Rupert Holmes (born February 24, 1947) is an American and British composer,… Read Full Bio ↴Rupert Holmes (born February 24, 1947) is an American and British composer, songwriter and author of plays, novels and stories. He is best known for his number one pop hit "Escape" (subtitled "The Piña Colada Song") in 1979 and his Tony Award winning musical The Mystery of Edwin Drood.

Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rupert_Holmes

(Semi-)Official Website:
http://www.rupertholmes.com

Second Saxophone
Rupert Holmes Lyrics

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I play second saxophone
And in my dreams I'm all alone
Without another saxophone beside me

I play second saxophone
Don't get a solo of my own
The Cafe Rouge has never heard me blow
And all I want to know

Is when those chicks who line
Around the stage will end up mine
They fall for guys who improvise on "Stardust"

Lord, they've had the Dorseys up to their necks
I've got the chops of Vito or Tex
I can fake Goodman's break

Beat me, pops, eight to the bar
I'm in the mood to be a star
The cover page of Metronome ain't tried me

Artie Shaw gave me a pass
And Miller's band signed up en masse
To serenade the D-Day raid
If I play one more country club I'll --

Lord, I'd even buy myself a new reed
If they would only let me play lead

I've quit the band, gone on my own
I don't play second saxophone
From 8 to 6 they hear my licks on Broadway

This place must be the worst
But still at least I'm playing first

I don't care where I have to play

I'm going to take my solo
And it's going to be solid Jackson

Overall Meaning

The song "Second Saxophone" by Rupert Holmes describes the frustration of a saxophone player who has been relegated to playing second fiddle to other saxophonists in the band. In the opening lines, the musician expresses his loneliness even in his dreams, as he imagines himself without another saxophone player beside him. He laments that he never gets to play a solo, and that the Café Rouge where he performs has never heard him play heroically.

The musician is envious of the attention that other saxophonists receive from female fans, who seem to be drawn to those who can improvise on jazz standards like "Stardust." The song mentions famous bandleaders like the Dorsey brothers, Artie Shaw, and Glenn Miller, illustrating the singer's frustration at not being recognized for his talent. The lyrics evoke the struggles of many musicians who must balance their desire to be recognized as soloists with the necessity of playing in a group to make a living.

Overall, "Second Saxophone" is a humorous critique of the larger-than-life personas that often accompany great musicians, as well as an exploration of the insecurity and ambition that drive musicians to succeed.

Line by Line Meaning

I play second saxophone
I am a musician who plays the saxophone in a secondary position to another saxophonist.

And in my dreams I'm all alone Without another saxophone beside me
I dream of playing the saxophone without another musician accompanying me on their own saxophone.

Don't get a solo of my own The Cafe Rouge has never heard me blow And all I want to know
I never get to perform a solo during a musical performance, and I am unknown to the Cafe Rouge where I play. I really just want to know...

Is when those chicks who line Around the stage will end up mine They fall for guys who improvise on "Stardust"
When will the women in the audience start to like me instead of the saxophonist who plays solo? They seem to like musicians who improvise solos on the song 'Stardust.'

Lord, they've had the Dorseys up to their necks I've got the chops of Vito or Tex I can fake Goodman's break
The audience has had enough of the famous Dorsey brothers. I have the skills of other great saxophonists, such as Vito or Tex, and I can mimic Benny Goodman's performance style.

Beat me, pops, eight to the bar I'm in the mood to be a star The cover page of Metronome ain't tried me
Play the rhythm for me, conductor, in eight beats, and I will show off my talents. I am ready to be famous, and I have not yet been featured on the cover of the Metronome music magazine.

Artie Shaw gave me a pass And Miller's band signed up en masse To serenade the D-Day raid
The famous Artie Shaw has approved of my saxophone playing, and Glenn Miller's band has recruited me to play with them during a live performance for the D-Day invasion.

If I play one more country club I'll -- Lord, I'd even buy myself a new reed If they would only let me play lead
If I have to play another gig at a country club, I will be extremely upset. I am willing to invest in new equipment, such as a reed, if it means that I can finally be the lead saxophonist.

I've quit the band, gone on my own I don't play second saxophone From 8 to 6 they hear my licks on Broadway
I have left the band and am now performing on my own. I refuse to play second saxophone anymore. I now perform in Broadway shows from 8 in the morning until 6 at night.

This place must be the worst But still at least I'm playing first I don't care where I have to play
This new venue I am playing at may not be great, but at least I am now the lead saxophonist. I will play anywhere if it means I get to perform a solo.

I'm going to take my solo And it's going to be solid Jackson
I will finally get to perform a solo, and it will be amazing. It will be so good that it will be referred to as 'solid Jackson.'

Contributed by Mia R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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