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.
One By One
Rhoda Scott Lyrics
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I can't see anyone but you
Sha bop sha bop
Are the stars out tonight
I don't know if it's cloudy or bright
I only have eyes for you dear
But I can't see a thing in the sky
I only have eyes for you
I don't know if we're in a garden
Or on a crowded avenue
You are here and so am I
Maybe millions of people go by
But they all disappear from view
And I only have eyes for you
The lyrics to Rhoda Scott's song One by One seem to explore the concept of love that is all-consuming and all-encompassing. The opening lines, "My love must be a kind of blind love, I can't see anyone but you, Sha bop sha bop," suggest a love that is blinding and all-consuming. The following lines continue this theme, with the singer expressing that they can't see anything else but the person they love. The next verse, "Are the stars out tonight, I don't know if it's cloudy or bright, I only have eyes for you dear," further emphasizes this theme by suggesting that even the beauty of the stars is irrelevant to the singer, who can only focus on their love.
The bridge of the song introduces the idea that the singer's love is so complete that they don't even need to know where they are or what's going on around them. "I don't know if we're in a garden or on a crowded avenue, you are here and so am I," suggests that the love between these two people transcends their surroundings and creates its own world. The final lines of the song, "Maybe millions of people go by, but they all disappear from view, and I only have eyes for you," drive home the idea that nothing else in the world is as important or as captivating as the singer's love for this person.
Line by Line Meaning
My love must be a kind of blind love
My love is based on an unconditional devotion, without regard for outside features or expectations.
I can't see anyone but you
My attention is solely focused on you and nobody else.
Sha bop sha bop
A nonsensical vocalization that conveys the joyful, carefree nature of the song.
Are the stars out tonight
I am uncertain about the current sky conditions.
I don't know if it's cloudy or bright
I do not possess the knowledge of the weather outside.
I only have eyes for you dear
My attention is fixed solely on you, to the exclusion of all other distractions.
The moon may be high
Despite the presence of astronomical features, I remain fixed on you.
But I can't see a thing in the sky
My physical surroundings become irrelevant when you are present.
I only have eyes for you
Although other stimuli exist, my attention solely belongs to you.
I don't know if we're in a garden
The location of our setting is unknown to me.
Or on a crowded avenue
Our surroundings may be a bustling, lively street.
You are here and so am I
Our respective presences in this moment together are my only concern and joy.
Maybe millions of people go by
Although there may be many other people around us, I do not care or notice them.
But they all disappear from view
Other people, objects, and events become of little relevance when we are in each other's presence.
And I only have eyes for you
Even with all other distractions in existence, I remain fixed on you and only you.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Al Dubin, Harry Warren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MaryannaChanteuse
J'imagine la joie du public du Sunset Jazz, malheureusement je ne connais pas le nom de ce trompettiste ! Quel bonheur pour nos oreilles, et quel délice puisqu'il s'agit de Rhoda Scott (orgue Hammond B3), Julie Saury (batterie), Sophie Alour (sax ténor) !!
@stevo34640
Title: One by One