After moving to New York in the early 1950s, she married Parker’s pianist, Duke Jordan, and studied with Lennie Tristano, but it was not until the early 1960s that she made her first recordings. One was under her name; the other was “The Outer View” with George Russell, which featured a famous 10-minute version of “You Are My Sunshine.”
In the mid-1960s, her work encompassed jazz liturgies sung in churches and extensive club work, but her appeal was narrow even within the confines of jazz. However, by the late 1970s, jazz audiences had begun to understand her uncompromising style a little more. As a result, her popularity increased - as did her appearances on record, which included albums with pianist Steve Kuhn, whose quartet she joined, and an album, Home, comprising a selection of Robert Creeley’s poems set to music and arranged by Steve Swallow.
A 1983 duo set with bassist Harvie Swartz, “Old Time Feeling” comprises several standards Jordan regularly features in her live repertoire, while the 1990s “Lost And Found” pays tribute to her bebop roots. Both sets display her unique musical trademarks, such as the frequent and unexpected sweeping changes of pitch, which still tend to confound an uninitiated audience. Her preference for the bass and voice set led to another remarkable collaboration with bassist Cameron Brown, who has been performing worldwide for more than ten years and has released the live albums “I’ve Grown Accustomed to the Bass” and “Celebration.” Entirely non-derivative, Jordan is one of only a tiny handful of jazz singers who fully deserve the appellation and for whom no other term will do.
Hum Drum Blues
Sheila Jordan Lyrics
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We′re always battlin' boredom
Where, tell me where has it gotten us?
Everything′s still so doggone hum-drum
Stuck in a rut, gettin' nowhere fast
Ooh, hum-drum blues
Fightin' the future and mad with the past
Oh honey
When you ain′t got money
Then you just can′t do as you choose
Just gotta live with the hum-drum blues
Each day's just like the day before
Ooh, hum-drum blues
Work like a dog but I′m mighty poor
Ooh, hum-drum blues
Ooh, buddy, it'll run you naughty
When you find yourself in our shoes
Stumbling along with the hum-drum blues
Don′t know which way I'm goin′
I don't know which way I comе from
Rainin', or shining or snowin′
Everything′s still so doggone hum-drum
Love mе honey, I wish you would
Ooh, hum-drum blues
Sure would do me a world o' good
Ooh, hum-drum blues
Oooh baby
If you love me, maybe
We could get together and lose
Those mean old hum-blues
Hum-drum blues
Hum-drum blues
Hum-drum blues
Hum-drum blues
The lyrics to Sheila Jordan's song "Hum Drum Blues" express the frustration and monotony of everyday life. The singer reflects on the constant battle against boredom and questions the purpose of their efforts. Despite their best efforts, everything remains dull and uneventful, leading to a feeling of being stuck in a never-ending cycle. The lyrics convey a sense of dissatisfaction and longing for something more.
The repetition of the phrase "hum-drum blues" emphasizes the mundane nature of the singer's existence. They feel trapped in a rut, unable to make any progress or change their circumstances. The mention of financial struggles adds another layer to their frustration, as they are unable to freely pursue their desires or escape the hum-drum blues.
The lyrics also touch on the uncertainty of life and the singer's feeling of being lost. They don't know which direction to take or where they come from, as every day feels the same. The plea for love and companionship suggests that the singer believes a meaningful connection could help alleviate the hum-drum blues and bring joy back into their life.
Overall, "Hum Drum Blues" portrays a sense of dissatisfaction with the repetitiveness and lack of excitement in life, longing for something more fulfilling.
Line by Line Meaning
Life can be mighty monotonous
Existence can be extremely repetitive
We're always battlin' boredom
Constantly struggling against feelings of tedium
Where, tell me where has it gotten us?
What progress or achievement has it brought us?
Everything's still so doggone hum-drum
Everything remains incredibly dull and uninteresting
Stuck in a rut, gettin' nowhere fast
Trapped in a monotonous routine without any progress or advancement
Ooh, hum-drum blues
Oh, the weariness and dissatisfaction of a monotonous existence
Fightin' the future and mad with the past
Struggling against the uncertainty of the future while feeling resentful towards the past
Aah, hum-drum blues
Ah, the weariness and dissatisfaction of a monotonous existence
Oh honey
Oh dear
When you ain't got money
When you lack financial resources
Then you just can't do as you choose
Then your choices and actions become limited
Just gotta live with the hum-drum blues
You simply have to accept and endure the weariness and dissatisfaction of a monotonous existence
Each day's just like the day before
Every day is identical to the one preceding it
Work like a dog but I'm mighty poor
Work tirelessly yet remain financially destitute
Ooh, hum-drum blues
Oh, the weariness and dissatisfaction of a monotonous existence
Ooh, buddy, it'll run you naughty
Oh, my friend, it will make you lose your sanity
When you find yourself in our shoes
When you experience what we are going through
Stumbling along with the hum-drum blues
Continuing with difficulty while enduring the weariness and dissatisfaction of a monotonous existence
Don't know which way I'm goin'
Unsure of my direction
I don't know which way I come from
I am uncertain of my origin
Rainin', or shining or snowin'
Regardless of whether it's raining, sunny, or snowing
Everything's still so doggone hum-drum
Everything remains incredibly dull and uninteresting
Love me honey, I wish you would
Show me affection, my dear, I desire it
Ooh, hum-drum blues
Oh, the weariness and dissatisfaction of a monotonous existence
Sure would do me a world o' good
Certainly would greatly benefit me
Ooh, hum-drum blues
Oh, the weariness and dissatisfaction of a monotonous existence
Oooh baby
Oh my love
If you love me, maybe
If you have affection for me, perhaps
We could get together and lose
We could unite and escape from
Those mean old hum-blues
Those unpleasant and oppressive hum-drum blues
Hum-drum blues
Weariness and dissatisfaction of a monotonous existence
Hum-drum blues
Weariness and dissatisfaction of a monotonous existence
Hum-drum blues
Weariness and dissatisfaction of a monotonous existence
Hum-drum blues
Weariness and dissatisfaction of a monotonous existence
Writer(s): Oscar Brown
Contributed by Austin G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.