Shirley Valerie Horn (May 1, 1934 – October 20, 2005) was an American jazz … Read Full Bio ↴Shirley Valerie Horn (May 1, 1934 – October 20, 2005) was an American jazz singer and pianist. She collaborated with many jazz greats including Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Toots Thielemans, Ron Carter, Carmen McRae, Wynton Marsalis and others. She was most noted for her ability to accompany herself with nearly incomparable independence and ability on the piano while singing, something described by arranger Johnny Mandel as "like having two heads", and for her rich, lush voice, a smoky contralto, which was described by noted producer and arranger Quincy Jones as "like clothing, as she seduces you with her voice". Although she could swing as strongly as any straight-ahead jazz artist, Horn's reputation rode on her exquisite ballad work.

Shirley Horn was born and raised in Washington, D.C.. Encouraged by her grandmother, an amateur organist, Horn began piano lessons at the age of four. Aged 12, she studied piano and composition at Howard University, later graduating from there in classical music. Horn was offered a place at the Juilliard School, but her family could not afford to send her there. Horn formed her first jazz piano trio when she was 20. Horn's early piano influences were Erroll Garner, Oscar Peterson and Ahmad Jamal, and moving away from her classical background, Horn later said that "Oscar Peterson became my Rachmaninov, and Ahmad Jamal became my Debussy." She then became enamored with the famous U Street jazz area of Washington (largely destroyed in the 1968 riots), sneaking into jazz clubs before she was of legal age.

Horn first achieved fame in 1960, through her association with Miles Davis. Davis' praise had particular resonance in two respects: because he was so highly respected as a musician, and because he rarely offered public praise for fellow musicians at that time. Horn had, though, recorded several songs with violinist Stuff Smith in 1959 both as a pianist and a singer. After her discovery by Davis, she recorded albums on different small labels in the early 1960s, eventually landing contracts with larger labels Mercury Records and Impulse Records. She was popular with jazz critics, but did not achieve significant popular success.

Quincy Jones attempted to make Horn into a pure vocalist in several recording sessions, something he later hinted may have been a mistake. Horn was also disturbed by the changes in popular music in the 1960s following the arrival of The Beatles. Largely rejecting efforts to remake her into a popular singer, she stated: "I will not stoop to conquer."[4] From the late-1960s, she concentrated on raising her daughter Rainy with her husband, Shepherd Deering (whom she had married in 1955), and largely limited her performances to her native Washington, D.C.

Miles Davis made a rare appearance as a sideman on Horn's 1991 album You Won't Forget Me. Although she preferred to perform in small settings, such as her trio, she also recorded with orchestras, as on the 1992 album Here's to Life, the title song (lyrics by Phyllis Molinary, music by Artie Butler) of which became her signature song. A video documentary of Horn's life and music was released at the same time as "Here's To Life" and shared its title. At the time, arranger Johnny Mandel commented that Horn's piano skill was comparable to that of the noted jazz great Bill Evans. A follow-up was made in 2001, named You're My Thrill.

Horn worked with the same rhythm section for 25 years: Charles Ables (bass) and Steve Williams (drums). Don Heckman wrote in the Los Angeles Times (February 2, 1995) about "the importance of bassist Charles Ables and drummer Steve Williams to Horn's sound. Working with boundless subtlety, following her every spontaneous twist and turn, they were the ideal accompanists for a performer who clearly will tolerate nothing less than perfection".

Her albums Here's to Life, Light Out of Darkness (A Tribute to Ray Charles) and I Love You, Paris all reached number one on the Billboard jazz charts.

Due to health problems in the early 2000s, Horn had to cut back on her performances. After 2002, a foot amputation (from complications of diabetes) led her to leave the piano playing to pianist George Mesterhazy. In late 2004, Horn felt able to play piano again, and recorded a live album for Verve, at Manhattan's Au Bar with trumpet player Roy Hargrove, which did not satisfy her.[citation needed] It remains unreleased except for tracks on But Beautiful - The Best of Shirley Horn.

