A graduate of Ewing High School, Ewing New Jersey, Cole started on alto saxophone when he was ten encouraged by his father who owned a jazz club in New Jersey. Winning a scholarship, he attended Berklee College of Music for two years before beginning his professional career.
In 1969, he joined drummer Buddy Rich's Big Band. After working with Lionel Hampton's Big Band and Doc Severinsen's Big Band, he formed his Richie Cole Quintet and toured worldwide, developing his own "alto madness" bebop style in the 70s and early '80s. He formed the Alto Madness Orchestra in the 1990s.
In 2005, he was awarded the State of California Congressional Certificate of Lifetime Achievement in Jazz on behalf of the Temecula Jazz Society.
Lady Bird
Richie Cole Lyrics
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Rode his wings 'cross autumn skies
Kissed the sun, touched the moon
But he left me much too soon.
His lady bird, he left his lady bird
Lady bird come on down
I'm here waiting on the ground
Aw, lady bird I wish you would.
You lady bird, pretty lady bird
Lightning flashed across the sky
The night he taught me how to fly
The sun came up and then I found
Too soon he let his lady down.
His lady bird, I'm his lady bird
Lady bird come on down
I'm here waiting on the ground
Lady bird I'll treat you good
Aw, lady bird I wish you would.
You lady bird, pretty lady bird
Winter lives in my heart
In the times we're apart
Summer sings a song or two
When he says "I love you true".
My lady bird, yeah, I'm his lady bird
Lady bird come on down
I'm here waiting on the ground
Lady bird I'll treat you good
Aw, lady bird I wish you would.
You lady bird, pretty lady bird (I,m your lady bird)
You're a lady bird (Yes, I'm a lady bird)
You're too much you little bird.
The lyrics of Richie Cole's song Lady Bird convey a sense of nostalgia and longing for a lost love. The first verse describes the singer's experience of soaring with an eagle and feeling the thrill of touching the sun and moon, but ultimately being left behind as the eagle departed. The second verse introduces the titular character, Lady Bird, as the singer awaits her return on the ground. The lightning and night imagery in the lyrics suggest that Lady Bird taught the singer how to fly, but their time together was fleeting as the sun rose and Lady Bird flew away, leaving the singer with a broken heart.
The third verse reflects on the seasons and how they mirror the singer's fluctuating emotions. Winter represents the pain and emptiness they feel when Lady Bird is gone, while summer signifies the joy and love they share in Lady Bird's presence. Overall, the lyrics of Lady Bird paint a vivid picture of a passionate but fleeting love affair and the lasting impact it has had on the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been where the eagle flies
I've experienced success and exhilaration in life
Rode his wings 'cross autumn skies
I've flown high above and achieved things beyond ordinary expectations
Kissed the sun, touched the moon
I've reached great heights and kissed the sun (boldly reaching for the impossible) but also been gentle and caring (touching the moon)
But he left me much too soon.
His lady bird, he left his lady bird
Despite achieving greatness, I was abandoned by the one I loved most, leaving me feeling incomplete without him. He left his lady bird
Lady bird come on down
I'm here waiting on the ground
Lady bird I'll treat you good
Aw, lady bird I wish you would.
You lady bird, pretty lady bird
I'm calling out to the one I love, asking her to come back to me. I promise to treat her well and want her to know how much I still care for her. She is my pretty lady bird
Lightning flashed across the sky
The night he taught me how to fly
The sun came up and then I found
Too soon he let his lady down.
His lady bird, I'm his lady bird
I remember the moment when he taught me to fly and the thrill of that experience. But then he let me down and abandoned me, leaving me heartbroken. I'm still his lady bird, however.
Winter lives in my heart
In the times we're apart
Summer sings a song or two
When he says "I love you true".
My lady bird, yeah, I'm his lady bird
Whenever we're apart, my heart is cold and lonely like a winter's day. But when he tells me he loves me, I feel the warmth of summer and brighten up. I'm still his lady bird
You're a lady bird (Yes, I'm a lady bird)
You're too much you little bird.
We both know that I'm his lady bird, and it feels good to acknowledge that. But sometimes I feel like I'm too devoted or obsessive, like a little bird who is too much to handle.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRISTINE ANN LEACH, DWIGHT CLARKE, ALEX GRAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind