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Fraser MacPherson and Rob McConnell in 1989. Photo courtesy of the Fraser MacPherson estate
Robert Murray Gordon (Rob) McConnell (born February 14, 1935, London, Ontario) is a Canadian jazz valve trombonist, composer, arranger, music educator and recording artist.
Rob McConnell took up the valve trombone in high school, and began his performing career in the early 1950s, performing and studying with Don Thompson, Bobby Gimby, and later, with fellow Canadian Maynard Ferguson. In 1968 he formed The Boss Brass, a big band that would become his primary performing and recording unit through the 1970s and 1980s.
In 1988, McConnell took a teaching position at the Dick Grove School of Music in California, but gave up his position and returned to Canada a year later. In 1997, McConnell was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and in 1998 was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. Since that time he has remained active, touring internationally both as a performer and educator, running clinics around the world and performing as both a leader and a guest artist. The newly formed Rob McConnell tentet has been quite successful, producing three major records, The Rob McConnell Tentet (2000), Thank You, Ted (2002), and Music of the Twenties (2003).
Just Friends
Rob McConnell & The Boss Brass Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just friends, but not like before
To think of what we've been and not to kiss again
Seems like pretending it isn't the ending
Two friends drifting apart
Two friends, but one broken heart
We loved, we laughed, we cried, and suddenly love died
The song "Just Friends" by Rob McConnell & The Boss Brass is a melancholic account of a romantic relationship that has come to an end. The lyrics vividly capture the feelings of two friends who have decided to part ways after a passionate affair. The song is a reflection of the unfortunate reality that not all romantic relationships result in happily ever after. The opening lines indicate that the couple is no longer lovers, and although they remain friends, their relationship can never return to its former intimacy. The poignant phrase "To think of what we've been and not to kiss again" conveys the pain that the lovers feel as they struggle to move on.
The second and third verses highlight the feelings of heartbreak and sadness that the lovers are experiencing. They reminisce about the good times they shared, but the fact that their love has died is undeniable. The contrast between the past and present perfect tenses used in "We loved, we laughed, we cried, and suddenly love died" is particularly effective at conveying the suddenness and finality of the relationship's demise. The song's closing lines underscore the sense of loss and regret that the lovers feel as they come to terms with their breakup.
Line by Line Meaning
Just friends, lovers no more
We are no longer romantically involved, but we remain friends
Just friends, but not like before
Our relationship has changed from romantic to platonic
To think of what we've been and not to kiss again
It's difficult to remember our romantic past and not give in to the temptation to kiss again
Seems like pretending it isn't the ending
It feels like we're in denial about the fact that our romantic relationship has ended
Two friends drifting apart
Our friendship is slowly fading away
Two friends, but one broken heart
One of us is heartbroken about the end of our romantic relationship, while the other has moved on
We loved, we laughed, we cried, and suddenly love died
We shared many emotions together during our romantic relationship, but it ended suddenly
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing
Written by: JOHN KLENNER, SAM M. LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Peter Smith
Thanks for posting this. As an ex jazz trombone player I have always loved the 'Rob's charts and the bone' section never ceases to amaze me. To me the Boss Brass is the greatest big band of all time and, although I miss the big man now he's no longer with us I'm just grateful for the marvellous legacy he left us.
Bobby Knight
Thanks so far as for
Bobby Knight
Phone
Bobby Knight
@Las Latty is your p in in in
Martin Platt
Hear hear....beautiful words and well said Peter.
Las Latty
Peter Smith I agree with you re" best damm band ever" ...I was a session musicians for 35 years .....played with a couple of great bands ( Johnny Richards). But while I was living in Toronto I came to be close to Rob and the band . There is a big band Germany . peter Herbolzheimer & his Rhythm Combination & Brass band ( a mouthfull) which sounds amazingly like the BB. They have some great soloist (Til Bronner played with them for awhile).....I urge you to check them out..you will not be disappointed!!
777jinxie
There just isn't currently anybody that has the sound, the range, the 'cleanliness' of the Boss Brass. They sound so dynamic! Bet they would have been good live...
Paul Read
Living in Toronto, I got to hear them live quite a few times. The band was as terrific live as you can possibly imagine. Also, Rob was an extraordinary stand-up comedian. His between tunes 'riffing' was always worth the price of admission alone. he was a tremendous unique talent who was admired and given many accolades here in Canada and in the US. But it was always a tough go to run a band. He said once in a clinic I went to that he had had the Boss Brass for 10 years before he, personally, made a dollar. !!!!!!
charliekeet
We played this arrangement in high school. Early 90s. One of my fave charts - it is great to hear it again!
Joe Heid
We played TO in 85. Boss Brass Rule!@