The … Read Full Bio ↴Rhoda Scott (b. ca. 1939) is an African-American Jazz organist.
The daughter of an AME minister, Scott spent much of her childhood in New Jersey, where she learned to play organ in the churches where her father served. Soon she herself was serving frequently as organist for youth and gospel choirs at her father's and other churches. Scott later studied classical piano, but she concentrated on the organ, eventually earning a Masters' degree in music theory from the Manhattan School of Music. By this time she had been asked by a choir member to fill in with a small band as a jazz pianist. Enjoying the music, she agreed to stay on with the band on condition that she be allowed to play organ instead of piano. Choosing as her instrument the Hammond Organ, she soon became a preeminent jazz musician.
Scott was first attracted to the organ in her father’s church at age seven. "It's really the most beautiful instrument in the world," she stated in a recent interview. "The first thing I did was take my shoes off and work the pedals."[1] From then on she always played her church organ in her bare feet, and to this date she has continued the practice, earning her nicknames such as "The Barefoot Lady" and "The Barefoot Contessa." Following her lead, many other performers of popular organ music now also play barefoot. Because of her church training, however, Scott uses the pedals to play a genuine bass line, unlike many other jazz organists, which allows her to use her left hand for more elaborate chord work.[2] The resulting music is an energetic fusion of musical styles that partakes of jazz, gospel, and classical, reflecting both Scott’s early experience and her formal training.
In 1967 Scott moved to France, where she has since spent most of her career and earned recognition far greater than that accorded to her in the United States, though she often performs in the latter country as well.
Misty
Rhoda Scott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm as helpless as a kitten up a tree
And I feel like I'm clinging to a cloud
I can't understand
I get misty, holding your hand
Walk my way
And a thousand violins begin to play
That music I hear
I get misty the moment you're near
You can say that you're leading me on
But it's just what I want you to do
Don't you realize how hopelessly I'm lost
That's why I'm following you
On my own
Would I wander through this wonderland alone
Never knowing my right foot from my left
My hat from my glove
I get misty, and too much in love
I'm too misty, and too much in love
The song "Misty" by Rhoda Scott is a classic love song that captures the feeling of being head-over-heels in love. The first verse compares the feeling of being in love to being helpless like a kitten stuck up a tree, clinging onto a cloud. The singer cannot understand why they feel misty or dreamy when holding the hand of their beloved. The second verse describes the feeling of walking with the person they love, and feeling like thousands of violins suddenly start playing, or as if they could hear music simply from hearing their partner say hello. The chorus repeats that the singer feels misty whenever they are near their love, and that they are hopelessly lost and following this person, even if they are being led on.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at me
Directing someone's attention towards the singer
I'm as helpless as a kitten up a tree
Feeling vulnerable and in need of assistance
And I feel like I'm clinging to a cloud
Feeling light and airy, yet unsure and unsteady
I can't understand
Unable to comprehend or rationalize feelings
I get misty, holding your hand
Overwhelmed with emotion when physically close to the person
Walk my way
Inviting the person to approach the singer
And a thousand violins begin to play
Feeling a strong and romantic connection with the person
Or it might be the sound of your hello
Acknowledging the person's small, yet impactful actions
That music I hear
Associating the person with a beautiful, melodic tune
I get misty the moment you're near
Being easily overwhelmed with emotions when in the person's presence
You can say that you're leading me on
Acknowledging that the person may not have genuine intentions, but choosing to follow anyway
But it's just what I want you to do
Choosing to ignore any ulterior motives and accepting the current situation as it is
Don't you realize how hopelessly I'm lost
Expressing the depth of feelings and attachment towards the person
That's why I'm following you
Choosing to stick with the person despite any uncertainties or doubts
On my own
Acknowledging that without the person, the singer would feel lost
Would I wander through this wonderland alone
Expressing the importance of the person in the artist's life
Never knowing my right foot from my left
Being completely lost and oblivious without the person's guidance
My hat from my glove
Not being able to differentiate between small everyday objects without the person's assistance
I get misty, and too much in love
Feeling emotionally overwhelmed and smitten with the person
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Downtown Music Publishing, Spirit Music Group
Written by: ERROLL GARNER, JOHNNY BURKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind