Braff was a wonderfully characterful and melodic player with an immediately identifiable sound and unique tone on the cornet, an uncommon instrument in post-war jazz. He style was fundamentally based on that of earlier players including Louis Armstrong, Bobby Hackett and Bunny Berigan but he transcended these influences to always sounds fresh, sparky and somehow modern.
He was born in Boston and began playing in local clubs in the 1940s. In 1949, he was hired to play with the Edmond Hall Orchestra. He relocated to New York in 1953 where he was much in demand for band dates and recordings.
He died February 10, 2003, in Chatham, Massachusetts.
"Sure, they’ve made statements about my supposedly combining a modern approach with a feeling for traditional forms. Well, people say all sorts of things, because they want to categorise and label. I’ve only ever had two labels. Either it’s good or it stinks." - Ruby Braff speaking in 1968
He Loves and She Loves
Ruby Braff Lyrics
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I was kissed by my sisters, my cousins, and my aunties.
Sad to tell, it was hell, an inferno worse than Dante's.
So my dear I swore,
"Never, never more!"
On my list, I insisted that kissing must be crossed out.
Now, I find I was blind, and oh my!
I could cry salty tears,
Where have I been all these years?
Little wow, tell me now,
How long has this been going on?
There were chills up my spine,
And some thrills I can't define.
Listen, sweet, I repeat,
How long has this been going on?
Oh, I feel that I could melt,
Into Heaven I'm hurled!
I know how Columbus felt,
Finding another world.
Kiss me once, then once more.
What a dunce I was before.
What a break!
For Heaven's sake!
How long has this been going on?
Dear, when in your arms I creep,
That divine rendezvous,
Don't wake me, if I'm asleep,
Let me dream that it's true!
Kiss me twice, then once more.
That makes thrice, let's make it four!
What a break!
For Heaven's sake!
How long has this been going on?
How long has this, been going on?
The lyrics to "He Loves and She Loves" by Ruby Braff / Gene DiNovi describe a narrator who previously held a negative view towards kissing, due to having been kissed by family members as a child. However, the singer has since changed their mind and is experiencing a newfound love for kissing someone, potentially a romantic partner. The lyrics describe the overwhelming emotions that come with this new experience, such as feeling like they're "melt[ing]" and being "hurled into Heaven." The singer concludes the song by requesting to be kissed repeatedly, indicating that they want to continue experiencing these newfound feelings.
The lyrics of "He Loves and She Loves" suggest that the song is a celebration of new love and discovering the joy of intimacy. Despite the singer's reservations due to negative past experiences, they are swept away by their newfound feelings for their lover. The lyrics also demonstrate the transformative power of love, as the singer's previous negative attitude towards kissing is replaced with a passionate desire for it. The playful and light-hearted nature of the lyrics reinforces the message that love is something to be enjoyed and celebrated.
Line by Line Meaning
As a tot, when I trotted in little velvet panties,
As a little girl, when I walked around in fancy clothes,
I was kissed by my sisters, my cousins, and my aunties.
I received many kisses from female members of my family.
Sad to tell, it was hell, an inferno worse than Dante's.
Unfortunately, those kisses were unpleasant and felt like torture.
So my dear I swore, "Never, never more!"
So I made a promise to myself that I would never engage in kissing again.
On my list, I insisted that kissing must be crossed out.
I wrote on my list of things I would not do that kissing was forbidden.
Now, I find I was blind, and oh my! How I lost out!
Now I realize how foolish I was and how much I missed out on by not allowing myself to kiss.
I could cry salty tears, Where have I been all these years?
I feel regret for not experiencing the joy of kissing sooner.
Little wow, tell me now, How long has this been going on?
Wow, I'm amazed by this feeling, how long have I been missing out on it?
There were chills up my spine, And some thrills I can't define.
Kissing gave me a shiver and a feeling of excitement that I can't put into words.
Listen, sweet, I repeat, How long has this been going on?
Sweetheart, can you tell me again how long this incredible feeling has been happening?
Oh, I feel that I could melt, Into Heaven I'm hurled!
I feel like I'm melting and being lifted up to Heaven with this sensation.
I know how Columbus felt, Finding another world.
I feel like I've discovered a whole new world, just like Columbus.
Kiss me once, then once more. What a dunce I was before.
Kiss me again and again, how foolish was I to have never experienced this before.
What a break! For Heaven's sake! How long has this been going on?
This is amazing, we must continue, how long have you been feeling this way?
Dear, when in your arms I creep, That divine rendezvous, Don't wake me, if I'm asleep, Let me dream that it's true!
When I'm wrapped up in your arms, it's a heavenly feeling, don't wake me if I'm dreaming, let me keep feeling this way.
Kiss me twice, then once more. That makes thrice, let's make it four!
Now that we've kissed a few times, let's keep going and make it four times.
How long has this been going on? How long has this, been going on?
I still can't believe how long I've been missing out on this amazing feeling.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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