Eldridge was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His nickname was Little Jazz. Eldridge played in the bands of Fletcher Henderson, Gene Krupa and Artie Shaw before making records under his own name. He also played in Benny Goodman's and Count Basie's Orchestras, and co-led a band with Coleman Hawkins.
How High the Moon
Roy Eldridge Lyrics
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How faint the tune
Somewhere there's heaven
How high the moon
There is no moon above
When love is far away too
Till it comes true
That you love me as I love you
Somewhere there's music
How near, how far
Somewhere there's heaven
It's where you are
The darkest night would shine
If you would come to me soon
Until you will, how still my heart
How high the moon
Somewhere there's music
How faint the tune
Somewhere there's heaven
How high the moon
The darkest night would shine
If you would come to me soon
Until you will, how still my heart
How high the moon
In the song "How High the Moon" by Roy Eldridge, the lyrics convey a sense of yearning and longing for the love that is currently out of reach. The opening lines, "Somewhere there's music, how faint the tune. Somewhere there's heaven, how high the moon" create a sense of distance and abstraction. The imagery of the music being faint and the concept of heaven being high up in the sky seem to suggest that the love being sought is unattainable and elusive.
The following lines, "There is no moon above, when love is far away too. Till it comes true, that you love me as I love you" reinforce the theme of distance and separation, as the lack of a visible moon is analogous to the absence of love in the singer's life. The lyrics express the hope that love will be reciprocated, ending the singer's feelings of isolation and making the moon shine brighter.
The last lines, "The darkest night would shine, if you would come to me soon. Until you will, how still my heart. How high the moon" illustrate the singer's deep desire and patience for the return of love. The darkest night would shine if the love being sought would be realized. The lyrics "how still my heart" express the sense of emptiness and lack of fulfillment due to the absence of love. The phrase "how high the moon" is repeated throughout, echoing the unattainable nature of love and reinforcing the longing and yearning for its return.
Line by Line Meaning
Somewhere there's music
Music exists somewhere in the world and can be heard by those who are listening.
How faint the tune
Although the music exists, it may be difficult to hear or barely audible.
Somewhere there's heaven
There is a place of paradise that exists somewhere, even if it is currently out of reach or unknown.
How high the moon
The idea of heaven or paradise is elevated and unattainable, like the moon in the sky.
There is no moon above
When love is not present or accessible, everything else seems dull or insignificant.
When love is far away too
The feeling of love is distant and unreachable, as if it is on the other side of the world.
Till it comes true
The hope and anticipation for love to finally arrive and become a reality.
That you love me as I love you
The longing for reciprocated love, where both parties feel the same level of affection towards each other.
How near, how far
Love can feel both close and within reach, yet distant and unattainable at the same time.
It's where you are
The idea of heaven or paradise is wherever the person you love happens to be.
The darkest night would shine
With the presence and love of the significant other, even the darkest moments can seem brighter and more bearable.
Until you will, how still my heart
Without reciprocation or the presence of the person he loves, his heart will remain stagnant and unfulfilled.
How high the moon
The idea of love and happiness is so elevated and seemingly unattainable that it is like reaching for the moon.
Somewhere there's music
Music still exists somewhere in the world, even though his heart may be heavy and his love unreciprocated.
How faint the tune
Although the music is still present, it may be difficult to hear or even seem insignificant when his heart is heavy with longing.
Somewhere there's heaven
The idea of paradise and love still exists somewhere, even if it is currently out of reach.
How high the moon
The idea of love is still elevated and seemingly unattainable, but the hope for its eventual arrival remains.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Morgan Lewis, Nancy Hamilton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind