Rollins was born in New York City to parents from the United States Virgin Islands. The youngest of three siblings, he grew up in central Harlem and on Sugar Hill, receiving his first alto saxophone at the age of seven or eight. He attended Edward W. Stitt Junior High School and graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School in East Harlem. Rollins started as a pianist, changed to alto saxophone, and finally switched to tenor in 1946. During his high school years, he played in a band with other future jazz legends Jackie McLean, Kenny Drew, and Art Taylor.
As a saxophonist he had initially been attracted to the jump and R&B sounds of performers like Louis Jordan, but soon became drawn into the mainstream tenor saxophone tradition. The German critic Joachim Berendt described this tradition as sitting between the two poles of the strong sonority of Coleman Hawkins and the light flexible phrasing of Lester Young, which did so much to inspire the fleet improvisation of bebop in the 1950s. Other tenor saxophone influences include Ben Webster and Don Byas. By his mid-teens, Rollins became heavily influenced by alto saxophonist Charlie Parker. During his high school years, he was mentored by the pianist and composer Thelonious Monk, often rehearsing at Monk's apartment.
Rollins has played, at various times, a Selmer Mark VI tenor saxophone and a Buescher Aristocrat. During the 1970s he recorded on soprano saxophone for the album Easy Living. His preferred mouthpieces are made by Otto Link and Berg Larsen. He uses Frederick Hemke medium reeds.
But Not for Me
Sonny Rollins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never tell me dreams come true
Just try it and I'll start a riot
Beatrice Fairfax don't you dare
Ever tell me he will care
I'm certain it's the final curtain
I never want to hear from any cheerful Pollyannas
Who tell you fate supplies a mate
They're writing songs of love but not for me
A lucky star's above but not for me
With love to lead the way I've found more clouds of gray
Than any Russian play could guarantee
I was a fool to fall and get that way
Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day
Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss
I guess he's not for me
I was a fool to fall and get that way
Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day
Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss
The opening lines of Sonny Rollins's "But Not for Me" convey a sense of pessimism and cynicism towards the idea of finding love. The singer rejects the notion that dreams can come true, and scoffs at the idea that anyone could care for them. The reference to Beatrice Fairfax, a popular advice columnist from the early 20th century, further emphasizes the sense of hopelessness the singer feels. The phrase "I'm certain it's the final curtain" suggests that the singer has given up on the idea of finding happiness or love, and is resigned to a life of disappointment.
The second verse continues this theme of disappointment, with the singer expressing disillusionment with the idea of love. The phrase "They're writing songs of love but not for me" suggests a feeling of alienation from the world around them - while others may find love, the singer feels that it is not meant for them. The reference to a "lucky star" underscores this idea, suggesting that others may be blessed with good fortune while the singer remains unlucky. The final lines of the song suggest a bittersweet nostalgia for a lost love - the singer can't dismiss the memory of a kiss, but knows that the person is not meant for them.
Overall, "But Not for Me" is a melancholy meditation on the difficulties of finding love and happiness, and the sense of alienation that can come from feeling like one doesn't fit in with the world around them.
Line by Line Meaning
Old man sunshine listen you
I don't believe in luck or fate
Never tell me dreams come true
I don't believe in the impossible or improbable
Just try it and I'll start a riot
If someone suggests I can find love, I'll disagree and cause a scene
Beatrice Fairfax don't you dare
Don't give me false hope
Ever tell me he will care
Don't tell me someone will fall in love with me
I'm certain it's the final curtain
I'm sure I'll never find love
I never want to hear from any cheerful Pollyannas
I don't want to hear from optimists who think I'll find love
Who tell you fate supplies a mate
I don't believe in destiny or soulmates
It's all bananas
It's all nonsense
They're writing songs of love but not for me
Love songs don't apply to me
A lucky star's above but not for me
I'm not lucky in love
With love to lead the way I've found more clouds of gray
I've been disappointed by love more often than not
Than any Russian play could guarantee
Even a tragic Russian play wouldn't compare to my woes in love
I was a fool to fall and get that way
I was foolish to fall in love
Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day
A sigh of resignation and sadness
Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss
Despite my pessimism, I still remember a good moment in love
I guess he's not for me
But it wasn't meant to be
Lyrics Ā© Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@UkuleleAversion
Horace Silver is an excellent accompanist. Driving and catchy.
@jean-pierrecallut
Personnel Edit
Miles Davis ā Trumpet
Sonny Rollins ā Tenor Saxophone
Horace Silver ā Piano
Percy Heath ā Bass
Kenny Clarke ā Drums
@MarconiJazz
Nothing is better than this!
@Mikeyg161
Be-bop is a style. You can play CRAZY TRAIN in the be-bop style.
It's not designated to only certain tunes, It's HOW you play the tune.
@patricion.lealmartir9440
now i wanna hear crazy train in the be bop style
@harrisg5
I guess.
@zebra3stripes
That lick at 3:07 was madness on tenor, pure madness.
@jimwalker1683
Lol. When in doubt throw a melody in
@JudyK1
Like someone else said, this is classic; classic is my favorite, and I love these guys.š
@alfredocristovamdesouza1129
Miles is my peace.