hand comp (accompanying) chords. The style has been much imitated.

Bye Bye Blackbird
Red Garland Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

No one here can love or understand me
Oh, what hard luck stories they all hand me
Pack up all my cares and woe, here I go, winging low
Bye, bye, blackbird

Where somebody waits for me
Sugar's sweet, so is she
Bye, bye, blackbird

No one here can love or understand me
Oh, what hard luck stories they all hand me
Make my bed and light the light, I'll arrive late tonight
Blackbird, bye, bye

Bye, bye, blackbird
Where somebody waits for me
Sugar's sweet, so is she
Bye, bye, blackbird

No one here can love or understand me
Oh what hard luck stories they all hand me

Make my bed and light the light, I'll arrive late tonight
Blackbird, bye, bye

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Red Garland's "Bye Bye Blackbird" evoke feelings of loneliness, sadness, and the desire for escape. The song reflects a sense of displacement and a longing for a place where someone loves and understands the singer. The opening lines, "No one here can love or understand me / Oh, what hard luck stories they all hand me," convey a sense of separation from society and the feeling that the singer is alone in their struggles.

The theme of escape is evident in the lines "Pack up all my cares and woe, here I go, winging low / Bye, bye, blackbird." These lines suggest that the singer is leaving behind their worries and sadness and flying off to a better place. The image of a blackbird is used as a metaphor for freedom and escape. The repeated chorus of "Bye, bye, blackbird / Where somebody waits for me / Sugar's sweet, so is she / Bye, bye, blackbird" emphasizes the singer's longing for intimacy and companionship.

Overall, "Bye Bye Blackbird" tells a story of a person who feels isolated and unloved, but who dreams of finding a place where they belong. The lyrics speak to the universal human experience of longing for connection and the desire to escape from our troubles.

Line by Line Meaning

No one here can love or understand me
I feel alone and unloved in this place where no one seems to truly know me or care about me.

Oh, what hard luck stories they all hand me
I am constantly bombarded with tales of misfortune and hardship, which only add to my own sadness and isolation.

Pack up all my cares and woe, here I go, winging low
I am ready to leave behind all of my troubles and worries, and fly away with a heavy heart.

Bye, bye, blackbird
Farewell to the past and the pain it brings, as I embark on a new journey.

Where somebody waits for me
I long for the comfort and companionship of someone who truly knows and understands me.

Sugar's sweet, so is she
I have found someone who is not only kind and caring but also brings me joy and happiness, just like sugar.

Make my bed, and light the light, I'll arrive late tonight
Prepare my room for my arrival, as I will be returning late tonight after a long journey, tired but hopefully happy.

Blackbird, bye, bye
Once again, farewell to the past and hello to the future, with new hope and a lighter heart.

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mort Dixon, Ray Henderson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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