A breast cancer survivor, she had been battling diabetes when she died of complications from the condition, aged 71. She is interred at Ft. Lincoln Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Horn was nominated for nine Grammy Awards during her career, winning the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance at the 41st Grammy Awards for I Remember Miles, a tribute to her friend and mentor (the album's cover featuring a Miles Davis drawing of them both).

She was officially recognized by the 109th US Congress for "her many achievements and contributions to the world of jazz and American culture", and performed at The White House for several U.S. presidents. Horn was awarded an honorary Doctor of Music degree from the Berklee College of Music in 2002.

She was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Award in 2005 (the highest honors that the United States bestows upon jazz musicians).

Loads Of Love
Shirley Horn Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I never have been handed much
I never have demanded much
I just want money, a nice position and loads of lovely love
I never have expected much
I never have rejected much
I want my dinner, some smart conversation and loads of lovely love

Some people go for quantity

Others go for quality

I've got the answer now it's not how much but how
I do not ask for bliss I guess it all boils down to this I guess
I just want money and then more money and loads of lovely love
I just want money, a nice position and loads of lovely love
I want my dinner, some smart conversation and loads of lovely love
I just want money and then more money and loads of lovely love

Some people go for quantity
Others go for quality

I've got the answer now it's not how much but how
I do not ask for bliss I guess it all boils down to this I guess
I just want money and then more money and loads of lovely love
Loads of lovely love...

I want my dinner, some smart conversation, a nice position will do
But I want loads and loads and loads of lovely love

Overall Meaning

In Shirley Horn's song Loads of Love, the lyrics express a desire for three things: money, a nice position, and loads of lovely love. The artist claims not to have been handed or demanded much in life, but still craves these things. She seeks both quality and quantity in life, understanding that it's not about how much you have, but how you enjoy what you do have. The song acknowledges that some people prioritize different things, but for the artist, it's about finding a balance of these three desires.

The lyrics of this song can be interpreted as a reflection of the American Dream, where people seek financial success, social status, and a fulfilling personal life. The phrase "loads of love" expresses a yearning for a deep and meaningful love, from both oneself and others. It's not just about romantic love, but rather a general need for love and acceptance.

The lyrics also highlight the value of intellectual stimulation, represented by the desire for "smart conversation" and a nice position. These wants demonstrate a desire for personal growth, as well as financial and social progress. Overall, the song shows that while these desires may seem superficial, they are a necessary part of life for many people.

Line by Line Meaning

I never have been handed much
I have not been given many things in life without working for them

I never have demanded much
I have not asked for much from others

I just want money, a nice position and loads of lovely love
My desires are simple - I want financial security, a comfortable job, and a lot of affection

I never have expected much
I have not had high hopes or demanded unrealistic things from others

I never have rejected much
I have not turned down many opportunities or offers in life

I want my dinner, some smart conversation and loads of lovely love
All I seek is some good food, an intellectual exchange, and abundant affection

Some people go for quantity
Some individuals prefer to have more of something rather than focusing on its quality

Others go for quality
Other people prioritize the quality of something over the quantity

I've got the answer now it's not how much but how
I have discovered that it is not the amount of something that matters, but rather how it is given or received

I do not ask for bliss I guess it all boils down to this I guess
I am not asking for utter happiness, but instead, my desires can be boiled down to these simple things

I just want money and then more money and loads of lovely love
Having financial security is important, and I want an abundance of it, along with an abundance of love

Loads of lovely love...
My most important desire is an overwhelming amount of affection

I want my dinner, some smart conversation, a nice position will do
Beyond love and financial security, I desire nourishing meals and engaging conversation, and a comfortable job would be satisfactory

But I want loads and loads and loads of lovely love
Above all, my deepest desire is an immense and endless supply of affection

Lyrics © IMAGEM U.S. LLC
Written by: R. RODGERS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS